Fancy a winter city break but unsure whether to visit Copenhagen in January? Trust me, you won't regret a visit to the Danish city during the winter months, I visited last January and it turned into one of my favourite city breaks ever! I was unsure whether heading to Northern Europe would be a good idea with the shorter days in the darker months, but it turned out to be the cosiest winter trip. From enjoying fresh cinnamon buns at the food markets, to the winter sunshine and blue skies as we wandered the city. We even had snow on our last day there! I also loved that Copenhagen really embraces the winter weather with hygge every evening at the hotels and a chance to enjoy a glass of wine in front of the fire, it was the perfect cosy winter city break.

If you're considering a trip to Copenhagen in January, keep reading this detailed itinerary where I share the perfect line-up for a winter city break in Denmark, including the best things to do in Copenhagen, tips on the best hidden gems in the city and of course, some budget friendly eats and activities.

Planning a trip to Copenhagen in January? Here's where you'll find:

  1. Everything You Need To Know Before A Copenhagen City Break
  2. Is Copenhagen Expensive for a City Break?
  3. Tips For Finding Cheap Flights To Copenhagen
  4. How To Book Hostels and Hotels in Copenhagen
  5. Travel Insurance For A City Break in Copenhagen
  6. SIM Cards in Copenhagen
  7. How to save money on a trip to Copenhagen
  8. 11 Best Things to do in Copenhagen in January
  9. Is Copenhagen Safe For A Solo Female Traveller?

 

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Everything You Need To Know Before A Copenhagen City Break

Is Copenhagen good for a city break?

Copenhagen is one of my favourite cities in Europe for a city break and it makes a perfect destination for a winter trip. The city has lots to do and see, including some amazing hidden gems, and the Danish people are very welcoming. If you love cinnamon buns, dining on international cuisine, hot tubs and saunas by the river and incredible museums and art, Copenhagen could make the perfect winter city break for you.

Is Copenhagen nice to visit in January?

If you're unsure whether January is the right time to visit Copenhagen, let me reassure you that despite the shorter hours of daylight it actually makes the perfect time to visit the Danish city. Copenhagen is the perfect January winter city break for all the cosy vibes. Embrace the concept of hygge and after a day of exploring the city, enjoy cosying up by the fire with a glass of wine. It's the perfect place to visit with a loved one or partner for a weekend of good food and cosy, warm nights.

Is 3 days in Copenhagen too much?

I would recommend 3-4 days for a city break in Copenhagen in January.It's the perfect length of time to allow for travel days and to also give you a chance to see everything and potentially even enjoy a day trip to another destination. For instance, we had a great day trip over to Malmo in Sweden, and the trip never felt rushed. With the shorter hours of daylight, it meant we had plenty of time to make the most of our days and also relax and unwind. This trip was a far slower pace than a usual city break for me, which was different but definitely something I enjoyed and would recommend.

Does Copenhagen have snow in January?

If you're visiting Copenhagen in January, be sure to pack your warm layers! I'm a big believer that there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. For this trip we packed big coats, cosy knits and lots of layers and we were glad we did because it actually snowed on our last day in Copenhagen. The city is magical in the snow and it really is a special sight to witness as it transforms into a winter wonderland. I recommend packing sturdy boots with grippy soles – while the city is good at gritting the streets it is still slippery in places.

Is it worth visiting Denmark in winter?

I actually think it might be better to visit Denmark, and particularly Copenhagen, during the winter instead of the summer. While I have no doubt the city is amazing all year round for a city break, there is something so magical about Copenhagen in January. The snow-topped buildings and cosy hygge every evening really charmed me. If you're considering visiting Denmark in winter, I do really recommend it.

Is Copenhagen Expensive for a City Break?

