Best things to do in Copenhagen for students
Vibrant, dynamic, and filled with happy locals…we can only be describing Copenhagen! One of the most exciting places to live as a student, life in this beautiful city is always sweet. Whether you’re thinking about moving to Copenhagen to study and want to see all the amazing things you can get up to, or are already settling into student life in the city and want to explore its wonders, we’ve put together a list of our top 5 things to do in Copenhagen for students on a budget:
- Museum of Copenhagen
- Reffen Copenhagen Street Food Market
- Nyhavn
- Gardens in Copenhagen
- Botanical garden and Natural History Museum of Denmark
From interesting museums to stunning green spaces, you’ll never be stuck for something fun to do in Copenhagen. In fact, there are so many brilliant things to do across the whole of Denmark that we’ve created an entire guide for you to enjoy. Once you’ve finished reading about Copenhagen’s gems, take a look at our ultimate guide for things to do in Denmark as a student.
The best part about Denmark’s capital city? Many of the wonderful things to do in Copenhagen are free or discounted for students which means you can make the most of your days off without breaking the bank. So join Nido as we help you discover the treasures of Copenhagen!
Museum of Copenhagen
Without a doubt, one of the most exciting parts of moving to a new city to study is learning all about its history and culture. When you move to Copenhagen to live your best student life, there’s no better place to embrace the city’s rich history and vibrant culture than at Copenhagen’s official museum, the Museum of Copenhagen.
You can follow Copenhagen’s historical significance through the museum’s 400+ artefacts, including breathtaking stained glass, excavated shipwrecks, stunning jewellery, historical weaponry and so much more. As well as an incredible permanent exhibition, the museum has a selection of interesting temporary exhibitions throughout the year. While they change frequently, they explore everything from various time periods to art movements and styles.
Tickets cost 95 kr, but on a Wednesday admission to the Museum of Copenhagen is free which means you can learn about the wonderful history of the city on a budget, making it one of the best things to do in Copenhagen for students! Also, when you buy a ticket to the Museum of Copenhagen, you also get admission to Thorvaldsens Museum and Nikolaj Kunsthal included, which means you can have a full day of fun with your new university friends without breaking the bank.
If you’re planning on spending an afternoon at the Museum of Copenhagen, you’ll be pleased to know that it only takes 14 minutes by bus to get to the museum from the University of Copenhagen’s South Campus.
Love the thought of spending your weekends uncovering the treasures of Copenhagen’s many museums? Glyptoteket is another must-visit museum and you’ll enjoy free entry on a Tuesday! Plus, Davids Samling has free entrance all week, so you can stick to your budget while exploring these wonderful museums.
Reffen Copenhagen Street Market
We understand that sticking to a tight budget is very important as a student, which is why we’re helping you find the best things to do in Copenhagen on a budget. If you’re looking for a cheap or free day out, spending the day wandering around Reffen Copenhagen Street Market is perfect for you!
Reffen Copenhagen Street Market is the largest street food venue in the Nordics which means there’s something for everyone, whether you enjoy seafood, crepes, burgers or Greek food. This is ideal if you’re going with a large group of friends who may have different tastes or dietary requirements. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it! Some of the popular stalls featured include:
- Cheesy Dreams
- Goodie’s Factory
- Home Burger
- Pok Pok Fried Chicken
- Tacos Pastor
What truly makes Reffen Copenhagen Street Market stand out as one of the best places to visit in Copenhagen is its vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Throughout the year there are loads of fun events and activities, ranging from quizzes to dancing – it can get very busy which means there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make friends, ideal for Fresher’s Week!
The best part? It’s only an 8 minute cycle away from Nyhavn so you can spend your morning exploring the stunning district before enjoying lunch at Reffen Copenhagen Street Market. Sounds like a dream to us!
Nyhavn
We think that one of the best ways to discover the treasures of Copenhagen is by exploring its beautiful districts on foot, which is why we couldn’t have a top things to do in Copenhagen list without featuring the incredible Nyhavn!
