Copenhagen Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Visiting the capital of Denmark is a must-do on your European tour and getting on a sightseeing bus is always a great option, because you will be able to see the great beauties of the city from above. There is so much to see and do in Copenhagen and if you have just enough time and want the best itineraries, then a sightseeing bus is for you.

Copenhagen is a city of sightseeing. One of the main things to do in this beautiful city is simply to feast your eyes on the beautiful facades of Copenhagen's finest buildings. That's why I will always recommend you to book a sightseeing bus tour so you can get an overview of what the city is like.

There are several companies that provide double-decker sightseeing bus services, but I recommend Stromma, because it has three different routes in one package that you can use for at least two days:

• Copenhagen Classic.
• Copenhagen Colourful.
• Urban Green.

You will be able to organise your own itinerary, depending on the interests of the different tourist sites you visit, and you will also be able to optimise your time by visiting the most important attractions such as Tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace and The Little Mermaid.

Copenhagen has many attractions to see and that's why the tour bus companies offer different routes. However, there is one main route, the Copenhagen Classic, which will take you to the most important sights and others that allow you to see other parts of the city.

You also have the option of booking a package tour that includes one or both of the other two routes. In this case, these routes are not available every day of the year like the Classic, but you can check that before buying your tickets for the Copenhagen sightseeing bus. The themes of the two routes are different, with one focusing on the parks and the other on the canals.

Copenhagen Classic Route

Without a doubt, the Copenhagen Classic route is the most popular among tourists because it has all the must-see sights in the capital of Denmark. When you get on this bus, you will make a tour that passes through:

• Ved Stranden
• New King's Square (Kongens Nytorv)
• Marble Church
• Gefion Fountain
• The Little Mermaid (The Little Mermaid)
• Rosenborg Castle
• Gammel Tov
• Town Hall
• Tivoli Royal Hotel
• Fisketorvet / Tivoli Hotel
• Kalvebod Waves / Marriott Hotel
• Royal Danish Library (Black Diamond)
• Amalienborg Palace

Copenhagen Green Route

The Green Copenhagen route mainly runs through the Frederiksberg district and here you will have more contact with nature, royal parks and scientific sites. When you are on this bus, you will be able to pass by:

• Planetarium
• Old Royal Street (Gammel Kongevej)
• Frederiksberg Shopping Center
• Frederiksberg Town Hall
• Royal Copenhagen Outlet
• Copenhagen Zoo/Cisternene
• De Små Haver/Carlsberg/Bakkehuset
• Frederiksberg Gardens
• Meatpacking/Kødbyen/Scandic District

Copenhagen Colourful Route

The Colourful Copenhagen route, on the other hand, usually follows the coastline of Copenhagen's canals. This route can be an introduction to the best things to do in Christiania, a beautiful district of Copenhagen. The stops are:

• Ved Stranden
• Christianshavn
• Christiania Freetown
• Copenhagen Opera House
• Street Food/Reffen
• Islands Brygge/Casino Copenhagen

What I like the most about this Copenhagen sightseeing bus tour is that it includes three different routes with very different itineraries and themes that you will love. Without a doubt, the most essential route is the Classic route, because it is where you will be able to see all the main attractions of the oldest city and I recommend you to dedicate at least half a day to this itinerary and book your seat in the Copenhagen tourist bus in advance.

But unless you are only in Copenhagen for one or two days, my best recommendation is to do the other two routes of the tourist bus. It doesn't matter if you're looking for things to do in the city in winter or if you're going in a warm month: the Green Copenhagen tour will allow you to see a much more peaceful city and the Colourful Copenhagen tour, a vibrant, coastal world.

The best thing also about these routes is that you can get off and get back on the bus as many times as you want during the days you have the package. This means that you can visit several attractions that are of interest to you in the same day with very little time difference. This is the best way to optimise your time, particularly if you are visiting Copenhagen for two days.

