In short
Split three days across three parts of the city: the harbour around Nyhavn and Amalienborg, a day at Tivoli, and a day of walking and playing in Nørrebro. If the rain settles in, swap Nørrebro for Experimentarium in Hellerup. A fare-paying adult can take up to two children under 12 on public transport for free.
At a glance
- Length
- 3 days from one base, no car needed
- Day 1
- Nyhavn, the harbour and Amalienborg
- Day 2
- Tivoli Gardens
- Day 3
- Nørrebro, with a playground and Superkilen
- If it rains
- Experimentarium in Hellerup, two to three hours
- Getting around
- On foot, metro and bus; under-12s travel free
Pick your Tivoli day first, using the park's seasonal calendar. Keep the Nørrebro day flexible so you can swap it for the hands-on science centre in Hellerup if the rain settles in.
Copenhagen with kids at a glance
| Day | Area | Route |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old town and waterfront | Kongens Nytorv → Nyhavn → Amalienborg, with time for a canal boat if you fancy it. |
| 2 | Tivoli and the edge of Vesterbro | Copenhagen Central Station → Tivoli Gardens → food hall or dinner in Vesterbro. |
| 3 | Nørrebro | Nørrebros Runddel → Assistens Cemetery → Jægersborggade → Nørrebroparken, with an optional walk to Superkilen. |
| Wet-weather swap | Hellerup | Spend a morning or afternoon at Experimentarium. |
Day 1: from Nyhavn to the palace square
Get off the metro at Kongens Nytorv and walk down to Nyhavn. The brightly painted houses make an easy first stop. Follow the quay out to the wider harbour and carry on along the water towards Amalienborg. If your children would enjoy seeing the royal guards, aim to reach the palace square for the changing of the guard at noon.
For a break from walking, Stromma's Classic Canal Tour takes about an hour and has departures from Nyhavn. On this operator's tour, pushchairs stay ashore, so think about whether a carrier would suit your family. On an arrival afternoon, you can simply explore the quay and stop for a snack before checking in.
Day 2: Tivoli Gardens and an easy dinner
Tivoli Gardens is next to Copenhagen Central Station, on the edge of Vesterbro. With younger children, start at the Rasmus Klump playground and see which rides suit their age and height. Older children can pick a ride each before you go, so you know where to head first.
Tivoli sells admission and a combined admission and ride pass. Check the ride requirements before deciding what to buy, then look up the season and hours for your dates. An afternoon start makes sense if seeing the lights come on is part of the fun and your children are happy to stay out later.
For a quick dinner, try Tivoli Food Hall, which has a street entrance and stalls where everyone can choose something different. If the family is still up for a walk, go further into Vesterbro to eat in Kødbyen, the old meatpacking district.
Day 3: a slow morning in Nørrebro
Take the M3 metro to Nørrebros Runddel. For a gentle start, walk through Assistens Cemetery, where Hans Christian Andersen is buried. Then pick up something from a bakery on Jægersborggade and head to Nørrebroparken. The playground has a plane, ships and a whale. Leave time for a picnic and a good stretch of play here.
If you have the afternoon free, continue to Superkilen. Its red square, black plaza with white lines and green park give children three very different spaces to explore. Head back from Nørrebro station. If you have a train or flight to catch, make the bakery and the playground your whole outing.
What to do with kids in Copenhagen when it rains
Allow two to three hours for Experimentarium, the science centre in Hellerup. The Miniverse is designed for ages 1 to 5. Older siblings can make bubbles in the Bubblearium or try the interactive ball track in The Port. It's also an option for your second day if you're visiting between Tivoli seasons.
One route from central Copenhagen is the M3 to Poul Henningsens Plads, followed by bus 1A to Tuborg Boulevard (Strandvejen) and a short walk. Check the opening hours and the date on any advance ticket.
Where to stay and how to get around
Stay near Kongens Nytorv if you'd like the harbour on your doorstep and a direct ride from the airport on the M2. The area around Copenhagen Central Station and Tivoli suits families arriving by rail or planning to stay for the park lights. If bedtime is early, look for a room on a quieter side street.
Walk most of the first two days, take the metro to Nørrebro and use the metro and bus for Experimentarium. A fare-paying adult can take up to two children under 12 on public transport for free. Children aged 12 to 15 need their own child ticket.
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Sources: VisitCopenhagen; Tivoli; Stromma; Experimentarium; Metroen; DOT; City of Copenhagen.