Copenhagen In January: Ultimate Guide & Travel Tips (2024)

I first visited Copenhagen in January and I instantly fell in love with the city. I’ve since been back many times at different stages of the year, and January remains one of my favourite times.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city to visit at any time of the year, but being at the start of the year, just after the mayhem of Christmas, you might wonder whether things are back up and running yet. I know I did before visiting.

Unfortunately, some things are closed like Tivoli Gardens, but that’s about it, and you can still have an incredible time in the city. One of the best bits is that there aren’t many tourists so it’s nice and quiet – which adds to the relaxed atmosphere Copenhagen already has.

To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve put together this complete guide to spending January in Copenhagen.

Is January A Good Time To Visit Copenhagen?

Yes! January is a great time to visit Copenhagen.

Visiting anywhere in Scandinavia in Winter is always a fun experience, for me, it gives an authentic experience as the countries are notoriously cold and visiting in Summer contrasts this.

Plus, visiting Copenhagen in January results in fewer crowds meaning lower prices as it’s not busy whatsoever. Copenhagen is expensive, so lower prices are definitely welcomed.

A trip to Copenhagen is a perfect way to start any year – I wish I could start every year with some time in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Weather in January

The weather in Copenhagen in January is pretty cold. It’s Winter in Copenhagen, so temperatures are at their lowest. That being said, it’s not overly rainy or windy, it’s just cold.

You can expect a daily average temperature of 1°C (34°F). So it’s pretty nippy to say the least.

But for the most part, it’s dry most days meaning your trip won’t be hindered by poor weather conditions, just make sure you wrap up warm.

A picture of Christiansborg palace from down a street looking down to it.

During the 3 days I spent in Copenhagen, I saw the sun once and it was as I got on the train to go back to the airport.

I would describe Copenhagen’s January weather as “grey”. The clouds dominate the sky, meaning it’s relatively dark all day long. The photo above shows the weather throughout my trip.

And if you’re wondering if there is a chance of snow in Copenhagen, there’s a moderate chance it may snow. But in my opinion, this only makes Copenhagen all the more magical.

What To Expect In Copenhagen In January

When visiting Copenhagen at the start of the year, you will have completely different expectations compared to visiting in Summer.

For a start, expect Copenhagen to be extremely quiet. There were very few tourists around when I visited.

I was the only one at the top of The Round Tower for 15 minutes on my own, had 3 rows between me and the next person on a canal tour, and managed to get photos at the main attractions with no one else in them. What more can you ask for?

One important thing to note is that Tivoli Gardens is closed in January. It is one of Copenhagen’s main attractions but it is closed throughout January as it closes between Christmas and the new season in Spring.

Don’t worry, Copenhagen is worth visiting even with Tivoli Gardens being closed.

Bonus Tip: Most things in Copenhagen close on a Monday, so try to avoid staying in Copenhagen over a Monday.

Of course, with fewer crowds come lower prices, for example, for accommodation. Visiting Copenhagen in January is a very good idea as Copenhagen is expensive to visit, so visiting during the off-peak season can help to make a trip more affordable compared to the high prices of the summer.

Lastly, you can expect to have an amazing trip. Copenhagen is one of the happiest cities in the world. You get a real sense of contentment and happiness, the vibe is great and everyone is so chilled and relaxed. You can set your expectations high because Copenhagen will smash them!

This is one of the reasons I fell in love with Copenhagen and keep coming back: the people are amazing and the atmosphere is so peaceful.

Holidays In January In Copenhagen

Aside from New Year’s Day on the 1st of January, there are no holidays in Copenhagen in the month of January. Don’t worry though- the Copenhageners are always happy, as I said before, Copenhagen is one of the happiest and safest cities in the world.

What To Wear In Copenhagen In January

As I said, Copenhagen is pretty cold throughout January. For this reason, it’s important to wrap up warm. The best tip I can give is to wear layers. This means you can take off layers if you get too warm, and add them back on if you get too cold.

During my trip, I wore 4 layers at all times. This consisted of:

  • T-shirt
  • Gym quarter-zip
  • Fleece
  • Coat
A picture of me at the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen in January.
A typical outfit of mine during my trip to Copenhagen in the first month of the year.

