If you’re looking for the perfect day trips from Copenhagen, I’ve got the best 4 day trips you can add to your itinerary. Copenhagen’s convenient location made it a great base for me to venture out to other parts of Northern Europe. Although the Danish Capital itself has a ton to do, there’s a world of adventure just a short train ride away. From the charming streets of Malmö in Sweden to the historic town of Flensburg in Germany, and the stunning cliffs of Møns Klint, these destinations are all hidden gems from Copenhagen. In this guide, we’ll explore the best places to visit, all within easy reach from Copenhagen.
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Day Trip to Malmo, Sweden
A day trip to the Swedish city of Malmö is one of the best day trips you can take becaus it’s only 40 minutes away ! It’s easy to have a day of exploration to the picturesque city of Malmo, Sweden’s third-largest city.
Start your morning from the city center by taking an early morning train from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö. I took an 8:30 am train, and bought a one way ticket on the Omio website a few minutes before departure for $12 USD. The train ride was a 40 minute direct train with a scenic drive over øresund bridge. If you’re visiting during the peak season, I recommend buying a few days in advance. Don’t forget your passport for passport control.
Once you arrive at Malmö Central Station, make a stop at St. Peter’s Church, on the way to grab breakfast. St Peter’s church is a stunning Gothic masterpiece dating back to the 14th century. The interior of this church was simple, but one of the most beautiful I’ve seen to date.
After admiring the architecture, I took a 15 minute stroll over to a cute little cafe, Hollandia Cafe for a simple breakfast. This charming bakery had a nice array of sweet and savory eats. The outdoor seating surrounded by flowers made for the perfect morning scene and people watching.
Once you’ve fueled up at breakfast, take a leisurely walk to Malmö Library, renowned for its award-winning modern architecture. When you arrive you can peruse the aisles, but make sure to take the elevator to the top floor for the iconic view from the balcony overlooking the floor to ceiling windows.
Next stop is Malmö Castle, it’s a must-visit attraction in the city. On the way there I walked through the Gorgeous Gamla Kykogarden, a stunning cemetery garden. The Castle itself has multiple exhibtions , including an Aquarium, Natural History exhibit, Art gallery and more. I paid for a ticket of about $5 USD at the front desk which included the entry to all of the exhibits. This is the perfect place to gain valuable insight into Sweden’s history, so I spent about 2 hours exploring everything. I learned a ton about the history of the castle which has been there since the 14th century. It is one of the oldest Renaissance Castles in Scandinavia. There’s a restaurant on the castle grounds if you want to grab snack or quick bite.
After exploring the castle, take a 30 minute walk or use public transportation to get to Ribersborg beach. There you can relax and take in views of the HSB Turning Torso building. The Torso building is the tallest building in Scandinavia. When you’re coming in on the train, you may also catch a glimpse of Torso, so if that’s enough for you, you can skip going to the beach all together. I skipped going to the beach because it was spring and I did see Torso on the train. During the summer months, it may be a nice beach break to add to your day. After exploring all morning, you’re probably hungry. I treated myself to a traditional Swedish dish at Mello Yello. I did not have a reservation and I simply walked in.
There are tons of other restaurants in the downtown area near Mello Yello, so check out any other restaurant that catches your attention. I had Wallenbergare, a classic Swedish dish consisting of ground veal or beef shaped into patties, that is breaded and fried, and served with gravy and lingonberry jam. Other traditional Swedish dishes to try are Kottbullar,Biff à la Lindström,and Kalvsylta.
Next up, make your way to Malmö Konsthall museum. This museum with striking modern sculptures and art captivated my imagination. Best part? Admission was completely free! There’s a workshop in the back of the museum where there are various art supplies that let you create your own drawings, paintings and sculptures. It was nice to slow down a bit to create art, it was very therapeutic. After Malmo Konsthall, head to Folkets Park. I had a nice long walk where I slowed down to admire the stunning architecture and street art that I came across. Once at the park, I had some ice cream while enjoying the scenery and people watching. This park is a popular spot where locals gather to relax and unwind. There was a mini-golf course at the park if you’re in the mood to play a few rounds.