The most touristic part of Copenhagen is quite compact and if you buy a seat on the Copenhagen sightseeing bus it will be much more dynamic. The entire Classic route takes no more than an hour and a half, so you'll be able to hop on and off at a fairly brisk pace. This can be your mode of transport for a whole day of sightseeing, if you take one of the best tours of Copenhagen.

The other routes are considerably shorter. In the case of the Green Copenhagen route, the non-stop ride takes about 45 minutes, while the Colourful Copenhagen route can take up to 55 minutes. Please note that these routes vary in frequency depending on the season and that the only permanent route is the one through classic Copenhagen.

You can see all the best of Copenhagen on board one of the city' s sightseeing buses on one of three main routes. These routes allow you to take in some of the city's most beautiful sights. Among these main attractions, you shouldn't miss any of the following:

Marble Church

Also known as Frederick's Church, the Marble Church is one of the first stops you will have if you get on the classic tourist bus route. This church will not leave you indifferent, as it is a magnificent example of baroque architecture and has a certain similarity with the ecclesiastical complex of the Vatican City.

In truth, the style of this church is quite eclectic, as its construction was spread over a century and a half, which finally gave it the baroque imprint. The most striking feature is its imposing green dome, which you can climb for an entrance fee of around 5 €.

The church is open every day between 10:00 and 17:00, with the exception of Fridays and Sundays, when it is open from 12:00 to 17:00. Please note that you need to be there before 1pm to go up to the dome, so coordinate your itinerary with the bus.

Amalienborg Palace

Not so early: don't get back on the tour bus yet, because very close to the Marble Church is the Amalienborg Palace. This is actually a collection of at least four palaces with an inner square and they are so important because they are the residence of the Danish royal family during the winter months.

Here you can see all the protocols of the monarchies, such as the changing of the royal guard, flag-raising and martial bands. You can also enter one of the four palaces, the Palace of Christian VIII, which houses the Amalienborg Museum, one of the main attractions for tourists.

The museum is open between 10am and 3pm and admission costs around €14, but the changing of the guard usually starts at 11.30am. That's why my recommendation is to watch the changing of the guard, go to the museum, take the best pictures in the square with the statue of Frederick V and then continue with the tour.

The Little Mermaid

Although it may look like it's from Disney, The Little Mermaid has a much earlier origin. When you continue your tour along the Classic Copenhagen route, you will come across The Little Mermaid, the city's most famous landmark. As you approach, you'll see that it's a black statue standing on a rock by the city's harbour.

This statue of a beautiful woman with a mermaid's tail dates from the early 20th century and is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, written more than a century before Disney adapted it and made the story a global sensation. When you're nearby, you'll be able to take pictures and leave your memories of the most famous landmark in all of Copenhagen.

Rosenborg Castle

It's hard to believe that a castle of this size is in the middle of Copenhagen, but you'll be amazed when you see it. Rosenborg Castle dates back to the early 17th century and is quite striking for its height and brick Renaissance style with multiple modifications. Although you can spend a long time taking pictures of the façade, the best part is inside.

When you enter the castle, you can admire the Danish crown jewels. This space has become a museum of the most precious pieces of all the monarchy of Denmark, so it is always full of tourists who love to see them.

Making a museum in a tall castle and not wide was a challenge and when you are inside you will be able to certify it. This castle is a must-see when touring the best castles in Copenhagen, so why not take it for a spin?

Royal Danish Library

Another of the great symbols of Copenhagen is the Royal Danish Library, known as the Black Diamond. It is the largest library in Northern Europe and although it has several centuries of history, this modern building was inaugurated in 1999 and since then it has become one of the symbols of the city.

Its glass façade allows the sea to be reflected, but also allows you to appreciate the canals once you are inside one of the eight floors of this great building. If you are worried about entering and not being able to read anything because everything is in Danish, there are rooms with books in other languages. In any case, you don't have to read to get in, as the architecture alone is worth it.

