Today I am sharing a travel post: The Ultimate Copenhagen with Kids Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & Play! You know we love our international travel, from Switzerland and Dubrovnik to Italy and Iceland, here's our latest trip!..
Copenhagen, Denmark Trip
Copenhagen, Denmark, might just be one of the most charming, family-friendly cities we’ve ever visited. It’s clean, easy to navigate, packed with history, and full of hidden gems for kids—from amusement parks to castles to some of the coziest cafés ever.
Last fall, we spent a full week exploring with our four-year-old daughter, Rosalie, and while we packed in plenty of adventure, there were still so many things we didn’t get to. (Which just means we have to go back, right?) Whether you’re visiting in the festive winter months (hello, Christmas markets!) or soaking up the city’s biking culture in warmer weather, there’s something magical about experiencing Copenhagen with kids.
This guide covers everything we loved, everything we ate, and everything we wish we had time for—plus some pro tips on strollers, hotels, and must-visit spots to make your trip as smooth (and fun!) as possible.
✈️ Getting There: LAX to Copenhagen
The flight from Los Angeles to Copenhagen is long, but we came prepared. Rosalie had her iPad loaded with Netflix shows, and overall, she handled the journey like a pro. We arrived tired (because, of course), grabbed a car, and headed straight to Nyhavn—that famously picturesque harbor with colorful houses lining the canal.
The Best Copenhagen Research Resource
Hands down, the best resource I found was the visit Copenhagen website. I used it for browsing playgrounds, parks and so much more. What a great resource.
Let's look at my personal picks and finds from our trip!
🏨 Where to Stay in Copenhagen with Kids (Or Heck, Without Them..)
Here are the two hotels we stayed at, 71 Nyhavn and Villa Copenhagen...
Our First Hotel: 71 Nyhavn Hotel
A beautifully restored old spice warehouse-turned-boutique hotel in the picturesque Nyhavn district. The rooms are small but adorably cozy, and we booked one with a direct water view.
Tips: Book this hotel in advance! The larger rooms fill up first. We upgraded to a room with wraparound windows. Loved! Look out for that ultra-low ceiling height and tiny bathroom though...
- Really attentive and kind staff, quaint hotel but everything is luxurious
- Just the perfect location for feeling away from the chaos of the city, yet still right in the heart of it.
- Walkable - like everywhere in Copenhagen
The best part this time of year? It was just a 2-minute walk to the Nyhavn Christmas Market.
Heads up: Jet lag was real, we never sleep well the first night and do an early breakfast - Rosalie dressed in one glove, a snow hat, a robe, and her stuffed animal.
Our Second Hotel: Villa Copenhagen
Located across from Tivoli Gardens and the train station, this hotel is modern and stylish, but to be honest ... our first night was rough. We were put in a tiny shoebox of a room on the top floor. It had a quaint little window and big bathroom with a tub, but for a kid who loves windows, there wasn't enough light. Thankfully, after some late night correspondence, they upgraded us the next day, and our spacious new room overlooked the train station and Tivoli Gardens. Slightly higher rate, but it was worth it to upgrade the room.
- Scandinavian bedding style: Twin duvets on a big bed—so cozy, I bought the same bedding setup when we got home.
- Delicious hotel breakfast: Rosalie got obsessed with ordering fruit bowls every morning and eating them in the middle of the night.
- Walkable: like everywhere in Copenhagen
- Trains: Literally across the street from the train station, so you get a bit of big city texture from that mood, but also super convenient if you want to do day trips via train!
- Larger: Eclectic hotel guests, more of an urban feel than our first hotel.
- OBSESSED with the glowy light in our room....
Two other hotels we looked into and heard good things about:
- Scandic Front Hotel – A stylish hotel located in Copenhagen’s popular Nyhavn harbor district, offering modern rooms with views of the Opera House.
- Nobis Hotel Copenhagen – A luxurious design hotel situated in the former Royal Danish Conservatory of Music, blending historic architecture with contemporary Scandinavian design.
🚀 Pro-Tip: Stroller Rental in Copenhagen
Navigating Copenhagen with kids is a breeze, thanks in part to services like Easygoing, which offers high-quality stroller rentals delivered straight to your hotel.
The process was seamless: they delivered the stroller to our hotel upon arrival and picked it up when we left. If you’re visiting in winter, definitely rent the optional rain cover—it was a lifesaver in the Copenhagen drizzle!
Other companies like Babonbo and BabyQuip also offer stroller rentals with delivery options to your accommodation.
