← Back to blog Weekend guide

Copenhagen with Kids: A Weekend Overnight Itinerary

July 17, 2026 GettingAway 8 min read
Travel Tips Culture Food & Drink Accommodation

A simple, family-friendly Copenhagen weekend with Tivoli Gardens, a canal tour, brilliant views and affordable places to eat — all from one central base.

1 night
Trip length
Saturday to Sunday
13 min
Airport transfer
M2 to Kongens Nytorv
Families
Best for
Compact and easy

Copenhagen is an easy city to enjoy with children over one night. The airport metro is quick, the centre is compact and many of the best family attractions sit within walking distance or a short ride of each other. Base yourselves at Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade, spend Saturday exploring the harbour and Tivoli Gardens, then use Sunday morning for one more family attraction before heading home. A Copenhagen Card can make this packed little weekend surprisingly affordable.

Weekend rhythm

How the weekend flows

Sat 09:30

Metro from the airport to your hotel

Follow the metro signs from Terminal 3 and take the direct M2 to Kongens Nytorv. The journey takes about 13 minutes, followed by an easy five-minute walk to Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade. Leave your bags if your room is not ready, then walk towards nearby Nyhavn.

Sat 11:00

See Copenhagen from the canals

Start with a one-hour canal tour from the Nyhavn area. It gives children an exciting first look at the harbour, bridges, palaces and waterfront while everyone gets a rest after travelling. A standard canal tour is included with the Copenhagen Card Discover, though popular departures can fill up.

Sat 12:30

A big family lunch at Café Vivaldi

Café Vivaldi is a useful family option, with several locations around Copenhagen. The menu has something for most tastes, the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, and the portions are huge as well as tasty — ideal before a busy afternoon when nobody wants to stop for snacks every hour.

Sat 14:00

Climb Rundetaarn

Walk up the famous spiral ramp inside Rundetaarn, or the Round Tower, for rooftop views over the old city. It is a fun, manageable sight with children and does not take over the whole afternoon. Rundetaarn is not currently included in the Copenhagen Card, so budget separately for admission.

Sat 15:30

Spend the rest of the day at Tivoli Gardens

Give Tivoli plenty of time rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. Families can mix rides with gardens, playground time, food and the evening lights. Copenhagen Card Discover includes one admission, but ride tickets and wristbands cost extra. Check seasonal opening dates before booking your weekend.

Sun 09:30

Explore space at the Planetarium

After breakfast, head to the Planetarium, formerly known as the Tycho Brahe Planetarium, near the lakes and Copenhagen Central Station. Its exhibitions and huge dome make an excellent all-weather family activity. Entry and one dome film are currently included with Copenhagen Card Discover.

Sun 12:00

Grab an affordable lunch

Try Gasoline Grill or Jagger for burgers before collecting your bags. For an even lighter budget lunch, pick up Danish hot dogs from a street stand or sandwiches, fruit and snacks from 7-Eleven. It is an easy way to balance the cost of a sit-down meal the day before.

Sun 14:00

Collect your bags and return by metro

Walk back to Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade, collect your luggage and return to Kongens Nytorv. The direct M2 takes you back to Copenhagen Airport, keeping the final transfer simple even with tired children.

Plan ahead

Weekend wins

✦

Stay at Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade

The rooms are compact, but the central location is excellent for a short family break. Nyhavn, Kongens Nytorv and Strøget are close by, reducing extra transport and making it easy to return to the hotel if younger children need a break. Family rooms are formed from two connecting rooms, so check availability when booking.

✦

Use a Copenhagen Card strategically

For this itinerary, Copenhagen Card Discover can cover airport and city public transport, Tivoli entry, a standard canal tour and the Planetarium. That combination can offer good value for a family, especially because eligible adult cards include free cards for up to two children aged 3–11. Compare current prices and inclusions before buying.

✦

Remember the extras

The card does not make the whole weekend free. Tivoli rides need separate tickets or a wristband, Rundetaarn currently requires its own admission, and some attractions need a timed reservation. Build those costs into your budget before deciding which card duration suits your arrival time.

✦

Mix restaurant meals with quick food

One generous Café Vivaldi meal can be balanced with burgers at Gasoline Grill or Jagger and an inexpensive hot dog or 7-Eleven picnic. Carry refillable water bottles and a few familiar snacks for children so convenience purchases do not quietly inflate the weekend budget.

Why Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade works for families

For a one-night trip, location matters more than a long list of hotel facilities. Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade puts you close to Nyhavn and the old city, with Kongens Nytorv metro station around five minutes away on foot. That means a direct journey from the airport, an easy start on Saturday and a straightforward return on Sunday. The rooms prioritise value and efficient use of space, so families should choose the connecting-room family option rather than assuming a standard room will accommodate everyone.

Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for this weekend?

It can be. Copenhagen is not a cheap city, but this itinerary makes strong use of the Discover card: airport transfers, local public transport, Tivoli admission, a canal tour and the Planetarium are currently included. Tivoli rides and Rundetaarn are not included, so add those separately when comparing the card against individual tickets. Card products, child rules and attraction lists can change; check the official Copenhagen Card app or website just before buying and activate the card only when you are ready to begin using it.

Another good family option: Copenhagen Zoo

Copenhagen Zoo is also a great place to visit with children, particularly if your family prefers animals and outdoor space to another city-centre attraction. Allow at least half a day so it does not feel rushed; on a one-night itinerary, it works best as an alternative to the Planetarium or Rundetaarn rather than an extra stop. Zoo admission is currently included with Copenhagen Card Discover, and public transport to Frederiksberg is covered too. Check opening times and current card inclusions before travelling.

Family-friendly food without overspending

Café Vivaldi is the reliable sit-down choice: there are several branches around the city, the portions are notably generous and the broad menu makes ordering with children straightforward. Gasoline Grill and Jagger are good casual burger options when you want something faster. Copenhagen's hot dog stands are also part of the experience and work brilliantly for an affordable light lunch. A few pastries, pieces of fruit or sandwiches from 7-Eleven can keep everyone going without paying restaurant prices every time somebody gets hungry.

Ready to go?

Search live fares from your airport — no fixed dates required.

Search Copenhagen weekends Copenhagen guide