Kid-friendly Copenhagen

Our Local Expert Says:

Classic qualities, attractive location

Description:

A modern, three star hotel with old-fashioned charm and a quiet, classic look to it, located in an attractive part of the city, close to popular Nansensgade. Family rooms available.

Our Local Expert Says:

This pass gives so many freebies, there's no excuse for not seeing everything.

Description:

Ideal for city-break visitors hoping to pack a lot of sightseeing into a short space of time, this pass is available in two versions: a 24-hour pass and a longer 72-hour pass. For the price of DKK 229 for the 24-hour pass and DKK 459 for the 72-hour one, cardholders are assured free entry to 65 attractions in Copenhagen and the surrounding area, from museums and art galleries to spots like Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen Zoo and Denmark's Aquarium. There is also free transport on buses, trains and Metro during the valid time period and a 10-15% discount on a small number of cafes, bars and stores in the city as well as care hire and ferry crossings. A guide is provided with the purchase with full details. The card is available from Wonderful Copenhagen Visitor's Centre (across the road from Tivoli). A child's pass is available for approx. half the price of an adult one.

Description:

A popular city park with a large, recently renovated playground, a summer cafe (Hacienda) and a lake, H.C. Ørstedsparken is - along with Tivoli, the Botanical Gardens and Østre Anlæg - a part of the original embankments of the old, walled city of Copenhagen. First opened to the public in 1879, the park is named after the famous physicist H.C. Ørsted (1777-1851), the inventor of electro-magnetism. Although the park has gained a reputation as a gay meeting place after dark, any suspected nocturnal activity shouldn't put off families and other daytime visitors, as the gardens make a pleasant inner city retreat as well as location for lively musical events in the summer. 

Our Local Expert Says:

Eye-catching architectural styles and an even more eclectic collection of art.

Description:

With more than one thousand works on show over three floors, the Statens Museum takes on 700 years of art history, both Danish and international. While the original building dates from 1896, overcrowding in the past decade has led to two modern extensions, first in 1970 and later in 1998 – the latter including a huge glass façade that offers a splendid view of the museum's grounds and lake. The museum's 'sculpture street' functions as a kind of bridge between the architectural styles. The exhibitions are organized according to themes, allowing the viewer to compare two works from different periods of art history. While this makes interesting browsing, it can make finding a particular work challenging. Families should also check out the interactive children's wing, where there's also a chance to participate in workshops.

Description:

Denmark's National Gallery offers many activities for families with young children that encourage youngsters to learn about art and painting in an approachable, tactile way. These include two special children's exhibitions each year and family tours at 1pm every Saturday and Sunday, as well as the chance for kids to create their own works in the first floor children's workshop, where it's possible to draw, paint and even sculpt and build. Open every weekend from 10.30am to 4.30pm as well as in school holidays, the materials charge of DKK 30 for workshop guests can be paid at the ticket office.

Our Local Expert Says:

Quality Italian that both kids and parents can enjoy.

Description:

Located under Ibsens Hotel, La Rocca is a classy, smart Italian with an extensive menu of pasta, pizza, antipasti, fish and meat dishes. The surprise here is the separate kids' room, complete with its own TV and DVD player. The restaurant's garden is open for dining from May to September.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fascinate the kids with brightly coloured fish, huge turtles and even sharks.

Description:

Denmark's Aquarium is a great place to take smaller children who might find the zoo a bit overwhelming or find the smaller animals difficult to spot. With more than 300 marine species on show—from large turtles, squids and sharks to tiny seahorses—the exhibits here are really quite fascinating. There are also 'touch pools' in the basement where children get the chance to come close to crabs, flatfish and other tiny sea creatures every day at 10.30am. Visitors can now extend their visit until 8pm on Wednesdays.

Description:

Pleasant sandy beach close to public transport , complete with lifeguards, changing facilities and toilets, as well as an ice cream cafe and bathing jetties. Above the beach there's a well-maintained grassy plain for beach games and sun bathing, close to the remains of a castle (Charlottenlund Fort) dating from 1886. The place gets packed with beautifully tanned young Danes from the affluent local area in the summer months. From April to October, it's also possible to camp here.

Our Local Expert Says:

An endless amount of things to do.