These 4 layers ensured I was warm and cosy no matter what temperature it was outside. I also wore a hat and gloves for the first time in Copenhagen. I’m not usually a big fan of hats, but it got so chilly at night time that my ears told me I had no choice.

Wrap up warm! That’s the key.

Best Things To Do In Copenhagen In January

No matter how many days you spend in Copenhagen (I recommend 3 days), you’ll need some things to do. As Tivoli Gardens is closed, you may need some other ideas. So here are 5 great things to do in Copenhagen in January.

1. Go ice skating outdoors

Frederiksberg Runddel provides the opportunity to go ice skating outdoors every winter in Copenhagen. From November until February, you can go ice skating on this incredible outdoor ice rink for as little as DKK 50 (£5.90 / $7.30 / €6.72). It’s one of the most wintery things you can do in Copenhagen in January, and it’s so much fun too!

Outdoor ice-skating rink in Copenhagen bustling with skaters of all ages, the smooth ice reflecting the clear blue sky, with urban park scenery and the city's television tower in the background.

2. Take a bike tour

As it’s so cold, taking a bike tour of Copenhagen is a great way to stay warm and also see the city. Copenhagen is an extremely cycle-friendly city and it’s the most popular way for the locals to get around. Experience Copenhagen in a unique fashion and see the main sights from the seat of a bicycle. Book a tour now by clicking here.

3. Visit Nyhavn

Nyhavn is the staple of Copenhagen’s tourism- it’s the coloured houses everyone pictures when someone says “Copenhagen”. Visiting in January, you can avoid the crowds and get nice pictures without anyone else in them. Not to mention how pretty the houses are, it’s something straight out of a dream.

A picture of me at the coloured houses at Nyhavn in Copenhagen in January.

4. See the animals at Copenhagen Zoo

Copenhagen Zoo is usually extremely busy, it’s one of the best zoos in the world home to pandas and polar bears along with hundreds of other animals. Visiting in January once again allows you to avoid the crowds. I spent 20 minutes at the panda enclosure and I was the only one there! Some people wonder “Is Copenhagen Zoo worth visiting?” and my answer is absolutely!

5. Explore the castles and palaces

Rosenborg, Christiansborg, Amelianborg, Frederiksberg, the list goes on. Copenhagen is home to plenty of incredible castles and palaces. And churches too! Copenhagen is known as “The City of Spires” and exploring any of the castles and palaces is a great way to spend time in Copenhagen in any month.

A picture of Rosenborg castle.

FAQs

Below are a number of questions related to visiting Copenhagen in January, along with my answers.

Is Denmark worth visiting in January?

Yes! Without a doubt, Copenhagen is worth visiting in January. There are much fewer crowds and prices are lower too. So it’s a great way to save money and see the city without thousands of tourists.

Does Copenhagen get snow in January?

Yes, Copenhagen gets snow in January. This only makes the city even more magical, transforming Copenhagen into a winter wonderland. Visiting Scandinavia in Winter is an experience never to forget.

How cold is Copenhagen in January?

Copenhagen in January is pretty cold, with an average daily temperature of 1°C. The days are pretty dry though and mainly consist of grey clouds filling the sky and blocking the sun. It’s bearable if you wear plenty of layers to stay warm.

How many hours of daylight in Copenhagen in January?

Sunrise in Copenhagen in January is around 8:30 am and sunset is around 4 pm. Meaning there are just under 8 hours of daylight. As the month goes on, sunrise gets earlier and sunset gets later as Copenhagen moves out of winter and towards spring.

Is Copenhagen nice in January?

Yes, Copenhagen is very nice in January. It’s quiet with few crowds, everything is cheaper than in summer, and the weather is okay if you wear enough layers. January is a great time to visit Copenhagen.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a complete guide to visiting Copenhagen in January.

Copenhagen is an amazing city to visit at any time of the year and visiting in January comes with added bonuses. It’s very quiet and there are few tourists which makes the trip even better, even with Tivoli Gardens being closed in January.

So enjoy your trip to the capital of Denmark, I hope you have a great time!