🎡 What to Do in Copenhagen with Kids
Tivoli Gardens – A Must-Visit for Kids
We went three separate times because it was that magical! The best part? No Disneyland-style lines. SERIOUSLY.
- Hans Christian Andersen Ride – A fairytale boat ride we rode multiple times.
- Vintage Carnival Games – Whack-a-mole and claw machines? Rosalie was obsessed.
- The Pirate Ship Ride – Looks intense but is so much fun. Rosalie did it on repeat..
- Christmas Magic: One day, the park was covered in golden fall leaves. The next, it was dusted in fake snow that looked totally real.
📝 Important: Tivoli isn’t open year-round—check opening dates before planning your trip.
Traffic Playground - Such a Unique Gem
One of the best surprises of the trip was the Children’s Traffic Playground (Trafiklegepladsen)—it’s like a tiny city made just for kids, complete with little roads, traffic lights, and roundabouts. Kids can ride bikes or scooters (you can rent them there if you don’t have your own) and learn the rules of the road in the most hands-on, adorable way. Rosalie took it very seriously, stopping at red lights and navigating turns like a pro.
Children's Museum - Get There Early
Then there’s the Children’s Museum at the National Museum of Denmark, which was such a fun break from the usual museum experience. It’s a fully interactive space where kids can dress up in historical costumes, climb aboard a Viking ship, and even step inside a recreated old-fashioned grocery store, where they can ‘shop’ and run the register. We easily could’ve spent hours there.
Rosenborg Castle + Parks - Big Win
Copenhagen also has some amazing green spaces—the King’s Garden (Rosenborg Castle Gardens) is a beautiful spot to run around, and the playground there was a hit. The castle itself is a quick visit that is very cool to see. Rosalie loved seeing the throne chairs and even climbing the tall spiral stairs. The park around the corner has wooden dragons! Super fun and very GOT vibes.
🛍️ More Kid-Friendly Attractions in Copenhagen
When doing Copenhagen with kids, you need plenty of options, spread over town. Well here are a few we had on our list, but didn't quite get to..
- Experimentarium – A hands-on science museum with giant bubbles, water play, and interactive exhibits. Wish I had seen this one!
- The Round Tower – A 17th-century spiral tower with stunning city views. Next time for sure, it sounds so cool.
- Tycho Brahe Planetarium – We wanted to go here, but it was closed. Perfect for space-loving kids.
- Copenhagen Zoo – Features pandas, polar bears, and a cool Arctic Ring exhibit.
- The Blue Planet Aquarium – Walk through a shark tunnel and check out the interactive touch pools. Everyone raved about it to us, but we felt like we had aquariums back home..
🍽️ Where to Eat in Copenhagen (Vegan-Friendly!)
Bistro Verde - Our favorite meal of the trip—I would have eaten here every day.
• We loved our meal: Pumpkin chestnut soup, Crispy potatoes, hummus, fiery tofu, BBQ mushroom sandwich, affogato dessert.
Fun fact: Rosalie? Passed out asleep through the entire meal.
GRØD – Fancy Porridge Café - Located inside Torvehallerne Market, this place serves the coziest, creamiest oat bowls with all the toppings.
• VEGAN RICE PUDDING + MULLED CIDER. Enough said.
RUG Bakery (And Coffee Shop) - Located inside Villa Copenhagen
....You guys there are so many amazing vegan-friendly dining options in Copenhagen. We barely scratched the surface. Here are a few we missed..
(Untested, but Highly Reviewed..)
Vegan Dining Options
- ARK – Upscale vegan tasting menu with seasonal ingredients.
- Bistro Lupa – Sustainable, plant-based bistro with creative dishes.
- Beyla – Vegan brunch and dinner spot with natural wines.
- Beyla (by Souls) – Casual plant-based eatery with burgers, ramen, and salads.
- SimpleRAW – Mostly raw, vegan restaurant with bowls, burgers, and rice paper rolls.
- Kaf – 100% vegan café known for cakes and pastries.
- Landbageriet – Vegan-friendly bakery near Nørreport Station with croissants and cinnamon buns.
✨ Final Thoughts
Copenhagen with kids is a dream! Copenhagen is one of the best places we’ve taken Rosalie. It’s walkable, easygoing, and full of cozy vibes—even in the cold. If you’re visiting with a toddler, November-December is a magical time, but spring/summer would be amazing too (fewer layers, more biking!).
Would we go back? Absolutely. And probably straight to Tivoli Gardens first.
📌 Travel Resources
🏨 Hotels:
🎡 Attractions:
🚼 Stroller Rental:
🍽️ Where to Eat:
Thanks for reading! Check out more of my travel posts.
