Amsterdam
Copenhagen
Travelers often compare Amsterdam and Copenhagen because both offer canals, a cycling culture, and compact historic centers.
Within minutes from their airports (Schiphol and CPH) you reach the city center.Here you’ll find museums, parks and local eateries, with neighborhoods like De Pijp and Vesterbro perfect for staying.The differences: Amsterdam excels in art (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh), canal cruises and nightlife around Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.
Copenhagen offers Tivoli, Danish design (Strøget, Illums) and up-and-coming districts like Kødbyen.Average prices are higher in Copenhagen, the weather is windier, and there’s quick access to Amager Strandpark.In this comparative guide you’ll find prices in €, visiting times in hours/minutes, distances in km and practical itineraries.
I cover daily budget, attractions, food, transport, safety, families, shopping and how to combine both cities.Each section has concrete tips and logical links for planners.Amsterdam vs Copenhagen
| Feature | Amsterdam | Copenhagen |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Amsterdam a dorm bed costs €35-55 (e.g., ClinkNOORD), 3* hotels €130-180 (e.g., Hotel JL No76), 4* €180-250.Meals: sandwich at Albert Cuypmarkt €6-8, lunch menu €12-15, average dinner €18-24 per dish (e.g., De Pijp).GVB transport: 1h ticket €3,40, day pass €9.Taxi downtown 3 km €12-18.Daily budget: €90-140 (hostel), €180-240 (mid), €300-500 (luxury with canal cruise €18-25).✓ Better | In Copenhagen hostel €30-50 (e.g., Steel House), 3* hotels €140-190, 4* €190-260.Meals: smørrebrød at Aamanns 145-165 DKK (€19-22), average dinner €22-30 per dish (150-220 DKK) in Vesterbro.Transport: City Pass Small 24h 80 DKK (€10,7), metro airport–center 36 DKK (€4,8).Beer 45-60 DKK (€6-8).Taxi 3 km 120-170 DKK (€16-23).Budget: €110-160 (hostel), €200-280 (mid), €350-550 (luxury with Copenhagen Card 459 DKK). |
| Top attractions | The Rijksmuseum (€22,50; 2-3 hours) and the Van Gogh Museum (€22; 1.5-2 hours) are musts in Museumplein.The Anne Frank House (€16; 60-90 min) requires booking.Canal cruise 60 min €18-25.The Heineken Experience (€23; 90 min) rounds things out.Distances: Museumplein–Centraal 2.5 km (tram 12 min).Tip: 09:00-11:00 slot to avoid lines. | In Copenhagen the Tivoli Gardens cost 155 DKK (€21) (2-4 hours; rides extra).Rosenborg 135 DKK (€18; 60-90 min) with the Crown Jewels.The Rundetårn 40 DKK (€5,4; 45 min).Nyhavn is free (30-60 min).Den Blå Planet 204 DKK (€27; 2 hours), 7 km away (metro 14 min).Tip: Tivoli after 19:00 for the lights. |
| Food and restaurants | Typical dishes: stroopwafel, haring, poffertjes, erwtensoep.Try Pancakes Amsterdam (€9-12), herring from Stubbe’s Haring €3,5, apple pie at Café Winkel 43 €5,5. At Foodhallen dishes €7-12. Dutch dinner at Restaurant Greetje €28-36 per dish; fine dining De Kas menu €69-79. Draft beer €4,5-6. Markets: Albert Cuypmarkt and Waterlooplein for snacks €2-5.✓ Better | Typical dishes: smørrebrød, frikadeller, flæskesteg, rød pølse.Smørrebrød at Schønnemann 120-160 DKK (€16-21).Reffen street food €8-12, Tivoli Food Hall €10-15. Fish at Kødbyens Fiskebar dishes €24-34. Fine dining: Geranium 3* menu 3200 DKK (€430).Coffee 35-45 DKK (€4,7-6), beer 45-60 DKK (€6-8).Torvehallerne market with Nordic products €5-20. |
| Weather and best time | Amsterdam averages: January 6/1 °C, July 22/13 °C.Rain 8-12 days/month.Long days in June (16-17 hours of daylight).Recommended months: May-September.Windy in winter; a coat and rain jacket are useful.April brings tulips at Keukenhof (35 km; 40 min by bus) with highs of 12-15 °C.Humidity 75-85%.✓ Better | Copenhagen is cooler: January 3/-1 °C, July 21/13 °C.Wind 15-25 km/h; rain 7-10 days/month.Best months: June-August, good compromise: May and September.In winter sunrise ~08:30, sunset ~15:45; in summer daylight until 22:00.Bring layers and a windbreaker.Swimming at Amager at 18-20 °C in August. |
| Transport and how to get there | From Schiphol to Centraal train 15-18 min, €6-7. Bus 397 to Leidseplein 35-40 min, €6,50.Taxi airport–center €45-55 (25-35 min).In the city: GVB 1h €3,40, day €9.I amsterdam City Card 24h €60 includes museums+transport (no train).Bike rental MacBike €14-15/24h.Trams every 5-10 min on main axes. | From CPH to Kongens Nytorv metro M2 13-15 min, 36 DKK (€4,8).Train to København H 13 min, same cost.Taxi airport–center 260-320 DKK (€35-43; 20-25 min).City Pass Small 24h 80 DKK.Bike sharing Donkey Republic €12-18/24h, Bycyklen electric 2,5 DKK/min (€0,34).Metro every 4-6 min; extensive S-tog network.✓ Better |