Nyhavn is a stunning harbour and it is a very popular place to visit in Copenhagen. It is renowned for its brightly coloured houses, which make picture-perfect Instagram photos! In fact, it’s what many people picture when they think of Copenhagen so it’s a great place to bring friends and family when they visit. You can enjoy a walk along the canal, soaking up the fresh air and buzzing atmosphere of the city with friends.
The district is known for being lively and an amazing place to visit for entertainment which is why you’ll find some of the best bars, restaurants and cafes in Copenhagen in and around Nyhavn. Want to learn more about food and drink in Denmark? Read our recent blogs on the best restaurants and bars in Copenhagen for students.
In the perfect location, you can get from the University of Copenhagen to Nyhavn within 7 minutes by bike, making it the ideal place to visit for some well-needed fresh air after lectures.
Gardens in Copenhagen
Speaking of fresh air and getting outside, Copenhagen boasts breathtaking views, stunning scenery and unique gardens. The best way to get to know the new city you’re living in is to spend time out in it, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying its beauty in one of its many gardens.
The parks and gardens of Copenhagen are a beautiful place to visit during the Summer as many students gather there to eat food, listen to music, drink, tan, play games, hang out with friends and study. Plus, getting outside and into the fresh air is wonderful for wellbeing, so whether you want to relax in the sun, chill out with friends or study, you can do it at one of the parks! Some of the most popular and well-known parks and gardens in Copenhagen include:
- Frederiksberg Have
- Kongens Have
- Fælledparken
- Ørstedsparken
The great thing about embracing nature and enjoying afternoons in the parks of Copenhagen is that admission is free which means you won’t be breaking the bank to embrace the amazing scenery! Wherever you’re living in Copenhagen, you can feel happy in the knowledge that you’ll never be far away from a spectacular greenspace. In fact, our Nido Bryggen accommodation is only a 7 minute walk away from Grønningen!
Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum of Denmark
Keeping with the theme of nature, the Natural History Museum of Denmark is part of the University of Copenhagen and is home to the mesmerising Botanical Garden, one of the most unique and beautiful things to do in Copenhagen.
The Botanical Garden is filled with some of the most beautiful and rare plants in the world. It is actually the largest collection of living plants in the whole of Denmark, making it a once in a lifetime experience! Plus, If you want a day filled with history, culture and learning, you can spend time at the Botanical Garden before visiting the Natural History Museum of Denmark and exploring its fascinating exhibits. With 14 million objects, what will you go and see first?
- Fossils
- Meteorites
- Skeletons
- Preserved animals and insects
- The Butterfly House (open during the Summer, you can walk amongst real butterflies)
The reason why it makes our list of the best things to do in Copenhagen is because it’s free to enter the Botanical Garden so you can spend your day immersed in nature, without spending a penny (or Danish Krone). It only takes 8 minutes by bike to travel to the Botanical Garden from the University of Copenhagen so you can enjoy a morning of lectures before heading to the Botanical Garden for a lovely afternoon stroll.
Enjoy your best student life in Copenhagen with Nido Living
So, there you have it…our top 5 things to do in Copenhagen for students on a budget. With a world of excitement at your fingertips, where are you going to explore first?
Copenhagen is a vibrant, friendly city with a rich history and world-class study facilities which is why we’re proud to have student accommodation in the heart of the city. Nido Bryggen is our flagship accommodation in Denmark and we are delighted to welcome students into the Nido family.
Just a stone’s throw (literally 1 minute) away from the University of Copenhagen’s South Campus, Nido Bryggen is stylish and contemporary, with incredible study and social spaces. Dedicated to your wellbeing at all times, we’re proud to offer a yoga and wellness room for you to relax and unwind in, as well as an impressive rooftop terrace to take in the stunning views of the city.
Come and join the Nido family today! We even have accommodation for students and young professionals across the whole of Europe, in Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Germany. Want to learn more? Get in touch with us today and a member of the Nido Denmark team will be happy to chat with you.