#1: Sail the Canals of Copenhagen
The first thing on this list is to spend time on the waters of Copenhagen. I did this particular activity twice, in two different ways, because I loved the experience of being near the intricate canal system.
First, some of my flatmates and I rented a GoBoat — an electric boat that seats ten, complete with a table for picnicking — and shared some snacks and a good evening. The GoBoat was super convenient, as it allowed us to cruise around the canal system in the boat for around two hours at a minimal charge.
We didn’t need a license to drive the boat and were free to explore the marked canal ways as we navigated landmarks, eateries, and, of course, the path of other boats! Since we didn’t need a license, several of us on the boat took turns driving, an experience that I found very memorable.
Second, a flatmate and I reserved a free two-person kayak at the Kayak Bar for one hour and participated in a cleanup event. As an incentive to keep Copenhagen’s canals clean, the Kayak Bar, along with other initiatives in the city, offers individuals the opportunity to rent kayaks for free, with the hope that they will pick up trash they find while kayaking.
To facilitate this, the Kayak Bar provides visitors with a free kayak, oars, trash-collecting tools, and a bucket, eliminating the need for visitors to bring their equipment. Although I had navigated the waters before, helping to maintain the pristine condition of the canals in the early morning hours was something I really cherished and looked forward to doing again sometime soon.
#2: Take a Day Trip to the Louisiana Art Museum
The second on my list of seven is to explore the Louisiana Art Museum. Although a slightly longer journey than most places on the list, this modern art museum is a must-see and features art from national and international artists, including the incredible Yayoi Kusama, which was a personal favorite.
Complete with a café featuring bite-sized pastry items, the Louisiana Art Museum offers a diverse collection of pieces, including paintings, graphite works, multimedia installations, and an outdoor sculpture display, bringing together various cultures, identities, and people in a celebration of creativity.
I was able to see how history, psychology, and art connected with each other in a rather interesting series of works by Robert Longo of Sigmund Freud’s workplace. This experience was particularly special to me because I was able to compare my engagement with art to my experiences at the Blanton Museum and find a deeply personal connection with the work of artists whose ideas aligned with and diverged from my own.
#3: Dance Your Heart Out at a Local Music Festival
The third and most exciting option on this list is to attend a local music festival or event. I chose to visit Distortion — a four-day, free, street-side music event featuring DJs playing music from EDM, Afrobeat, the 2010s, and Latino hits.
Although I only spent a few hours at the event, I had an incredible time dancing to the music and popping from one DJ setup to the next to figure out the next popular dance spot. The event took place all over the city and had an accompanying app to help music lovers figure out where they wanted to go and how to get there on public transport, which proved very helpful as a few of my flatmates and I navigated the massive crowds to find our next dance spot.
Each day, the music festival lasted from 4 to 10 p.m., allowing different groups to pass through — the timing was also ideal for students, as it allowed us to schedule our arrival and duration at the event within the large time frame. Although I am not the biggest fan of EDM, I found the shared local and tourist experience to be extremely unique and enjoyable.
#4: Savor Global Bites at Outdoor Food Venues
The fourth item on this list is to experience an outdoor food venue. I did this two times at different venues and really enjoyed both experiences. First, my flatmates and I took a trip out to Reffen, a popular destination for live music, food trucks, and a good time with friends. While others at Reffen enjoyed a cozy sit by the campfire, a stroll by the lake, or a performance by a beloved local artist, my friends and I came to grab a quick bite.
The structure of an outdoor food venue made up of food trucks was the perfect solution for a table full of hungry college students unsure of where to eat: each of us was able to find a nice meal at a food truck that interested us while staying within a decent price range and exploring a local favorite. After the meal, we split ways, with a few of us going by the lake to enjoy the waterside, cheering on the local performer of the night, or retiring early to catch up on homework and readings.
Second, a few of my flatmates and I visited Broens, a canal-side street food venue located at the end of a bridge, offering a smaller but more diverse selection of food options, ranging from crepes to poke bowls. At Broens, we were able to get a quick bite before sitting by the canal and watching boats pass in and out of a major part of the city.
Although my experience at Broens was similar to my experience at Reffen, I really enjoyed walking back down from the venue, where I found street-side trampolines, sustainable architecture, and a local farmers’ market (more on this later!).
#5: Browse Local Flavors at a Copenhagen Farmers’ Market
The fifth item on my list is to pop through a local farmers’ market. The one I visited, Torvehallerne, was located near Nørreport Station and featured an indoor-outdoor venue complete with fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, meats, and a host of eateries and food trucks offering diverse options, similar to the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington.
The market reflected a wide range of local cuisine, including a variety of meats, smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), and pastries. Although one of my flatmates tried a local tapas-style dish featuring a variety of open-faced sandwiches, another flatmate and I opted for tacos at a Mexican eatery and were pleasantly surprised with what we got!
#6: Celebrate Culture at a Community Carnival
The sixth item on my list is to dance into a carnival. One of my flatmates was very excited about this public performance-art experience of Latino culture and encouraged one of our fellow flatmates and me to join her in celebrating song and dance.
During the event, we witnessed an incredible cultural fusion experience as Danish musicians welcomed a Colombian performer to sing a salsa song to a host of locals, tourists, and immigrant dancers who shared the same grassy stage and danced to the same music.
After following a group of enthusiastic dancers through the beat, my flatmates and I watched a host of percussionists play huge drums as a ukulele player strummed the melody for a group of dancers. Though we didn’t get the opportunity to join the dancers in this performance, it was still really engaging to clap along to the beat and experience the shared display of art.
#7: Cheer at a Copenhagen Sporting Event
The last thing on my list is to dive into a local sporting event. During my time in Copenhagen, I had the incredible experience of watching the women’s FC Copenhagen team play another national team (FC Næstved) for free!
The seats were free and only required a reservation for further rows, allowing some of my flatmates and me to experience the thrilling 90 minutes of a local pastime. I had never been to a stadium before, so at first, I was speechless to see such a huge arena and frightened to walk through the small passageway between the seats. Still, as soon as I sat down with a bucket of popcorn and watched the first few moments of the game, I was captivated, trying to catch every pass and cheering with the locals for the home team.
Although I don’t usually follow sports, I found this experience (complete with the Danish commentary, random beach balls, and spontaneous “player of the match” announcements) really fun and something I’d recommend for any student wanting to get an inside view of a local weekend.
That concludes a complete overview of seven things to do in a week in Copenhagen: a set of activities and events that are fun, affordable, and easily fit into a schedule after a summer class with DIS or on a weekend. Since most things on the list are free (with the exception of $15 museum tickets and $21 per-person boat tickets), and most public transportation is covered through the DIS program, the only out-of-pocket expense students studying abroad in Copenhagen through the program would have is the cost of their food.
All in all, I think this week has been one of my favorite weeks in the city, as I was able to experience everything I described here, plus more, including a visit to the botanical garden and a gorgeous hotel rooftop with a picturesque view.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about things to do during a week in Copenhagen from the lens of a student in the DIS program. Check out my other blog post for more about a day in the life of a DIS student in Copenhagen. Till next time!
This post was contributed by Aaryana Sharma, a Global Ambassador for Summer 2025. Aaryana is a senior studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.
