Ultimate Guide to Spring in Copenhagen (Things To Do + Tips)

Spring in Copenhagen is my favourite season to visit, and honestly, it’s one of the prettiest times of year too.

Think blossom-filled walks, the return of outdoor café culture, bikes seeming to outnumber cars, and a vibrant atmosphere as the city wakes up after winter!

At this time of year, the city feels calm and easy to explore (especially for me as a solo female traveller), without the overwhelming summer crowds.

So after spending time exploring everywhere from the most iconic spots to the quieter hidden gems, and figuring out what’s genuinely worth your time in spring (and what isn’t), I’ve pulled everything into one practical guide for you!

Ready? I’ll share the best things to do, what the weather’s really like, what to wear, and the little tricks that make a spring trip to Copenhagen easier and more enjoyable!

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When Is Spring in Copenhagen?

Spring in Copenhagen is the months of March to May.

But the time most people imagine when they picture spring in Copenhagen is really mid-April to early-May, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom!

March can still feel decidedly wintery, with a chill in the air and bare trees. While May starts to feel like early summer, with longer evenings, better weather and warmer temperatures.

Katie’s Top Tip: If your dream trip to Copenhagen involves cherry blossoms and tulips, late April is typically the most reliable window for that.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring in Copenhagen!
Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Copenhagen in spring!

Weather in Copenhagen in Spring

The weather in Copenhagen in spring is changeable but definitely not awful!

(I know, that’s a great description! But it’s true!)

Average temperatures usually sit around:

  • 1–6°C in March
  • 4–11°C in April
  • 8–16°C in May

So it’s rarely extremely cold, but also rarely hot. And the wind chill off the water can make it feel cooler, depending on where you are in the city.

Rain tends to show up as light, spring showers rather than all-day downpours (very similar to my home in the UK!), so you can still explore as long as you have some good waterproofs!

Daylight is one of the biggest advantages of visiting in late spring:

  • In March, you’re getting between 10 hours 43 minutes (1st) and 13 hours (31st)
  • In April, you’re getting between 13 hours 6 minutes (1st) and 15 hours 16 minutes (30th)
  • In May, you’re getting between 15 hours 20 minutes (1st) and 17 hours 5 minutes (31st)

And that extra daylight genuinely changes the experience, as you’ll have more time to get out and explore, as well as safer-feeling evenings if you’re a solo traveller like me!

Katie’s Top Tip: When planning your outfit, always check the wind speed, not just the temperature. A sunny day will feel much cooler by the water if it’s breezy.

The weather is often a real mix of sunshine and clouds in Copenhagen in spring
The weather is often a real mix of sunshine and clouds in Copenhagen in spring

Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting in Spring? Pros & Cons

If you want to enjoy the beautiful city of Copenhagen without the overwhelming summer crowds, then absolutely yes, Copenhagen is worth visiting in spring!

Here are some pros of spring in Copenhagen:

  • The spring season is genuinely beautiful, with cherry blossoms and tulips in full bloom across Copenhagen’s parks!
  • There are fewer tourists than in summer, so you can actually enjoy Nyhavn Harbour and Tivoli Gardens without crowds.
  • By April and May, the evenings are much longer, which means you have more sightseeing time without feeling rushed.
  • The weather is genuinely comfortable for sightseeing – cool enough to walk all day without melting!
  • Accommodation prices are more affordable than in peak season, although still not cheap.
  • Seasonal events, markets, and reopening attractions add extra things to do in spring in Copenhagen!
  • Outdoor café culture returns, which gives the city a lively, social atmosphere.
Exploring the colourful city centre of Copenhagen!
Exploring the colourful city centre of Copenhagen!

But of course, Copenhagen in spring isn’t perfect. So here are some cons to consider:

  • The weather can be unpredictable, so layers are essential.
  • It’s definitely not warm enough for summer outfits yet (especially in early spring).
  • Prices are lower than in summer, but still high overall. Copenhagen is not a budget city.
  • Some attractions still have shorter opening hours in early spring, especially in March.
  • Evenings can feel quiet (especially mid-week) before the full tourist season kicks in.
  • The harbour areas and canal boat tours can feel colder than walking the streets, thanks to wind chill off the water.
Walking near Langelinie Park in Copenhagen
Walking near Langelinie Park in Copenhagen

7 Best Things To Do in Copenhagen in Spring

1. See the Cherry Blossoms

Seeing the cherry blossoms is one of the most magical things to do in Copenhagen in spring, and it’s the reason a lot of people (including me!) time their trip for this season.