As the day starts to wind down, make your way back to Central Station for the train journey back to Copenhagen. But, not before making one last pit stop at City Boats Trambatar to rent a pedal boat. This place is walk-in only, and the price starts at about $14 USD for 30 minutes. It’ll be a nice way to end your time in Malmo and enjoy views from the canal. After this, it’s time to return to Malmo Central Station and end your day trip. I bought my ticket on the Omio website a few minutes before departure once again, but during the summer months I suggest buying it in advance.
Day trip to the Forest Tower and Møns Klint
For the adventure seekers and nature lovers, a trip from Copenhagen to Mons Klint and the Forest Tower is the perfect. This day trip is all about exploring the Danish countryside wonders of the Forest Tower and Mons Klint. The Camp Adventure Tower in Denmark is a stunning architectural marvel, the tallest observation tower in the country. It has great views of the surrounding forest canopy. Mons Klint is a hidden gem in Denmark, it’s a stunning chalk cliff formation that overlooks the Baltic Sea with the most picturesque hiking trails, and turquoise blue waters. This was not something I expected to see in Denmark. The day trip is an absolute must for any nature lover.
I booked a day tour that included a visit to the Forest Tower and Mons Klint, but another option is to rent a car. The meeting point was close to Central station and a mere 15 minute walk from my hotel. On my way to the meeting point I grabbed a quick breakfast at 7-Eleven consisting of a banana, a croissant and a smoothie which I ate on the van. The shuttle van departed at 9:00 am and the ride was pretty comfortable, had free wifi and water. The driver and guide introduced himself and gave us a brief context of places we drove by on the 45 minute drive to the 1st stop, the Forest Tower.
The Forest Tower is an observation deck located in the Gisselfeld Klosters Skove forest built in 2019. The tower is made of steel, stands at 147 ft tall and has a spiral walkway to the top. Once you climb up to the top, you will get awesome views of the forest canopy and surrounding area landscape. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Sweden.
We reached the Forest Tower at around 10:00 am, and bought the entry tickets at the kiosks. The trail to the tower is a well maintained boardwalk of about ½ mile each way. It takes about 30- 40 minutes round trip to the tower depending on your pace. I would consider this a very easy walk and the boardwalk trail makes it very accessible. There’s a cafe on site if you want to get coffee or a snack at the entrance of the trail. You’ll have about 1 hour and 30 mins to explore the Forest Tower which is more than enough.
At around 11:30 am, we departed from the Forest Tower and hopped back on the shuttle bus for another 45-minute drive to Mons Klint. The cliffs of Møn reach 128 meters high perched alongside the Baltic sea. The surrounding water has beautiful shades of turquoise and emarald blue, something you wouldn’t expect in Denmark since it’s not really known as a beach destination. We arrived at Mons Klint at around 12:30 pm. Once there, you’ll have about 4 hours to explore the site which has a Geo center museum, a cafe and various trails to explore. Make sure to pack some delicious snacks and refreshments to refuel for the rest of the day.
There were 3 main trails rated easy, moderate and difficult. The moderate trail has the best views and if you can only do one trail this is the best way to go for the best views. The difficult trail mainly goes at the top of the cliffs and will provide stunning views of the Baltic sea from the top. I did both the moderate and difficult trail. The moderate trail was easy to follow and has about 500 stairs that you take down for the draw dropping view of the chalk cliffs. The difficult trail was well marked but rugged.
Don’t forget to bring your hiking boots for the difficult trail. After completing the 2 trails, I stopped by the cafe to refuel. I placed my order at the cafe through the kiosks. If you’re on a tighter budget, another option is to pack your own lunch. I had a pasta salad for about $12 USD. After lunch, I stopped by the Geo Center museum. The entry ticket was included as part of the tour. The Geo Center at Mons Klint is a museum exhibition where you can learn about the geology at Mons Klint. There are various exhibits and displays that explain how the cliffs were formed and why they’re so special. The museum is interactive and allows you to engage with the geological concepts and learn about the formation of the cliffs in an immersive way.