One thing I heard a lot before visiting Copenhagen is how expensive the city is, it actually was something that had put me off visiting any sooner. However, when I actually did visit, I couldn't believe how budget-friendly it actually was. I actually know someone who managed to do a weekend in Copenhagen for under £100 GBP excluding flights. So you definitely can visit Copenhagen on a budget and still have an amazing time. Here's a rough guide for costs for a Copenhagen winter city break in January:

  • Cheap flights to Copenhagen from London for January 2025 are currently starting from £16 for a return
  • Stay at Ibsens Hotel for £85 per night for a weekend in January (use Booking Genius Rewards for great discounts)

Check out these great budget eats around the city:

Tips For Finding Cheap Flights To Copenhagen

Did you know that January is the cheapest month to fly to Copenhagen? If you're visiting Copenhagen in January, I recommend looking at flights during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. I scored really cheap flights for our trip doing exactly this. Flights to Copenhagen from London for January 2025 are currently starting from £16 for a return. I always check flight prices on Skyscanner before booking, but it's also worth checking direct with Ryanair as they have a lot of sales on at this time of year.

You can fly direct to Copenhagen with airlines including Scandinavian Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Norwegian Air Sweden, American Airlines, Ryanair and Finnair. The flight takes 1 hour and 49 minutes, I recommend trying to book an early flight out and a late flight back, which gives you maximum time in the city. The airport is also super close to the city, just 15 minutes on the train or metro, so you can drop your luggage and get straight out exploring.

>> BOOK FLIGHTS TO COPENHAGEN

Don't forget to check out my blog on 17 Tips for Finding Cheap Flights for any Destination in 2024

How To Book Hostels and Hotels in Copenhagen

There are some beautiful hotels in Copenhagen and if you're looking for a place to stay when you visit in January, make sure to research where you want to stay and how easy it is to get around. I picked the historic Ibsens Hotel in the Nansensgade neighbourhood which we loved, it was right next to one of the biggest food markets in the city and just a short walk from Nørreport, which is Denmark’s busiest train and bus station, making it easy and quick to explore any part of the city. There are lots of great restaurants, bars and attractions within waking distance of the hotel and it makes a perfect base for exploring Copenhagen in January. One thing I really loved about this hotel is that every evening from 5-6pm they have a Cosy Hour when they invite guests to have a glass of wine by the fire in the hotel lobby for hygge – the Danish art of living well. For any solo travellers visiting the city who want the hotel experience, this is a great way to meet other travellers and guests.

>> Book Ibsens Hotel in Copenhagen

If you're visiting on a budget or want an even more recommendations for hotels & hostels in Copenhagen, check out these:

Don't forget to read 25 Ways To Get Cheap Hotel Deals in 2024

Travel Insurance For A City Break in Copenhagen

I never book a trip without travel insurance – it helps with everything from delays and cancelled flights, to lost luggage, injury and illness. Think of it as the back-up you need if anything goes wrong. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance Essential provides coverage in 175+ countries including Denmark, and you have complete control over when your policy starts and stops at any time. They've recently expanded coverage to include adventure sports and electronics theft too. They also cover:

  • Meals & accommodations if you have a travel delay over 12 hours
  • Emergency dental care up to $1000
  • Medical care including prescriptions, emergency care and hospital stays
  • Coverage for lost checked luggage
  • Flights home if something bad happens
  • Continued coverage for visits back home
  • Coverage for motor accidents
  • Coverage for injuries from leisure sports & activities

If you need coverage for a longer period, you might consider looking at their Complete plan - includes all Essential features, plus comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, most countries in the world, including in your home country.

>> Get SafetyWing Insurance now

Read my full blog post on Choosing Travel Insurance for Solo Female Travellers

 

 

SIM Cards in Copenhagen

If you're visiting Copenhagen for a city break, I definitely recommend getting an eSIM for your phone. It makes getting phone connection budget-friendly and super convenient which makes it easy to navigate the trains and public transport. It also makes it easy to reach your hotel, check prices and quickly convert them and of course, look up restaurant recommendations for the evenings. eSIMs start from just $6.90 per day. I always use Holafly and if you use my discount code: ABSOLUTELYLUCY you can get 5% off your eSIMs.

>> Download an eSIM now

How to save money on a trip to Copenhagen

If you are planning to explore the historic sights around Copenhagen and will be using lots of public transport, don't miss getting the CPH Card. There are two options for the card and it gives you access to the following:

  • DISCOVER includes Public Transportation and 80+ Attractions
  • HOP includes the Hop-On Hop-Off buses and 40+ Attractions

Attractions offering discounts or free entry include Tivoli Gardens, Canal Tours, Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg, Museum of Illusions, Copenhagen ZOO, Amalienborg Museum, The Botanical Garden and The National Museum. So, if you're thinking of visiting one or more of these, consider getting the Copenhagen Card to save money!

