Colourful and innovative, Copenhagen is constantly drawing out smiles with its cobble-stoned streets, curious architecture, charming outdoor environments and cosy old-world restaurants. The locals use the word “hygge” when talking about enjoying life’s simple pleasures, and visitors will quickly discover that there are few better places to do this than Copenhagen.
One of the world’s most tourist-friendly cities, Copenhagen is full of memorable attractions that cost little if anything at all, such as Torvehallerne Market, Amalienborg Palace and The Round Tower. Coupled with delicious Danish cuisine and a picturesque backdrop of the harbour and pastel houses, Denmark’s capital city keeps visitors entertained from the moment they arrive.
Copenhagen’s city centre is a highly sought-after base for visitors looking to experience the city’s best sights and truly soak up the culture. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of budget-friendly and boutique hotels on offer, giving holidaymakers excellent options for a convenient and cost-effective stay. HotelsCombined’s 400 million-plus annual visitors have shown which of these hotels are the most popular, making it even easier for visitors to organise the perfect holiday.
Read on to find out why the following 17 Copenhagen hotels are the most popular, while also discovering the best free and budget-friendly experiences around the city.
Most Popular Budget-Friendly Copenhagen City Centre Hotels
Wakeup Copenhagen – Borgergade
The innovative Wakeup Copenhagen – Borgergade lets visitors achieve the lowest possible accommodation cost with several customisable options including “Economy Reservation”. These discounts, along with five distinct room types, let Wakeup Copenhagen – Borgergade provide exceptional lodging at a low price. Out of the five room types, the Wakeup Standard is the most affordable and still offers free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, comfortable beds, a flat-screen TV and a work desk.
Guests can also enjoy breakfast on site at the hotel’s restaurant, which has a dramatic sunroof and hearty buffet of eggs, fruit, meats, coffee and more. The hotel’s central location makes getting around easy, with notable attractions such as Frederik’s Church, Rosenborg Castle and The Little Mermaid statue all within walking distance.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: 400kr – 2130kr
Guest Rating: 8.1
Address: Borgergade 9, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Cabinn City
One of Copenhagen’s best bang-for-your-buck hotels, Cabinn City delivers inexpensive and convenient accommodation. Placed only a few minutes’ walk from Tivoli Gardens amusement park, Cabinn City unveils Copenhagen’s vibrant city centre full of restaurants, shops and unforgettable experiences. Within minutes of leaving the hotel guests can be walking among the historic buildings, picturesque gardens and bustling squares.
The hotel itself is well-equipped with cosy rooms, ranging from the remarkably affordable Economy room with private bathroom and complimentary Wi-Fi to the spacious Captain room, which is still a very reasonable price. There’s an on-site breakfast café open seven days a week, and guests can enjoy more holiday flexibility with a 24-hour reception.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: 357kr – 1040kr
Guest Rating: 7.3
Address: Mitchellsgade 14, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Osterport
Hotel Osterport is located at the northern tip of Copenhagen’s city centre, close to a major railway station, numerous parks and museums, and the 17th-century Kastellet fortress. The superb location is complemented by budget-friendly rooms that offer modern living. Solo travellers can opt for single rooms, while holidaying families have the option of bunk beds and interconnecting rooms.
Finding somewhere to eat nearby isn’t hard, but guests can also enjoy a fresh breakfast at the hotel for no extra price. The bright lobby area overlooks Oslo Square and is the ideal spot for an afternoon coffee or beer, before venturing out to experience the city’s nightlife.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: 276kr – 3187kr
Guest Rating: 6.3
Address: Oslo Plads 5, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Richmond Hotel Copenhagen
The wide range of rooms at Richmond Hotel Copenhagen cater to all travelling groups, from families and friends to couples and solos. Blackout curtains, daily housekeeping, soft beds and ensuites ensure each guest enjoys the type of dedicated service and effortless comforts typically associated with more expensive hotels.