At around 3:30 pm, we left Mons Klint for the drive back to Copenhagen. I slept most of the way back after a long day of hiking and arrived back to Copenhagen around 5 pm.
Stevns Klint
Stevns Klint is another one of Denmark’s natural wonders worth visiting, though I didn’t get the chance to see it. It is located just an hour’s drive south of Copenhagen. What makes Stevns Klint different than Mons Klint is that it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique geological significance. Stevns Klint gives a glimpse into the Earth’s history, with layers of chalk and limestone that tell the story of the dinosaur extinction event over 66 million years ago. You can explore this dramatic coastline on your own by renting a car or booking a guided tour for convenience.
Day Trip to Flensburg, Germany
Take a day trip from the bustling streets of Copenhagen to the charming small town of Flensburg, Germany for an epic whirlwind adventure. Flensburg is a great place to get a little taste of German culture while in Copenhagen. We’re talking about a day in a different country filled with cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and tasty cuisine, only 3 hours away.
Start your day bright and early by catching a train from Copenhagen Central Station to Flensburg. I recommend taking the 6:56 am train that arrives at 10:07 am. This train journey’s travel time is 3 hours and 11 minutes and involves one transfer. Train tickets can be bought on the Omio app or website.
After a train ride of about 3 hours, you’ll arrive at Flensburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station). Begin your time in Flensburg by taking about a 10 minute walk to “Rote Strasse” in the heart of Flensburg, it is a charming cobblestone street lined with colorful houses dating back to the 17th century, and quaint cafes perfect for enjoying a taste of local culture. The cafes are a lovely place to stop by to grab a quick snack or breakfast while people watching. Some breakfast places to check out are Cafe Extrablatt, Cafe Barista, and Kritz. Take some time wandering through the picturesque Old Town to admire the historic buildings. Make sure to Stop by St.Nikolai Church to admire the Gothic architecture which includes a spire. This church has historic significance as one of the city’s oldest and most revered landmarks.
After exploring the Old town, take a leisurely stroll along the scenic Flensburg Harbour to admire the waterfront that makes this area a favorite among both locals and tourists. Don’t forget to snap some photos of the stunning views! Walk 10 minutes and you’ll be at the iconic Nordermarkt square, where you can witness the stunning architecture and vibrant street life.
From Nordermarkt, take a 6 minute walk to the Flensburg Maritime Museum where you can learn about Flensburg’s role as a major trading port and its connections to the sea. This museum is one of the town’s main attractions and is housed in a historic warehouse near the waterfront. The museum displays the town’s maritime history through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and model ships. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to look through the museum, which is separated into parts. The Rum museum is located in the basement of the Maritime museum and is free to visit. Note the museum is closed on Mondays.
Next up, try out some of the local dishes like bratwurst, schnitzel, or hearty potato dishes, paired with a refreshing German beer or regional wine. Some affordable restaurants to consider are Strandgut, Rote Hof, and Alte Senfmuhle.
After fueling up, make your way back to Flensburg Hauptbahnhof to catch the train back to Copenhagen. Taking the 5:15 pm train will get you back to Copenhagen by 9:34 pm. You can also take a later train if you want to explore some more.
Final Thoughts
Copenhagen is surrounded by an abundance of remarkable destinations just a train trip away waiting to be explored. Each day trip has its own unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Although I didn’t have the chance to visit Stevns Klint due to lack of time, its geological significance and stunning coastal landscapes is worth it for those willing to drive or book a tour. Due to the similarity of the landscape to Mons Klint and limited time, I did not consider it. Copenhagen and its surrounding destinations promise endless side quests for the adventurous traveler. If you’re looking for free things to do in Copenhagen, check out my guide on 16 free things to do.
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