2-Hour Walking Tour Copenhagen: Royal Palace, Nyhavn & Old Town

A local guide walks you through centuries of Copenhagen's founding, trade wars and rise to Scandinavia's largest city.

A 2-hour guided walking tour of Copenhagen's historic center covering the Royal Palace, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn, the Old Stock Exchange and other main sights. The walk covers 3 kilometers and ends at a Renaissance square where your guide provides a map and directions to nearby attractions like Rosenborg Palace or the Royal Amalienborg Palace. A live English-speaking guide leads small groups and answers questions throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tivoli Gardenspassing by
2. Christiansborg Palace10m
3. Old Stock Exchangepassing by
4. Nyhavn10m

Walking tour of Copenhagen's main sights

• Visit city center gathering place
• Pass by city hall
• Pass by Tivoli Gardens
• Pass by pedestrian shopping street
• Pass by equestrian statue of bishop
• See Christiansborg Palace and ministries
• Stop at Renaissance harbour navy base
• Pass by Old Stock Exchange
• Enter historic church if open
• Visit Renaissance square with 1700s buildings

The experience

The walk starts in the city center and moves through Copenhagen's oldest quarters, passing the sites where Denmark's government, courts and central bank operate from Christiansborg Palace. You'll see the equestrian statue of the bishop who founded the city in 1189, the world's longest pedestrian shopping street, and the 1905 City Hall. The guide explains how Copenhagen was built to protect trade routes and how it became Scandinavia's largest city, pointing out the massive brick harbor building from 1618 that once served as a navy base during the Renaissance.

The tour includes stops at the Old Stock Exchange, a remarkable early-1600s building with a dragon-tail tower, and a church from the 1500s where Danish prime ministers are buried and royals are married (entry depends on church activities). Nyhavn, the iconic harbor with colorful houses dug out in the 1600s by Swedish prisoners of war, is part of the route. You'll also pass Tivoli Gardens, famous as one of the world's most beautiful amusement parks and the only one located in the middle of a major city.

When the walk ends at a Renaissance square, your guide hands you a city map and suggests routes to continue exploring on your own, whether that's a canal tour and drink in Nyhavn, a visit to Rosenborg Palace to see the Crown Jewels, or the Royal Amalienborg Palace where the King's family lives. The guide answers all questions and settles what comes next based on your interests and energy.

What’s included

• A guided walk in a small group.
• a local English-speaking guide.
• a city map.
• tips on what else to see and how to get there after the walk.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (11 to 17 years): free · Infant (under 11): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hamlet Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a walking tour that moves at a conversational pace. You'll stop long enough to absorb the history rather than tick off landmarks quickly.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (11 to 17 years): free; Infant (under 11): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Nyhavn and why is it on this tour?

Nyhavn is the iconic New Harbour with colorful houses dug out in the 1600s by Swedish prisoners of war. It's included as a main sight on the walking route and serves as a natural endpoint where you can continue with a canal tour, a drink, or walk onward to other attractions.

Does this tour go inside the castles and museums?

No, the tour passes by the palaces and museums but does not enter them. After the walk ends, your guide provides a map and directions so you can visit Rosenborg Palace, the Crown Jewels, or Christiansborg Palace on your own if you choose.

How far is the walk and what's the pace like?

The walk covers 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) through the city center. It's suitable for all fitness levels and includes stops at each major sight so you're not walking continuously. The total time is 2 hours including the stops.

What happens when the tour ends?

The tour ends at a Renaissance square in the old town. Your guide gives you a map, suggests routes to nearby sites like Nyhavn, the Royal Amalienborg Palace, or Rosenborg Palace, and answers questions about what to do next based on your interests.

Who leads the tour and what language is it in?

A local English-speaking guide leads the tour. The guides are described as friendly, funny and knowledgeable, and they answer all questions competently throughout the walk.