| Nightlife | Key areas: Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein with clubs open until 05:00.Craft beer bars in De Pijp.Club entry €10-20 (e.g., Paradiso), cocktails €10-14, beer €4,5-6.Red-light district De Wallen is crowded 22:00-01:00.Night transport N-bus every 15-30 min.✓ Better | Nightlife in Vesterbro (Kødbyen), Nørrebro and Nyhavn.Clubs close at 05:00.Entry 80-150 DKK (€11-20), beer 45-60 DKK (€6-8), cocktails €12-16 (85-120 DKK).Jazz at La Fontaine (until 03:00).Night metro Friday/Saturday every 15 min.Weather: bring a jacket for the wind. |
| For families with children | NEMO Science Museum €17,50 (2-3 hours), Artis Zoo €25-28 (3-4 hours), Vondelpark with playgrounds.Distances: Centraal–NEMO 1 km (15 min on foot).Strollers OK on trams (middle door).Family-friendly cruises 60 min.Restaurants with high chairs in Jordaan.Tip: go 10:00-13:00 for museums with rested kids. | Tivoli (2-4 hours) has rides for ages 3+; Experimentarium 225 DKK (€30, 3 hours) in Hellerup; Den Blå Planet 204 DKK (€27, 2 hours).Zoo 239 DKK (€32).Metro with elevators; strollers allowed.Distances: Tivoli is 500 m from København H.Beaches at Amager with baby areas.Eat at Torvehallerne with high tables.✓ Better |
| Beaches and nature | Zandvoort aan Zee 25 km away: train 30 min from Centraal €6-7; wide beach.Bloemendaal 27 km (35 min).In the city: Vondelpark 47 ha and Amsterdamse Bos 1000 ha (6 km from the center; bus 20 min).Canal cruises for green urban scenery. | Amager Strandpark 5 km away: metro 10-12 min (Amager Strand), calm sea.Bellevue Strand (10 km): S-tog 20 min (Klampenborg).Dyrehaven park with deer 11 km away (30 min).Harbor baths at Islands Brygge (summer; free).Bike paths toward Refshaleøen for urban nature.✓ Better |
| Shopping | Areas: De Negen Straatjes (boutiques), Kalverstraat (chains), P.C.Hooftstraat (luxury).Markets: Albert Cuypmarkt and Waterlooplein.Souvenirs: cheeses (€12-20/kg), clogs €20-40, vintage €10-30. Hours 10:00-18:00, Sunday 12:00-17:00.Tax-free over €50 for non-EU. | Shopping on Strøget (1.1 km), design at Illums Bolighus and Hay House.Torvehallerne for gourmet food.Designer lamps from 900 DKK (€120), ceramics 300-600 DKK (€40-80).Hours 10:00-19:00, Saturday until 18:00.Lego Store Nyhavn/Amagertorv for families. |
| Safety and practical tips | Amsterdam is safe; watch out for pickpockets in De Wallen and crowded trams.Don’t walk on bike lanes; fines €55 for violations.Official taxis have blue plates; use Uber app.Emergencies 112.Tap water is drinkable.Travel insurance recommended, especially for bike rentals (theft is common). | Copenhagen is very safe; avoid intrusive photos in Christiania.Few scams, but use authorized taxis.Emergencies 112.Contactless payments are widespread; few accept cash.Bike lanes have priority; fine 700 DKK (€94) for violations.Drinkable water everywhere.Winter: non-slip shoes recommended.✓ Better |
| How many days do you need | Minimum 2 days: day 1 Rijksmuseum + canals (1h), day 2 Van Gogh + Jordaan.Ideal 3-4 days including Anne Frank, De Pijp and a trip to Zandvoort (30 min).Average pace 10-12 km on foot/day; GVB transport to optimize. | Minimum 2 days: day 1 Nyhavn, Strøget, Rundetårn; day 2 Tivoli and Rosenborg.Ideal 3-4 days adding Amager Strand, Torvehallerne and Den Blå Planet.Walks 9-11 km/day; metro for quick 10-15 min moves. |
| How to combine the two cities | From Amsterdam to Copenhagen flight 1h20 (KLM/SAS) from €60-140 round-trip when booking 4-8 weeks ahead.Train via Hamburg 10-11 hours from €60-120 (30+ days in advance).FlixBus 12-13 hours €35-60. Tip: depart Schiphol at 09:00 and arrive at CPH at 10:20. | Reverse Copenhagen→Amsterdam: flight 1h25 €60-140. Train via Hamburg 10-11 hours with IC/EC.Night bus 12-13 hours.City–airport transfers: CPH–center 13 min, Schiphol–Centraal 15-18 min.Recommended period: May-September to make the most of daylight and parks.✓ Better |
The Verdict
Choose Amsterdam
Choose Amsterdam if you love museums, canals and creative neighborhoods.Recommended time: May-June or September for 18-22 °C and shorter lines.Average budget: €180-240 per day (3-4* hotel, meals €35-50, GVB €9).3-day itinerary: Day 1 Rijksmuseum (2,5 h), Van Gogh (2 h) and 60 min cruise; Day 2 Anne Frank (1,5 h), Jordaan and Foodhallen; Day 3 trip to Zandvoort (30 min by train) or Amsterdamse Bos.Evening around Leidseplein and De Pijp.
Choose Copenhagen
Choose Copenhagen if you’re after Tivoli, design and urban seaside.Ideal period: June-August for 20-22 °C and swimming at Amager Strandpark.Average budget: €200-280 per day (3-4* hotel, meals €40-60, City Pass €10,7).3-day itinerary: Day 1 Nyhavn, Strøget, Rundetårn; Day 2 Tivoli (half-day) and Rosenborg; Day 3 Den Blå Planet (2 h) and Amager Strand.Evenings in Kødbyen or Nørrebro for craft beers.