Discover Copenhagen: Best City Center Highlights from the Cruise Port
The Copenhagen cruise port, located in the capital city of Denmark, is a significant stop on many Baltic cruise itineraries. Many cruise lines, such as Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, frequently include Copenhagen in their routes, and I visited there aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam.
Related: Check out my video review of Zuiderdam.
Copenhagen is a city of 800,0000 residents, known for its historic sites, rich cultural heritage and mix of old-world charm and modern amenities. The city is known for its bike-friendly streets (but not quite as crazy with that as Amsterdam) and vibrant food scene, including the famous open-faced sandwiches known as smørrebrød, which is a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich that typically features a slice of dense, dark rye bread topped with a variety of ingredients.
How Far is the Copenhagen Cruise Port to the City Center?
Copenhagen features several cruise terminals, with the main one being Oceankaj, located in the Nordhavn district. If you’re cruising to Copenhagen, this is likely your terminal. It’s small-ish in size, and unlike many other ports in Baltic itineraries, this one isn’t walkable because the Oceankaj cruise terminal is about 6 miles from Copenhagen’s city center.
It typically takes 20-25 minutes by taxi or car and around 30-35 minutes by public transport, which is affordable at just around $4 USD per ride. The Copenhagen Tourism Board has a fantastic website with info specifically for cruisers, including public transportation options from port. Ride-sharing services like Uber are available in Copenhagen, providing another convenient way to reach the city center, and it runs around $16-25 each way to get there.
While I typically prefer independent excursions, on my visit to this port, I participated in a cruise line-sponsored excursion, the Viking Museum, which took us a bit out of Copenhagen. The excursion buses were located immediately outside the terminal, which was convenient, especially as it rained that day.
Holland America Line offers cruisers a shuttle to Norges Porten by Inugsuk, near the Little Mermaid (more on that in a moment), from the pier. The shuttle costs $19.95 per person for unlimited use and runs approximately every 30 minutes. This is an affordable option if you’re exploring on your own, although, as noted above, an Uber may be cheaper unless you’re traveling solo.
Top Things to Do in Copenhagen
European cruise excursions tend to be quite expensive and somewhat limited, so if you’re looking for things to do in Copenhagen, here are some of the top choices. You’ll likely find some of these offered as official cruise line excursions, or you can venture out and explore them on your own. Just make sure you’re aware first of the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus
I had heard of the “hop on bus” option in major tourist cities, but it really got on my radar when I kept seeing these everywhere at port cities on my Baltic cruise, as they almost always include a stop at the pier to pick up cruisers, which offers an affordable and at-your-own-pace way to see that specific port city.
While I don’t always think this is the best option for all port destinations (for instance, in Kristiansand you can take the tourist train at a lower cost, or simply just walk everywhere), but for ports like this where the pier is located a good distance from the city center and formal excursions are way expensive, I think it’s a fantastic option. I also don’t like feeling trapped with excursions, and prefer to explore freely at my own pace.
Here, in Copenhagen, the hop-on hop-off bus is $33 per person and allows you to see lots of the city’s top sites, many of the ones I detail below.
The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue)
The Little Mermaid statue, one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks, is located about 2.5 miles from the cruise port, making it a 45-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, the statue sits on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade. There is no entrance fee to visit the statue.
Visitors can take photos and enjoy the surrounding area, which includes parks and walking paths along the waterfront. Despite its relatively small size, the statue attracts many visitors due to its cultural significance and setting. It’s a great (free) quick stop for a memorable photo opp, en route from the cruise terminal to Copenhagen’s city center.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens, located in the heart of Copenhagen, is about 3.5 miles from the cruise port. It’s a 15-minute taxi/Uber ride or a 30-minute trip by public transport. Tivoli Gardens is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, offering rides, games, gardens, and entertainment. Admission costs around $20 USD.
The park features a variety of attractions, from thrilling rides to beautiful flower gardens. Visitors can enjoy live performances, dine at one of the many restaurants, and experience the park’s unique charm, especially when illuminated at night. Tivoli Gardens is a must-visit for both families and adults looking for fun and relaxation.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s famous 17th-century waterfront, is located about 3 miles from the cruise port, a 20-minute ride by car, or a 40-minute walk. This historic area is known for its colorful buildings, restaurants, and bars lining the canal. There is no entrance fee to visit Nyhavn, which is great for budget-conscious cruisers.
Visitors can stroll along the waterfront, enjoy a meal or drink at one of the many outdoor cafes, and take a boat tour of the canals. Nyhavn is also a great place to learn about Copenhagen’s maritime history, with several historic ships docked along the canal. The vibrant atmosphere makes it a favorite spot for both tourists and locals.
Rosenborg Castle (Rosenborg Slot)
Rosenborg Castle, located in central Copenhagen, is about 3 miles from the cruise port. It’s a 15-minute taxi ride or a 30-minute trip by public transport. The castle, built in the early 17th century, houses the Danish crown jewels and regalia. Admission costs around $15 USD.
Visitors can explore the castle’s lavish rooms, historical artifacts, and beautiful gardens. The treasury, which displays the crown jewels, highlights the visit. The castle and its surroundings glimpse Denmark’s royal history and architectural splendor.
The National Museum of Denmark (National museet)
The National Museum of Denmark, located in the city center, is about 3 miles from the cruise port, a 15-minute taxi ride or a 30-minute trip by public transport. The museum offers extensive exhibits on Danish history and culture, from prehistoric times to the present. Admission is free, though some special exhibits may have a fee.
Visitors can explore various exhibits, including Viking artifacts, medieval history, and modern cultural displays. The museum also offers interactive exhibits and educational programs for all ages, making it a great destination for families and history enthusiasts.
Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum is located in nearby Roskilde, about 25 miles west of Copenhagen, and given its distance from the terminal, which is about 45 minutes by car or bus, I highly recommend you do this as a cruise line-sponsored excursion if this is a destination you’d like to visit. That’s what I did on my visit.
Related: Learn about the pros and cons of independent vs. cruise line excursions.
This renowned cultural attraction showcases five original Viking ships from the 11th century, known as the Skuldelev ships. These ships were excavated from the Roskilde Fjord in the 1960s, where they had been deliberately sunk to form a blockade against enemy naval forces. The museum features these reconstructed ships, allowing visitors to explore Viking maritime heritage.
I found it fascinating to see actual ship remnants and to learn more about Viking history. The museum even has a replica shipyard located outside, which was neat. While I didn’t love the long bus ride to and from the museum, it was worth the journey, especially since the excursion also included quick stops at Roskilde Cathedral and Hvedstrup Church, which took us through the quaint Hvedstrup Parish.
Language and Currency
The official language of Copenhagen and the entire country of Denmark is Danish, although many residents also speak English, especially in tourist areas. During our visit, all of the vendors we interacted with were fluent in English.
The official currency in Copenhagen and throughout Denmark is the Danish Krone (DKK), and most vendors do not accept US currency and may or may not accept the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most European locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
Copenhagen Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The Copenhagen, Denmark cruise ship schedule can be found on Cruisemapper.
Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Americans on European cruises with substantial time zone differences, and itineraries may result in time changes during the cruise. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Copenhagen follows Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 during standard time, and Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2 during daylight saving time. However, please note that time zones and daylight saving time rules may change, so double-checking the current local time when planning travel or activities is always a good idea.
Many cruise lines operate on “ship time” corresponding with the embarkation point, so if your cruise sails from Amsterdam or Ijmuiden, which follows the Central European Time (CET) zone.