You can visit this library from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 21:00 and Saturdays between 9:00 and 19:00, so I recommend you leave it for the late afternoon so you can have the chance to see the sunset light from there.

Tivoli

Although it sounds like an Italian name, Tivoli is one of the most important parts of Copenhagen because its gardens have stolen the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Despite its name, Tivoli Gardens is said to be the world's oldest active amusement park.

The beautiful archway at the entrance shows the history of this park, which was created by royal order as a place for leisure and today has an entrance fee of around €20. Once inside, you can eat at exclusive restaurants, enjoy celebrations and cultural events and, no doubt, take a ride on many of the attractions.

Gammel Kongevej

At the beginning of the Copenhagen Green Tourist Bus route you will find a stop at Gammel Kongevej, which can be translated as the Old Royal Street. This is the main shopping street in the Frederiksberg district, where most of this route runs. Even if you don't buy anything, walking a few blocks along this street will be worth it.

Gammel Kongevej is a street whose origins date back to the 17th century, but its current composition is from the 19th century and has undergone a beautiful architectural transformation. You can just walk along, relax and wait for the next tourist bus. Being here in the evenings is also very interesting, making it one of the best things to do in the evenings in Copenhagen.

Frederiksberg Gardens

Also to wait, rest and breathe are the Frederiksberg Gardens. These gardens look like something out of a postcard, as they are the ideal place to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the bucolic and romantic scenery. The tour bus can drop you off at these gardens for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

It is well worth a half hour in these gardens, which are full of ponds where different birds perch. You can also spend some time looking for a tree that is full of baby dummies, commemorating a tradition of Danish parents who hang up their dummies once their children have stopped using them. Isn't it curious?

Copenhagen Opera House

On the colourful Copenhagen route, the most striking site to visit is the Copenhagen Opera House. It's another phenomenal piece of architecture, on an island just off the coast that you can't miss. This is a truly modern theatre and was opened in 2004, after three years of construction. Its quality of construction is matched by the composition of its halls and spaces.

There are constantly opera seasons, especially in the evenings, so if you want and have time to go, I recommend buying tickets for an opera performance in Copenhagen. Guided tours are also available for around 14 €, but in English.

Despite being a member of the European Union, Denmark's currency is Danish kroner and this makes understanding prices and fares in Copenhagen a little complicated. Tourist bus fares will vary according to the length of time to be used and the route selected. The most basic plan is the 24-hour classic route, which can cost around €25.

However, better packages are available if you're staying longer and want to see the other areas. The classic route for 48 hours can cost around €30, the same as if you book a package for the same length of time on the green or coloured routes. But if you want to have access to the tourist bus for 48 hours on all three routes, it can cost around €48. By having access to all three routes, you will be able to tour the best palaces in Copenhagen just by getting around on this bus.

The most important thing about sightseeing buses is continuity. Tourists need to be able to get on and off fairly frequently and this is true of this Copenhagen bus. On the classic route, departure starts at 9:10am, while the last bus leaves from the first stop at 5:30pm. In other words, the service runs for more than eight uninterrupted hours.

For the green route and the coloured route, the frequency is lower and, in particular, varies depending on the time of year. Both are active in high season and particularly in summer, when there is more to do, but they do not operate every day of the year like the classic route. Although they have a lower frequency, the timetable is usually quite similar.

Just like a normal bus. The process for using these buses is simply to wait for the contracted tour bus at the bus stop, where once it arrives, your tickets will be checked and you can hop on and off as many times as you like during the paid period, whether it is 24 or 48 hours. This tour bus will travel along the route, but there are several of them, so you won't have to wait long to get on the next one.

Dogs are allowed on the bus, but they must be small dogs that fit in a bag. There is access for pushchairs, so you can include this in the things to do in Copenhagen with children, but there is no wheelchair friendly entrance. Also note that there is no toilet, although some stops such as the Little Mermaid have one. Also, in case of rain, the top of the bus will be covered with a roof.