HotelsCombined visitors rave about the hotel’s location, which is within walking distance from Tivoli Gardens, Town Hall Square, restaurants, bars and shops. Guests need only walk 600 metres to Orstedsparken, a public park with a central lagoon and two very popular playgrounds. A free buffet breakfast is served every morning at Richmond Hotel Copenhagen, with dinner and lunch available upon request.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: 329kr – 2781kr
Guest Rating: 6.5
Address: Vester Farimagsgade 33, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Nebo
Hotel Nebo is one of Copenhagen’s most budget-friendly city centre hotels. Housed in a charming, whitewashed building, Hotel Nebo is run by a Christian foundation that believes in providing affordable accommodation for all. The 84 cosy rooms range from Economy rooms with shared bathrooms to Standard rooms with ensuites and separate seating areas.
Guests can dine on site in a delightful sunlit courtyard with a birdbath and umbrellaed tables. The location is key at Hotel Nebo, as it’s right next to Copenhagen Central Station and Tivoli Gardens. Guests also have an enviable position close to local theatres, restaurants and bars. Sightseeing opportunities exist nearby at Copenhagen City Hall, National Museum of Denmark, Christiansborg Palace and more.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: 219kr – 1410kr
Guest Rating: 7.1
Address: Istedgade 6-8, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Generator Copenhagen
Generator Copenhagen is a poster child for the influx of glamorous hostels challenging hotels around the world with friendly service, communal social areas and inexpensive, yet gorgeous rooms. It’s stacked with unexpected facilities that cater to travellers looking for a fun, social atmosphere. The French-style Petanque Bar & Terrace offers a place to chat, drink and play in its outdoor terrace, while the lobby includes cosy nooks for chilling out.
The hostel’s location is almost unbeatable, less than a 10-minute walk from Nyhavn and Rosenborg Castle. Guests can also rent bikes or organise tours and sightseeing cards at the reception. The on-site restaurant keeps visitors well-fed with breakfast, lunch and dinner incorporating sumptuous Danish cuisine. Guests have the option of dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms or private rooms with ensuites.
Star Rating: No Rating
Price: 85kr – 2353kr
Guest Rating: 8.2
Address: Adelgade 5-7, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Urban House Copenhagen
The hip and charismatic Urban House Copenhagen welcomes travellers with its array of unique rooms and facilities. No other accommodation on this list boasts its own on-site tattoo parlour. There’s also a bike shop that hires out recycled vintage bicycles, while the on-site Urban Bar offers local beers, a daily happy hour and regular events throughout the year.
Private rooms with two to six beds and dorm rooms with six to 12 beds make this budget hostel perfect for solo travellers, families, friends and couples. Each room, private or dorm, boasts its own bathroom, a power outlet on every bed and free Wi-Fi. Urban House is 300 metres from Copenhagen Central Station and is an easy stroll from popular bars and restaurants, Tivoli Gardens and Tycho Brahe Planetarium.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: 90kr – 3133kr
Guest Rating: 8.4
Address: Colbjornsensgade 5-11, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Coco Hotel
Nestled on Vesterbrogade, Coco Hotel is near Vesterbro Square where guests can dine at quaint cafes. Designer stores and first-class restaurants are right outside, along with The Meat Packing District, St Jorgen Lake and City Hall Square. This convenient location is accentuated by an on-site breakfast restaurant with rooftop views, which is perfect for a quick bite before a day of sightseeing.
The hotel’s 76 spacious and brightly-lit rooms are spread across four floors and include options for solo travellers as well as families. The Double Room provides the best value, while the Superior Room offers extra luxury at a reasonable price. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and guests can also relax in the private courtyard with a drink from the bar.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: 402kr – 2792kr
Guest Rating: 7.2
Address: Vesterbrogade 41, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Cabinn Scandinavia
Located on the outskirts of Copenhagen’s city centre, Cabinn Scandinavia is the ideal hotel for those who enjoy the inner-city excitement along with the quieter peace of suburbia. Town Hall Square, the Forum concert venue and Copenhagen’s main shopping street, Stroget, are all within walking distance from the hotel.
Like its aforementioned sister hotel, Cabinn Scandinavia offers a selection of rooms that help visitors keep the cost of accommodation down. Certain rooms sleep up to four people, while others only sleep one or two. An on-site breakfast café, complimentary tea and coffee in the rooms, and the 11am checkout helps ensure each guest enjoys a memorable stay.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: 338kr – 936kr
Guest Rating: 6.5
Address: Vodroffsvej 55, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Location
Top 10 Free Things To Do In Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a treasure trove of exciting attractions and experiences that don’t cost a cent. These sightseeing opportunities allow visitors to understand the local culture better and create unforgettable holiday memories. Spending less on attractions also means visitors can use the money saved on a room upgrade, extravagant night out or souvenirs. Here are the top 10 free things to do around the city.
