From sunlit harbor swims to candlelit winter strolls, Copenhagen has a season for every kind of traveler — here's when to go. The best time to visit Copenhagen is from May to September, when the Danish capital comes alive with outdoor cafés, harbor swims, bike rides and festivals under long northern daylight hours.
Best Time to Visit Copenhagen Like so many of the Scandinavian cities, Copenhagen is liveliest in spring & summer, with the warm weather and long daylight hours. May, June and September are the best. Many people go on holiday in July, so it can be quieter. And tourism peaks in August, so you might run into crowds.
While the weather isn't as warm as what you'll find in the summer (spring daytime temps hover in the low 40s to high 50s), March, April and May see fewer crowds, which translates to cheaper airfare and lower hotel rates.
It is one of the best European cities for a short break. And for many reasons. It's very walkable and yet there is so much to see; it's historic and yet super cool; and the food is out of this world. You could easily spend longer than 2 days in Copenhagen, and if you have the time, we recommend 3 or 4 days.
Rain falls throughout the year in Copenhagen. The month with the most rain in Copenhagen is August, with an average rainfall of 2.1 inches. The month with the least rain in Copenhagen is April, with an average rainfall of 1.1 inches.
22 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Copenhagen 🇩🇰 (By a Local)
Is Copenhagen expensive to visit?
Yes, Copenhagen ranks among Europe's pricier cities—but strategic choices can make it affordable. For 2025, budget travelers can manage €80–100/day, while mid-range visitors spend €150–250/day.
July is the sunniest month of the year with an average of over seven hours of sunshine a day. July is the warmest month with an average daytime high of 21 °C.
In general, I recommend that visitors stay in the city center or very close to it as this puts you in a good position to cycle and wander about the city's streets. This is the way Copenhagen was meant to be enjoyed!
Language. In Copenhagen, the mother tongue is Danish, which is closely related to both Swedish and Norwegian. In general Danes speak English extremely well, and some even German and French.
While some larger tourist attractions or hotels may accept euros in Denmark, it's by no means guaranteed. You'll definitely need Danish kroner for most of your purchases. For travellers, this means it's wise to stock up on Danish krone before you go.
January in Copenhagen is typically the coldest month, characterized by chilly temperatures and short daylight hours. Average temperatures hover around 0°C (32°F), often dipping below freezing. Expect frosty mornings and the possibility of snow, which can transform the city into a winter wonderland.
Winter months, from November to February, are typically the best time to see the Northern Lights in Copenhagen. During this time, the nights are longer, providing more darkness for the auroras to be visible.
London, also with a marine west coast climate, is generally warmer than Copenhagen. Edinburgh, although warmer than Copenhagen, has more temperature variation and less sunlight.
The best time to visit Denmark is May-Aug when the days are at their longest, temperatures are mild and the countryside is in full bloom. Spring and autumn are best for birdwatching on the west coast, with migrant species passing through.
Copenhagen is a very walkable city so I encourage you to take advantage of that… Plus, while walking around you may stumble upon things you wouldn't have known about or been able to plan for ahead of time.
Denmark uses the krone as its currency and does not use the euro, having negotiated the right to opt out from participation under the Maastricht Treaty of 1992.
Cards are widely accepted in Denmark and still continue to grow in popularity. If you plan on visiting big cities such as Copenhagen, you likely won't have to use cash at all. It's also much more convenient to tap your card instead of dealing with leftover change you won't be able to use back home.
Most taxi drivers at Copenhagen Airport speak and understand English, and all authorized taxis are equipped with GPS navigation. It's recommended to show the driver your destination address on a piece of paper or as a screenshot on your phone before the trip begins.
There's more than one type of 'Danish' in Denmark – and to make things even more confusing, we call them wienerbrød or Viennese bread, as the inspiration for them came from a trip a Danish baker took to Vienna back in the 19th century.