Copenhagen: A One-Week Stay in Denmark

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Copenhagen. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and get acquainted with the neighborhood on a short afternoon walking tour. Your Travel Director will be available throughout the program for suggestions regarding tours, restaurants and independent activities. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner. (R,D)

A breakfast buffet will be available each morning during your stay. In the heart of Old Copenhagen lies Rosenborg Castle, a 400-year-old “doll house” castle built as a summer home by King Christian XIV. On a morning tour of this small Renaissance gem, admire the crown jewels and other stunning heirlooms of the Danish royal family. Stroll the lovely gardens that surround the castle, complete with a moat and swans, and catch a glimpse of the Royal Guards in their colorful uniforms marching on the parade grounds nearby. After lunch on the banks of the picturesque Nyhaven canal, set off on a scenic cruise, passing many of the city’s famous sites—including the Copenhagen Opera House, Christianborg Palace, the Black Diamond Library, and the iconic Little Mermaid. The remainder of the day is yours to experience Copenhagen as you wish. (B,L)

Begin the day with a guided tour of the Danish Architecture Center, tracing the evolution of Danish architecture from the Viking Age to the present day. Gain insight into current innovations such as the cloudburst plan and the use of harbor water for cooling buildings. Learn about the city’s focus on biking and recreational urban spaces, and find out why Copenhagen consistently wins international prizes for its green profile. The remainder of the day is free for independent pursuits. (B)

This morning, ride the elevator to the top of Amager Bakke, also known as Copenhill, a household waste-to-energy plant that won the World Building of the Year prize at the 2021 World Architecture Festival. Commissioned in 2017, it incinerates the waste of more than 500,000 residents and 45,000 businesses each year, generating heat and electricity for nearly 150,000 homes. The vast rooftop supports a ski slope and a ski lift, a municipal park with trees, and various sports facilities.

Then head to Øens Have, a vibrant urban farm that brims with organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, bees, and even chickens. At its center, sit down to lunch at a seasonal restaurant located within a cozy yurt, and enjoy dishes prepared with ingredients sourced directly from the garden and local producers. Back at the hotel, join fellow travelers and your Smithsonian Journeys Expert for an informal discussion about the day’s discoveries. (B,L)

Just west of Copenhagen lies Roskilde, originally founded by the Vikings in the 10th century and later a spiritual center for Northern Europe. Step into Roskilde Cathedral, a brick Gothic masterpiece and World Heritage site where many of Denmark’s monarchs lie buried. Then visit the Viking Ship Museum to see the remarkable remains of five Viking vessels that were excavated from Roskilde Harbor in the 1950s. Learn about their history and explore the culture and legacy of the Vikings. Savor a memorable lunch at a working organic farm near Hillerød. Then explore Frederiksborg Castle, once home to Danish royalty and now the site of the Museum of National History. After visiting the museum, take a walk in the baroque gardens that surround this beautiful royal residence. Return to Copenhagen for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

In the morning, drive north along the coastal road, passing through seaside communities and yacht harbors. In Rungsted, stop for a curator-led tour of the beautiful home and gardens of Karen Blixen, the Danish author who famously penned Out of Africa. The house remains almost exactly as Blixen decorated it and features several items from her farm in Africa. Visit her personal library and gain a vivid impression of the writer’s day-to-day life. Continue along the coastal road to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, a unique intersection of landscape, architecture, and art. After an introduction by a local guide, you’ll have free time to explore the exhibits and gardens, perhaps stopping for lunch in the museum café. Your final destination is fabled Elsinore and its World Heritage site: Kronborg Castle. Strategically poised on a narrow strait, the majestic castle allowed the Danish king to control access to the Baltic Sea. It was also the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. (B)

Take advantage of a full day to follow your own path and explore Copenhagen as you wish. Gather in the evening for a visit to Tivoli Gardens, a Copenhagen icon since 1843 and the second oldest amusement park in Europe. Catch a glimpse of old-world carnival whimsy as you stroll through a kaleidoscope of enchanting buildings, colorful lights, open-air rides, and stage shows. Toast your Danish sojourn during a farewell dinner at one of Tivoli Garden’s fine restaurants. (B,R,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport for your flight home. (B)

Please note that the progression of this itinerary and its content may be revised due to operational considerations.