1. Guided Walking Tours
Copenhagen invites deeper exploration with a range of free guided city walking tours. Led by experienced English-speaking locals, these tours take visitors around the city, ticking off some of Copenhagen’s biggest sights including Amalienborg Palace, Freetown Christiania and the Danish Royal Palace.
2. Zulu Sommerbio Open-Air Cinema
Zulu Sommerbio visits Copenhagen every summer and runs a free open-air cinema usually in Faelledparken about three kilometres from the city centre. Six movies are shown over six consecutive nights, all in their original language with Danish subtitles.
3. Absalon
Slightly outside of Copenhagen’s main city centre, close to Urban House and Copenhagen Star Hotel, sits an old reconstructed church called Absalon. These days it’s a community house where people can mingle and connect while enjoying delicious food, fun games or nightly entertainment.
4. Torvehallerne Market
Torvehallerne Market is comprised of two halls and numerous outdoor stalls selling delicious food, fresh produce and other quality cooking ingredients. Visitors can simply stroll through the market, purchase souvenirs or dine at open-air restaurants.
5. Nikolaj Kunsthal
Nikolaj Kunsthal, also known as the Nikolaj Contemporary Art Center, is a revered gallery housed in the former St Nicholas Church. On Wednesdays, visitors can see the Danish and international exhibits for free.
6. Botanical Garden
Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have) is spread across 10 hectares and home to more than 13,000 plant species from Denmark and the rest of Europe. There are also 27 glasshouses dating back to 1874.
7. Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
Islands Brygge Harbour Bath is made up of five outdoor pools and three diving towers. There’s also a lawn where visitors can sunbathe or play ball games, along with food and drink vendors.
8. Christiansborg Palace Tower
Part of Christiansborg Palace, the Tower was built in the early 1900s and stands at 106 metres tall. Visitors can ride an elevator to the top of Copenhagen’s tallest tower for panoramic views of the city.
9. Nyhavn
Nyhavn is a cosy harbour district close to the city centre with traditional pastel houses and elegant restaurants with live music and canal views. Visitors can also see the former homes of Hans Christian Andersen, author of The Little Mermaid.
10. Amalienborg Palace
Home of the Danish Royal Family, Amalienborg Palace is a must-see for any visitors interested in the local history or culture. Those who don’t wish to spend money can admire the palace from outside and watch the official Changing of The Royal Guard, called “Den Kongelige Livgarde”.
Most Popular Boutique Copenhagen City Centre Hotels
Wakeup Copenhagen Carsten Niebuhrs Gade
Ideal for travellers who love getting out and experiencing the local culture and sights, Wakeup Copenhagen Carsten Niebuhrs Gade has a prime location close to Havnebadet Islands Brygge, Christiansborg Palace and Copenhagen City Hall. A chic, minimalistic style permeates throughout the hotel, gracing each room with brand new furnishings and modern conveniences. Allergy-free rooms with hardwood floors are also available.
Guests can wake up to a delicious, traditional breakfast at the hotel’s award-winning on-site restaurant, which faces a public square. Wakeup Copenhagen Carsten Niebuhrs Gade is committed to environmental sustainability and has recently won an award for its climate efforts.
Star Rating: 2*
Price: 355kr – 2713kr
Guest Rating: 7.9
Address: Carsten Niebuhrs Gade 11, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Grand Hotel Copenhagen
Elegance abounds at Grand Hotel Copenhagen, which was built in 1892 and still exudes its Scandinavian style throughout every room. The standard guest rooms are the most affordable, yet still retain touches of opulence with blackout curtains and original stucco ceilings. There are also family rooms and luxurious suites with separate lounges that better reflect a palace’s sitting room.