My personal favourite spot is Langelinie Park, where cherry trees line the waterfront.

You can walk underneath the trees or enjoy a spectacular view overlooking the park. And often the breeze from the water will whip up the petals until they float around you!

Cherry blossoms in Langelinie Park in April!
Cherry blossoms in Langelinie Park in April!

But Langelinie isn’t the only place to see them.

Blossoms are found all over the city in parks, along the waterfront, and even on random streets, so you’re never relying on just one place to be in full bloom!

And what I love most is that blossom season turns every day walks into something special.

You don’t need to buy a ticket or queue for an attraction to experience the best of spring in Copenhagen. Just head out for a relaxed walk and let the stunning scenery come to you!

If you want a full breakdown of exact locations and timings, I’ve written a full guide to where to see cherry blossoms in Copenhagen!

Katie’s Top Tip: If you want to see the blossoms, head out in the early morning (ideally on a weekday) for softer light, fewer people around, and no one in the way of your photos.

Looking out over Copenhagen's beautiful spring blossom trees
Looking out over Copenhagen’s beautiful spring blossom trees

2. Enjoy a City Walk Along the Canals

One of the simplest but most rewarding things to do in Copenhagen in spring is just walking.

The weather in Copenhagen in spring is usually cool but comfortable, which makes it perfect for long, relaxed strolls along the canals!

During my spring trip, I especially loved wandering along Nyhavn for the iconic waterfront view, then looping through the underrated Botanical Gardens, and continuing through the city past landmarks like Amalienborg Palace and Rundetårn.

Walking along the water in Copenhagen
Walking along the water in Copenhagen

Everything feels close together, so you naturally cover a lot without even realising you’ve basically completed your cardio workout for the day!

And if walking alone doesn’t sound fun, you can absolutely join a guided walking tour for the same amazing experience.

They’re a great way to get context on the city while you see both the iconic spots and the lesser-known hidden gems only locals know!

Katie’s Top Tip: Plan a general route with the landmarks you want to see, but don’t forget to wander in between! A lot of my favourite moments and photos were on quiet side streets I’d never planned to visit!

Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace

3. Visit Tivoli (Even If You Don’t Love Rides!)

You may not know this, but Tivoli isn’t just about rollercoasters.

In spring in Copenhagen, it’s actually one of the prettiest places in the entire city because of the tulip displays and other varieties of seasonal flowers.

So even if theme parks aren’t normally your thing (same, same!), Tivoli feels more like a relaxed garden that just happens to have rides, rather than the other way round!

Stunning tulips at Tivoli!
Stunning tulips at Tivoli!

Everywhere you look in spring, there are pots bursting with colour, rows of tulips lining the edge of the lake, and even cherry blossoms overhead.

Plus, it’s not as busy as you might think – especially if you visit towards the end of the day!

Katie’s Top Tip: Visit Tivoli on a weekday for the quietest experience, ideally just after opening or in the late afternoon.

The boat lake at Tivoli Park
The boat lake at Tivoli Park

4. Take an Open Canal Boat Trip

If you only do one paid activity in spring in Copenhagen, I’d definitely recommend a canal boat tour – and specifically one that has an open top.

Seeing the city from the water gives you a completely different perspective of the colourful houses, low bridges, and even blossom-lined banks.

It’s one of the most relaxing ways to spend an hour, especially after a morning of sightseeing!

Views from the water on my boat trip!
Views from the water on my boat trip!

As I said, I much prefer an open boat if it’s a mild, sunny day. But if the spring weather isn’t playing nice, there are covered boat tours too, so you won’t miss out!

Either way, you’ll still sail past major landmarks and iconic canals like Nyhavn, plus see quieter residential spots you might never have visited otherwise!

Katie’s Top Tip: Always dress in layers for a canal boat tour, even on sunny days. The breeze on the water is always cooler than it feels when you’re out exploring the city on foot.

Copenhagen's colourful canals
Copenhagen’s colourful canals

5. Visit an Outdoor Café

One of my favourite things to do in Copenhagen in spring is sitting at an outdoor café with a coffee or pastry, and just watching the world go by!

As soon as the temperature rises and the sun comes out, terraces open up, and once again locals and tourists alike are out and about enjoying an outdoor lifestyle.

When I solo travel, I love to people-watch at cafés or even just spend time journaling about my trip. It’s a lovely way to relax in between sightseeing!

Katie’s Top Tip: I personally recommend Café Wilder and Parterre Christianshavn.

