Christmas in Copenhagen: Festive Itinerary, Markets & Best Things to Do
I’ve been to Copenhagen many times over the years, but never during the festive season. This Christmas trip was all about discovering whether Copenhagen truly lives up to its reputation as one of Europe’s most magical winter destinations.
From twinkling Christmas markets and cosy food halls to saunas, boat trips and fairytale theme parks, this is a complete festive itinerary for Copenhagen. It includes where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do at Christmas in Copenhagen.
I went on a festive City Break to Copenhagen with Jet2Holidays. To find flights to Copenhagen with Jet2 search here. This is a sponsored post.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
We stayed at Scandic Kødbyen Hotel, located in the trendy Vesterbro area, also known as Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District.
This is a brilliant location if you want to experience the cooler, more local side of the city. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from the Metro, making it easy to reach central Copenhagen, and only a minute from some of the city’s best bars, cafés and restaurants in the meat packing district.
The rooms are compact but well designed, with everything you need for a city break. Communal areas feature modern Scandinavian interiors with a warm, cosy feel – especially welcome after a day exploring in the cold.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the hotels bar and restaurant area comes alive with DJs, drinks and a lively atmosphere. This is a great place to stay for groups or a fun weekend trip to Copenhagen. If you’re looking for total peace and quiet, this may not be the best choice.
Things to Do in Copenhagen at Christmas
Copenhagen Food Tour by Mie & Friends
Copenhagen is renowned as a one of the food capitals of the world.
One of the best ways to experience Copenhagen is through its food. So a food tour is ideal for understanding the city’s culture, architecture and culinary traditions.
Our guide, Jacob, introduced us to both classic Danish dishes and current food trends.
Highlights included:
• Torvehallerne, Copenhagen’s famous covered food market
• Traditional frikadeller (Danish meatballs)
• Gløgg, Danish mulled wine
• Liquorice sweets
• Open-faced Danish sandwiches
• A stop at Gaza Grill in the Meatpacking District, one of the coolest foodie areas
Danish Saunas and Hot Tubs at CopenHot
A must-do experience in Copenhagen is visiting a Danish sauna. There are several around the city, but the most photogenic is CopenHot.
CopenHot offers outdoor hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges. Visit in the evening when fairy lights create a magical, atmospheric setting. Soaking in a hot tub while listening to Nina Simone or Billie Holiday is a magical winter experience.
You can order mulled wine (or plenty of water) while relaxing. Bring swimwear, flip-flops and a warm hat. Towels and showers are provided. It’s a great wholesome activity for groups and good for wellness lovers.
Reffen Street Food Market (above)
Reffen is a regenerated industrial area that has become a creative, bohemian hub. It’s home to one of Copenhagen’s coolest food markets. It’s very close to CopenHot.
The market is built from refurbished shipping containers and serves food from all over the world. In summer it’s buzzing and vibrant. In winter, it becomes cosy with open fire pits and heaters.
Nearby is La Banchina, (above) a waterside restaurant known for its intimate supper clubs. Check online to see what’s on.
This was my favourite meal of the trip: a delicious five-course fish tasting menu with wine pairings for around £60 per person – incredible value for the quality and in comparison with other restaurants in the city.
Christmas Markets in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has several Christmas markets, many within walking distance of each other. Visit after dark, when they feel most magical. In December, sunset is at around 4pm, making early evenings perfect for festive exploring.
We visited three markets in one evening as they were all within 5-10 minutes walking distance of each other.
Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market
We started our route at Kongens Nytorv Metro Station, close to Hotel d’Angleterre and the iconic Nyhavn area, this is one of the city’s largest Christmas markets.
There’s a central ice-skating rink, festive stalls and beautiful surroundings. You can stroll towards Nyhavn and enjoy views of the colourful harbour. The harbour front is filled with cafes and restaurants with vibrant outdoor seating areas.
Højbro Plads Christmas Market
Just a six-minute walk away from Kongens Nytorv is Højbro Plads market. It’s small but charming. Located in one of Copenhagen’s most luxurious shopping areas, surrounded by brands like Prada, Georg Jensen and Louis Vuitton.
Højbro Plads market is compact, cute and easy to explore in a short amount of time. We walked through for 15 minutes before heading to the next market. It’s a beautiful festive walking route.
H.C. Andersen Christmas Market
An eight-minute walk from Kongens Nytorv, this market is themed around Denmark’s most famous storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen. It’s whimsical and traditional, with a fairytale feel that suits Copenhagen perfectly.
I would say that this market has the most quintessentially traditional aesthetic. With cute wooden huts, plenty of instagram friendly, interactive displays, like a sleigh you can sit in, giant fairy lit teddy bear sculptures and a Christmas tree you can walk through. It also had the best food options with good seating areas.
The Best Christmas Market in Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens
Without question, Tivoli Gardens is the best Christmas market in Copenhagen. It does however incur an entry fee, unlike the other markets which are free to visit.
Opened in 1843, Tivoli is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks and famously inspired Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. At Christmas, it transforms into a glowing fairytale world filled with lights, decorations and festive stalls.
Arrive around 3:30pm to experience it in daylight, then stay as it transitions into an enchanting, illuminated winter wonderland.
Food options range from excellent casual festive food courts to fine dining at Nimb, one of Copenhagen’s most prestigious restaurants. There are several restaurants in the park including Chinese, Bavarian and even a Wagamamas!
I’ve visited many Christmas markets in many countries, and I must say, Tivoli is in my top 5 markets in the world.
Boat Trip with Hey Captain (above)
Seeing Copenhagen from the water is both relaxing and educational. We joined a Hey Captain boat tour for a two-hour sailing experience through the city’s canals.
Our captain, Sam, shared fascinating stories about Copenhagen’s industrial and architectural history while serving mulled wine and snacks. It’s a wonderful way to see the city from a different perspective during winter.
Spa Day at Manon Les Suites
No trip of mine is complete without a spa day. To finish the trip, I visited the Instagram-famous Manon Les Suites Spa. Spa guests who are not staying at the hotel can pre-book a 4 hour day pass to experience the magic of this enchanting spa.
This Balinese-inspired indoor spa is one of the most beautiful in Scandinavia. The central jungle pool, known as the Flying Fish pool, is warm, dreamy and incredibly photogenic. Spending a few hours here was pure bliss and the perfect way to end a festive Copenhagen trip.
Towels, robes, slippers, and lockers are all provided, along with the most amazing smelling bath and shower products. The mini rooftop spa circuit with sauna, steam room and ice bucket shower are all part of the experience.
Plan Your Festive Trip to Copenhagen
For more information on festive city breaks with Jet2holidays click here. And to find out about flights from Leeds Bradford Airport check here.
I hope you enjoyed my festive itinerary for Copenhagen. If you did, follow me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @bonnierakhit for more luxury travel inspiration, festive trips and hotel reviews.
And for more of London Festive Lights walking route click here.
Bon voyage, Bonnie x