Stepping outside, guests can immediately immerse themselves in Copenhagen’s local culture with notable attractions, the popular shopping and dining districts, and quintessential Danish architecture all nearby. Also tailored towards business travellers, Grand Hotel Copenhagen boasts meeting rooms capable of hosting intimate consultations and large presentations with Wi-Fi, AV equipment and catering.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: 368kr – 2670kr
Guest Rating: 6.6
Address: Vesterbrogade 9, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Admiral Hotel Copenhagen
Admiral Hotel Copenhagen keeps guests right on the water along the city’s beautiful harbour. Guests at the award-winning hotel, housed in a converted 18th-century warehouse, can indulge in quality Danish fare at the on-site SALT bar and restaurant, or in personal wellness with the in-house masseuse, sauna and steam bath.
The various rooms and suites at Admiral Hotel Copenhagen are all finely furnished with allergy-friendly duvets, custom mattresses and rich teak finishes. Some rooms even overlook the water. The hotel’s location, minutes from Amalienborg Palace and Copenhagen Opera House, makes it ideal for enjoying morning jogs along the water or for exploring the city’s many attractions and experiences.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: 204kr – 3239kr
Guest Rating: 8.5
Address: Toldbodgade 24-28, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Skt Annae
One of the newest hotels in Copenhagen, the four-star Hotel Skt Annae provides boutique accommodation close to the harbour and the city centre. Catering to both business and leisure travellers, Hotel Skt Annae features single rooms along with deluxe double rooms, suites and a luxurious penthouse with private terrace.
Set within traditional Danish buildings, Hotel Skt Annae combines old-world charm with modern comfort, creating an inner-city haven. Guests are shut off from the busy streets outside and can relax with wine or Danish cuisine at the on-site lounge. The city’s sights are still right outside, including Nyhavn, the Royal Theatre and shopping on Strøget.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: 434kr – 1959kr
Guest Rating: 7.2
Address: Sankt Annæ Plads 18-20, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Ascot Hotel
Ascot Hotel welcomes all travellers with its unique yesteryear ambience brought on by its construction in and around one of the city’s ancient public baths. Its location isn’t anything to scoff at either, placing visitors mere minutes from City Hall Square, Tivoli Gardens and top restaurants, theatres and galleries.
Business travellers will greatly appreciate the exclusive services at Ascot Hotel, such as complimentary newspapers and fitness facilities, express check out and car rental services. However, all visitors will enjoy the hotel’s exceptional rooms, suites and apartments, all of which boast Danish-designed furniture and plush bedding. The Penthouse offers the epitome of luxury with a private roof terrace and full kitchen.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: 415kr – 2517kr
Guest Rating: 7.1
Address: Studiestraede 61, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Astoria Copenhagen
This modern three-star Copenhagen hotel has received an abundance of praise from HotelsCombined visitors for its staff service and great location. It’s also home to an array of elegant guest rooms including the bargain Classic Room, which comes with quality toiletries and hypo-allergenic bedding. The Junior Suite, slightly more expensive, also boasts complimentary minibar items.
Buffet breakfast is available at the hotel’s on-site restaurant. It’s the perfect start to a day which might include a visit to Tivoli Gardens, Fotografisk Center or Tycho Brahe Planetarium, which are all a few minutes’ walk away. Central Station is right nearby, so reaching the city’s outer sights is also very easy.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: 258kr – 2466kr
Guest Rating: 6.3
Address: Banegaardspladsen 4, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Good Morning City Copenhagen Star
This boutique inner-city Copenhagen hotel is an absolute gem for travellers seeking a quiet and homey place for enjoying rest and relaxation between jaunts around the city. The hotel’s daily buffet breakfast is divine, highlighted by fresh fruit and Scandinavian treats. The outdoor courtyard creates an ideal, sun-drenched setting in which to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Good Morning City Copenhagen Star is convenient for more reasons than one. Situated 12 minutes from the airport and 100 metres from Central Station, it’s perfect for travellers who only have a weekend to spare. Guests will find an assortment of exciting sights and experiences nearby, such as Vesterbro’s nightlife, harbour cruises and the unique WarPigs brewpub. The hotel’s functional rooms add to the experience with an affordable price tag, in-room entertainment and complimentary tea and coffee.