>> Get the Copenhagen Card

10 Best Things to do in Copenhagen in January

1. Book a Sunset Hot Tub, Sauna & Ice Bath on the River

This was by far my favourite experience when I visited Copenhagen in January. Copenhot is the biggest outdoor spa in Denmark with garden hot tubs, different saunas and sailing hot tubs. It was such a unique thing to do when visiting Denmark and an experience that was made all the more magical by what a hidden gem it was!

Copenhot is located on the banks of the river that runs through Copenhagen and if you book at sunset, you're sure to witness both the stunning sunset over the water, but also the stars come out to play. This place is so lesser known that we actually had it all to ourselves during the couple of hours we had there. I booked us the hot tub, but we also had access to the ice bath which was the coldest one I've ever done! We could even take a bottle of wine in the hot tub with us!

>> Book a visit to Copenhot

2. Visit Freetown Christiana – a unique social experiment (FREE)

Head to popular neighbourhood, Chistianshavn, where you will find one of Denmark's most popular tourist attractions, Freetown Christiana. It's a “free town” of residents who squat on a former military area which was formed in 1971 when a bunch of anarchists and hippies set up camp and created an independent commune, with its owns rules and flag. Denmark eventually accepted Christiania as a radical "social experiment", later giving it legal status.

It's a super interesting place to walk around and visitors are welcome, often the area is most well known for the infamous Pusher Street where you can buy drugs freely, but honestly? I found it much more interesting to take in the unique architectural feel of the town (many of the residents built their homes themselves, and there's a range of eco-restaurants, workshops, galleries and music venues offering all sorts of cultural experiences to check out.

3. Take a trip to Tivoli - the world’s second oldest theme park!

Step back in time when you visit Tivoli, the world's second oldest amusement park which dates back to 1843 and was founded by Georg Carstensen. Among the first visitors to the park was the one and only Hans Christian Anderson and the Danish storyteller used the park as inspiration for his story of The Nightingale. When you visit the popular theme park in Copenhagen, you can ride on a wooden rollercoaster from 1914 which is one of only 7 rollercoasters worldwide with a brakeman aboard on every train.

There are 30 rides plus lots of other events, performances and eateries. It is definitely worth checking what is happening at the park before your visit, they hosted a huge fireworks display during our visit. However, if you do visit Copenhagen in January, please note the park is shut between January 5 and April 4.

>> Book tickets with unlimited rides at Tivoli

4. Eat fresh cinnamon buns at the food markets

No trip to Copenhagen is complete without a cinnamon bun (or 6)! I made it my business to fit in as many as I could during a long weekend in the city in January. My very first one when I arrived was from an amazing bakery stall which I found in Torvehallerne food market, a real foodie gem for visitors to Copenhagen and a favourite with the locals.

I love visiting food markets when I travel to new places, they're usually super affordable and a great way to get the feel for a new city. This street food market was just down the road from Ibsens Hotel and it had some amazing food, wine and eateries. Another great one is Reffen, the most popular street food area in Copenhagen and you can get a water taxi there from The Little Mermaid statue.

Did you know you can book a Best of Danish Pastry Tasting Tour? It's the perfect tour for anyone with a sweet tooth! 

5. Take the train over to Malmø for the day!

Did you know that within 30-45 minutes you can travel from the heart of Copenhagen to Malmø in Sweden? When I found this out, I simply had to plan a day trip over to the nearby city for a little adventure spanning two countries. Take this fun day trip from Copenhagen to Malmø by catching the train from København and you'll arrive the Swedish city within 40 minutes. It's a nice easy walk through the city and there's lots of great places to eat, cute shops and of course, the festive decorations in the town square.

If you visit, you can pop to Fiskehoddorna for delicious fresh fish & chips at the seafood market, then take a walk around the city and stop off at the various street art and murals. Don't miss dinner at Ruth's which is a restaurant, deli and bakery that gets super busy (no surprise there when the food and service is amazing!) If you're a bookworm like me, it's also worth checking out Malmø City Library which is nearby Malmø Castle.