Seeing Nyhavn harbour from the water
Nyhavn Harbour, lined with outdoor cafés!

6. Rent a Bike

Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. And renting a bike lets you see far more of the city than you ever would on foot.

Dedicated bike lanes are everywhere, drivers are very used to cyclists, and the streets are flat, which makes riding a bike in Copenhagen far less intimidating than it probably sounds!

With cycling, I love how easy it is to hop between neighbourhoods at your own pace!

Katie’s Top Tip: If you are going to rent a bike during your trip, make sure your outfit is comfortable enough to pedal in and that your bag sits securely cross-body.

Passing by monuments like "The Little Mermaid"
Passing by monuments like “The Little Mermaid”

7. Take a Day Trip to Sweden

Yes – you can genuinely visit a whole other country in just one day from Copenhagen, and it’s super easy to do!

Trains regularly cross the Øresund Bridge to Malmö or Lund in Sweden in just 40 minutes.

Both Swedish cities are beautiful and well worth visiting, but on my trip, I totally fell in love with the charming university city of Lund.

Lund is smaller and quieter than Malmö, with peaceful old-town-esque streets, a striking cathedral, and lots of outdoor cafés to enjoy.

But my favourite spot in spring is the Lund Botanical garden, which is where you’ll find the most spectacular cherry blossoms, magnolia, daffodils and even tulips – all for free!

Katie’s Top Tip: Carry your passport or ID with you, even though you’re still travelling in Europe. ID checks on the trains are rare but possible.

Lund Botanical Garden, Sweden
Lund Botanical Garden, Sweden

Spring Events in Copenhagen

As well as the amazing things to do in Copenhagen in spring, the season is also when the events calendar starts to pick up again:

The Copenhagen Sakura (cherry blossom) Festival is most popular with tourists, and it is hosted in Langelinie Park to celebrate the arrival of spring.

The festival takes place for one weekend each April, with events and performances to enjoy throughout the park. And it’s completely free to attend!

Another popular event is the Copenhagen marathon, which is usually held in May.

It’s a fun, lively atmosphere around race day. But keep in mind that lots of the streets will be closed for it, which may affect your sightseeing plans.

And finally, there is also the Copenhagen Bloom Festival, also held in May.

The festival is dedicated to science and nature, and is again totally free to visit, with talks and live music. It is held in Søndermarken park.

Katie’s Top Tip: Just keep in mind that, with any event, accommodation prices will rise and Copenhagen will be significantly busier.

Spring in Tivoli Park
Spring in Tivoli Park

Sample Copenhagen in Spring Itinerary

2–3 days is a good length of time for spring in Copenhagen. Here’s a rough idea of how you could make the most of your stay:

Day 1: Get your bearings with a walk (or walking tour) around the city, passing famous sights like Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace and the cherry blossoms at Langelinie Park. Then, in the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed boat tour along the canals.

The Nyhavn Canal
The Nyhavn Canal

Day 2: In the morning, head to Tivoli when it opens for yet more beautiful spring blooms (tulips and cherry blossoms!) And, if rides are your thing, morning is perfect for that too. Then, enjoy a more relaxed afternoon with a city walk, bike ride, or café hopping.

Spring tulips at Tivoli!
Spring tulips at Tivoli!

Day 3: Your third day is perfect for a day trip to Sweden! I recommend visiting Lund in the morning, specifically heading to the botanical garden for spring blossoms and tulips. Then, if you have time, hop across to Malmö too, and spend the afternoon exploring Slottsparken!

Walking around the lake in Malmö, on a day trip from Copenhagen!
Walking around the lake in Malmö, on a day trip from Copenhagen!

What To Wear in Copenhagen in Spring

Figuring out what to wear in Copenhagen in spring is all about smart layering.

During my trip in late April, I wore a mix of short and long-sleeve tops with jeans, and then layered a light jacket and/or a light coat on top.

This combo works for most spring trips because it is easy to adjust the different layers.

You might need to do this as temperatures shift throughout the day, if it suddenly rains, or if you join a boat tour where it is chillier.

And Copenhagen’s style is very minimal anyway, so practical layers don’t feel out of place.

As well as dressing in layers, comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city and easily explored on foot, but I still easily clocked up anywhere from 10-20k steps in a day – often without even realising!

Katie’s Top Tip: I swear by a simple capsule wardrobe for all of my city breaks. I pack neutral trousers or jeans, tops that can mix and match with any bottoms, and then show my style with a couple of jackets and/or light coats, and accessories like scarves.

It's always chillier by the water in Copenhagen!
It’s always chillier by the water in Copenhagen!