Description:

Though many of the city's museums have children's wings, this is the only one designed specifically with kids in mind. The Experimentarium is the national science museum, and here the 'no touching' signs have been replaced with levers, buttons and triggers, all designed to stimulate youngsters' interest in questioning how and why things work the way they do. Admission is a little on the steep side, but there's enough exhibits here to last a whole afternoon, and the restaurant is reasonably priced. The disabled access is exceptional.

Our Local Expert Says:

Elegant and relaxing.

Description:

Designed in the romantic style during the 1700s, Frederiksberg Gardens stretch out from the entrance at the end of Frederiksberg Alle with a glorious view of the central boating lake and the gently sloping lawns, with Frederiksberg Palace standing regally at its top. This Baroque-styled mansion was inspired by Frederik IIII's trips to Italy, and is now a school for military officers. It's usual to see almost-tame herons standing sentry around the lake, and the 200 year-old Chinese pagoda lends a more exotic air to the park. With blankets and baskets, families enjoy long picnics on the lawns, while the children's playground is another popular spot. Frederiksberg Have is neighbor to the wilder recreational area of Søndermarken as well as Copenhagen Zoo, located on Roskildevej.

Description:

Frederiksberg Castle and the attached Slotskirken Church have an excellent location overlooking Frederiksberg Garden and the city of Copenhagen. Frederiksberg Castle is connected especially with the name of king Frederik VI, but the castle was built as early as 1699, during the reign of Frederik IV (under the supervision of J.C. Ernst). The side wings to the castle were built after drawings by Laurits von Thura. Frederik VI used the beautiful yellow castle as his summer residence. Since 1869 the castle has contained Hrens Officerskole, the Army's Officer Training College. The public can visit the castle but call to inquire about opening hours.

Our Local Expert Says:

Keep the kids entertained all day.

Description:

Copenhagen Zoo is the one of the oldest animal parks in Europe, and the only attraction in Copenhagen to be open 365 days a year. Situated in the south-west corner of Frederiksberg Have, the zoo also extends to the other side of Roskildevej, with connecting tunnel under the highway, the north-west corner of Søndermarken. Dating from 1859, the Zoo has undergone extensive renovation in recent years to offer the animals more space, including the Norman Foster-designed, state-of-the-art elephant enclosure.
Copenhagen Zoo is especially well-suited for families with small children, and kid-friendly facilities include small diaper changing facilities in the restrooms—as well as smaller toilets for those of kindergarten age—areas to eat packed lunches as well as healthy kid packs in the cafe, and an amazing play area filled with activities you'll find it hard to pull your kids away from. There is also a petting zoo with farm animals and pony rides on offer.

Our Local Expert Says:

A fascinating walkway to a great view of the city.

Description:

Europe's oldest functioning observatory, the Rundetårn (or Round Tower) was built under the orders of King Christian IV in 1642, and remains a fascinating piece of architectural engineering. Central to this (and unique in Europe) is the 209 meter-long spiral ramp, which twists around the tower 7.5 times before reaching the top of the 34.8 meter-high tower. With Copenhagen's landscape decidedly lacking in tall buildings, the summit still affords some of the best views over the city. As well as its astronomical purpose, today's Round Tower is home to a modest gallery hosting changing exhibitions as well as concerts.

Description:

Founded in 1843, Tivoli is located where the once-fortified city's ramparts used to be, and the park's on-site lake is a remnant of the city's moat. Children of all ages visit year 'round for the old-world carnival-style atmosphere and the exciting attractions. Test your mettle on a number of extreme thrill rides (including "The Demon" and "The Spinning Top"). Tamer rides and activities are in abundance as well. Young ones will not want to miss the grand carousel or the aquarium. Older folk tend to congregate in and around Tivoli's nearly 40 bars and restaurants, some of which are tres gourmet and may date as far back as 1843. World-class live entertainment is always provided, and the festivities get kicked into high gear during the Christmas season. See website for complete list of attractions, video tours, seasonal hours, event calendar and more.

Our Local Expert Says:

A reliable Italian

Description:

This spacious Italian restaurant offers all the national standard dishes with quality and prices above the ubiquitous pizza-pasta joint. Pleasant service and smart decor combine with a very handy location, right on Rådhuspladsen - the town hall square. Children will find themselves basking in attention, and parents will equally enjoy the extra space to fit everyone around the large tables.