Star Rating: 3*
Price: 343kr – 8529kr
Guest Rating: 6.9
Address: Colbjornsensgade 13, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Absalon Hotel
Absalon Hotel has a unique and elegant style, incorporating a flawless blend of vintage and modern influences in its extravagant rooms. The three distinct colour schemes give each floor its own personality, while designer furnishings and plush cushions pamper each guest. The Absalon Room is the most affordable and comes with a deluxe queen-size bed and Karmameju toiletries. There’s also the Family Room, Junior Suite and the Tricia Guild Suite, the latter of which boasts a courtyard, marble bathroom and glamorous master suite.
Guests of Absalon Hotel can purchase tickets to Copenhagen attractions from the front desk. Many of these sights are a short walk away including Tivoli Gardens, The Royal Library and the 17th-century Borsen building. Bike hire is available and the striking on-site bar features a comprehensive beer and wine menu.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: 397kr – 1474kr
Guest Rating: 8.6
Address: Helgolandsgade 15, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Location
7 Incredible Copenhagen Experiences That Won’t Burn The Wallet
On top of all the free things to do in Copenhagen, the city more than accommodates budget-savvy travellers with a myriad of inexpensive experiences. The following seven things to do fit easily in almost everyone’s holiday budget and most of them are free with the Copenhagen Card. One or two might even be the perfect activity on which to spend the money saved by staying at one of the above boutique hotels.
1. Netto Boat Cruise
Copenhagen’s iconic blue Netto Boats are constantly seen cruising along the harbour, filled with visitors soaking up the sights. Embarking from the Church of Holmen or Nyhavn, these immersive boat tours treat visitors to the harbour sights including the old Stock-Exchange, Borsgraven canal, The Little Mermaid statue, Amalienborg Palace and centuries-old fortifications.
2. City Bike Rides
Copenhagen boasts a public bike share program, called “Bycyklen”, which lets visitors ride all around the city for a small fee. Each bicycle has a touchscreen tablet that riders use for payment and navigation, thanks to pre-programmed points of interest.
3. Hans Christian Andersen Fairy-Tale House
Detailed exhibits at the Hans Christian Andersen Fairy-Tale House help visitors learn more about H.C. Andersen and bring his fairy tales to life with lighting and sound effects. His artwork and poetry are also on display.
4. Tivoli Gardens’ Friday Rock Concerts
Friday Rock in Tivoli features about 28 musicians performing at 24 Friday night concerts throughout summer. The price of admission to the Tivoli Gardens lets visitors see such big-name artists as Tiesto, Haim and Kim Larsen.
5. Dyrehavsbakken Amusement Park
Dyrehavsbakken, also known as Bakken, is the world’s oldest operating amusement park at 430 years old. Bakken has plenty of fun rides and games including drop towers, carnival games and 33 roller coasters, along with about 2,000 wild deer in the surrounding forest.
6. The Round Tower
This 17th-century tower is one of the best places in town from which to see the oldest parts of Copenhagen. At 36 metres tall it’s certainly not Copenhagen’s biggest tower, but Europe’s oldest functioning observatory offers a one-of-a-kind experience for stargazers and history lovers.
7. Street Food on Paper Island
Foodies from around the world unite on Paper Island where the city’s finest street food market delights the senses with an array of worldwide cuisine and live music. Food from Korea, Mexico, Italy, Denmark and more exotic destinations are all served out of food trucks along the waterfront.
Where Will You Find Hygge In Copenhagen?
Hygge is always around the corner in Copenhagen, where countless sights and experiences treat visitors to the local culture without thinning out their wallet. From free sightseeing tours to inexpensive meals and historic attractions, travellers needn’t spend much when exploring this charismatic city.
At HotelsCombined, we find that budget and boutique hotels located in Copenhagen’s city centre are very popular options. Copenhagen’s budget hotels adhere to the city’s cost-friendly mentality, providing budget-savvy travellers comfortable, convenient and modern places to stay with numerous room types.
The city’s boutique hotels, however, delight visitors with uniquely furnished rooms, cosy old-world on-site restaurants, more luxurious room options and easy access to Copenhagen’s main sights. Although boutique hotels typically cost more, they prove themselves worthy of the higher price thanks to attentive staff and touches of 5-star opulence. Travellers also prefer to book hotels with on-site breakfast options, either included in the total cost or available for a small fee.
Which Copenhagen hotel or attractions do you think would be perfect for your next holiday? Let us know in the comments below.
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