Budget Expectations in Spring

Copenhagen has an, honestly, well-deserved reputation for being expensive. But spring in Copenhagen is one of the more “affordable” times to visit.

Notably, flights and hotels are more affordable in spring than they are in peak summer, because you’re visiting just outside of peak popularity.

Accommodation is still likely to be your biggest expense. But if you can be flexible, you’ll usually find better prices and more availability mid-week compared to weekends.

Food prices stay consistent year-round, but spring makes it easier to balance costs because you can spend more time outdoors (e.g. with a supermarket picnic lunch!)

But where you can really win in spring is with free activities.

A lot of the best things to do in Copenhagen in spring (like seeing the blossoms in Langelinie Park or walking along the canals) cost nothing at all!

Katie’s Top Tip: Book flights and accommodation at least 6–8 weeks ahead if you can. Even in shoulder season, the most affordable hotels book up quickly. But I would also recommend booking free cancellation and re-checking prices up until that expires, as sometimes hotels do reduce room rates to fill them last-minute.

Some of the best things to do in Copenhagen are free - like walking around the iconic city centre!
Some of the best things to do in Copenhagen are free – like walking around the iconic city centre!

Getting Around Copenhagen in Spring

Getting around Copenhagen is one of the easiest parts of visiting, as the city is flat, compact, and well-connected by public transport.

In spring in Copenhagen, walking is the best way to get around, because the weather is cool enough for comfort but also generally mild enough that it’s not awful to be outside.

Most major sights are within 15–25 minutes of each other on foot, and the streets felt safe and well-lit for me as a solo traveller – even into the evening.

Alternatively, do as the locals do, and cycle everywhere within the city!

Public transport is also straightforward.

Inside the city centre, there is a reliable metro and bus service. And there is also an international train station for longer journeys or easy day trips.

You'll always see the best of Copenhagen by walking!
You’ll always see the best of Copenhagen by walking!

Where to Stay For Spring in Copenhagen

I recommend staying in central Copenhagen so you can easily walk almost everywhere.

Areas like Indre By (the historic centre), Nyhavn, and around Kongens Nytorv are perfect because you’re super close to all of the main things to do in spring.

In terms of hotels:

71 Nyhavn Hotel is a truly stunning, luxury choice if you want the most iconic canal views and colourful buildings right outside your window.

Or if you want something a bit more budget-friendly but still central and modern, Go Hotel Østerport is a great option that’s close to the cherry blossoms in Langelinie Park!

Katie’s Top Tip: Prioritise location over everything. In spring, you’ll want to be out and about exploring the city a lot and admiring those blossom-filled parks, so walkability is key!

I recommend staying close to Nyhavn, in the centre of Copenhagen
I recommend staying close to Nyhavn, in the centre of Copenhagen

Final Thoughts: Spring in Copenhagen

There’s a reason I keep coming back for spring in Copenhagen!

It is, in my opinion, the very best season to experience the city, with an atmosphere that feels lively but not overwhelmingly busy, parks full of beautiful cherry blossoms and tulips, longer daylight hours, and the return of outdoor café culture.

So, whether you’re coming for the blossoms, the iconic photo stops, the (surprisingly great!) food scene or just a fun city break, this season truly gives you the best of Copenhagen!

FAQs: Visiting Copenhagen in Spring

Are blossoms guaranteed for my spring trip to Copenhagen?

I wish I could say 100% yes, but nature doesn’t work that way! Blossoms in Copenhagen usually flower between late March and early May, but exact timings change every year depending on how mild or cold the winter was.

But I will say that, if you visit between late April and early May, your chances of seeing them are very high!

Is Copenhagen too cold in spring?

Spring in Copenhagen is not freezing cold, but also not warm either. Think light coat weather, rather than sundress weather! Early spring still feels cold, especially in March when temperatures often sit around 1–6°C, but by April/May you’ll usually see 8–16°C during the day.

Is Copenhagen expensive in spring?

Copenhagen is never a budget city break, but spring is actually one of the better value times to visit. Prices are lower than in peak summer, especially for hotels and flights, and you’ll find more availability too.

Plus, spring also opens up a lot more free or low-cost experiences, like picnics in the park, seeing the cherry blossom or browsing outdoor markets!

How long do you need for spring in Copenhagen?

For most visitors, 2–3 full days in Copenhagen is the sweet spot. That gives you plenty of time to see the main highlights of the city, admire the cherry blossoms, join a canal boat tour, and maybe even add in a day trip to nearby Sweden!

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