>> Book your train tickets to Malmø

6. Go vintage shopping in Copenhagen

I love vintage shopping, especially when travelling to new places. I find I don't tend to buy many souvenirs from trips, but I love taking home either spices and things for the kitchen or pieces of clothing I can treasure! Copenhagen was an absolute goldmine for amazing vintage shops and after visiting one, I ended up having to visit so many more around the city. I actually bought my boyfriend the most amazing coat from one of the shops and it is still his favourite. I also tried on the most amazing vintage ski suit and was so tempted (even though I've never been skiing lol). If you're thinking of vintage shopping in Copenhagen, these are the shops I recommend visiting:

  • Wasteland Copenhagen
  • Prag Copenhagen
  • Carmen Copenhagen – one of Copenhagen's oldest and best vintage shops
  • Veras Vintage 

These were my favourite stores but you can find lots more online here.

7. Have a coffee at the iconic Nyhavn

One of the most famous sights of the city are the colourful buildings of Nyhavn – this iconic part of town is the perfect place for a stroll along the canal, a coffee or you could even take a boat tour. I recommend visiting in the morning if you want to take photos as that is when the sunlight hits the buildings.

If you're wandering past at night, it's also worth visiting and looks beautiful all lit up with festive lights and bustling streets. Did you know that author Hans Christian Anderson was one of the famous residents of the street? Now you can walk in his footsteps as you explore the area and harbour's rich history and maritime heritage.

>> Book a canal cruise of Nyhavn with a guide

8. Visit the Home of Carlsburg!

One for my beer lovers – you can visit the actual home of Carlsburg and take a tour of the factory. Discover the legendary world of Danish beer and visit this historic brewery to learn more about the popular beer. I skipped this one as I'm not a beer lover, but it's really popular with visitors to Copenhagen so if you do like beer – or fancy learning more about the fascinating tales behind the brand – don't miss out. You also get a free drink included in your ticket price.

>> Book a Brewery Tour at the Home of Carlsburg

Beer lovers might also enjoy this Politically Incorrect Beer Tasting Walking Tour!

9. Visit the Cisterns hidden deep below Søndeemarken

Enter a vast underground world which is home to the city's most unique art space and a must for visitors. Unfortunately this was closed when I visited but I was so sad to miss out. Arrive at the two glass pyramids then head down the steps into the concrete caverns which were the former water reservoirs of the city and would have housed 16 million litres of drinking water.

Now an immersive art gallery, it's like stepping into an catacomb as you wander through the dreamlike labyrinth and explore the underground passages. The gallery is closed between December to March so if you are keen to visit you might want to book a trip outside of those months.

10. Don't miss visiting the National Gallery

One thing that is great about winter city breaks is that the cooler temperatures outside make the perfect conditions for exploring Copenhagen but finding places to head inside and warm up. The National Gallery of Denmark is the perfect place to do this with some incredible displays of art dating back to the 14th century, collections, special exhibitions and much more. Here you will find medieval and Renaissance works and impressive collections of Dutch and Flemish artists, including Rubens, Breughel and Rembrandt. If you love a greenhouse, there's also a very impressive entrance to the building and don't miss a visit to the roof for a view across the city. Entry is free for anyone holding the CPH Card, so if you're planning to visit many of the local sights, definitely look into this to see if you can make your trip even cheaper (you can also use it on public transport)!

>> Get the Copenhagen Card now!

Is Copenhagen Safe For A Solo Female Traveller?

Copenhagen is a great city to visit as a solo female traveller, I felt very safe there and would be happy to take a solo trip to the Danish city. One thing I would recommend if you're planning a solo trip to Copenhagen in January, is to book your accommodation with to suit the kind of trip you would like. For instance, if you're happy to visit the city and enjoy your solo time and not really connect with other travellers, book a hotel and enjoy the Cosy Hour or hygge as a way to meeting other travellers. If you're keen for a more social experience of Copenhagen, I recommend booking a hostel (even if you book a private room) so that you stand the best chance of meeting travellers and connecting with people.

Read this blog on How to Prepare for First Time Solo Travel for more tips on how to meet other travellers.