City Tours in Copenhagen

If you want to see Copenhagen beyond just photos on Instagram, city tours are a great way to get under the skin of the place. And by that, I mean stepping off the beaten path instead of following crowds around Nyhavn. You can rent a bike and join a guided ride through less touristy neighborhoods like Vesterbro or Nørrebro, where you’ll spot street art, tiny cafes, and local markets.

Walking tours often focus on the city’s story,stories about Christianshavn’s old canals, to Copenhagen’s royal past and modern architecture. Winter or summer, there's something refreshing about wandering through the cobblestone streets with a knowledgeable guide who throws in little anecdotes you won’t find in guidebooks. Then there’s the canal tours, but not those big tourist boats. Try a small electric boat rental or kayak rental, which lets you sneak through the quieter waterways and see the city from a fresh angle.

Pro tip: If you’re here in late spring, sign up for a bike tour that ends with a stop at Reffen, the street food market, for the freshest smørrebrød in town. You’ll thank me.