Offbeat Copenhagen Day Trips: 2 Days
Two days is enough for the two day trips most Copenhagen itineraries skip entirely: Malmo, a different country reachable in under 40 minutes, and the Louisiana Museum, a modern-art sleeper hit on the Oresund coast. No rental car, no rushed mornings, no in-city sightseeing eating into either day. For the full six-gateway version, see the 7-day itinerary instead.
Book these before you go:
- Book a Malmo day trip tour , useful if two countries’ ticketing apps in one afternoon sounds like too much admin
- Compare Copenhagen hotel rates , since both days start from the same station
| Day | Focus | Train time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malmo, Sweden | 35-40 min |
| 2 | Louisiana Museum, Humlebaek | ~40 min |
Day 1: Malmo, Sweden
The Oresundstag crosses the bridge and tunnel every 15-20 minutes, Copenhagen Central to Malmo Central in roughly 35-40 minutes, one-way fares from about 150 SEK (EUR 13-17). Malmo is Sweden: a different currency (Swedish kronor, not Danish kroner, despite the shared “kr” symbol), and random ID checks happen at the border even though both countries share Schengen. Skip the old town’s Stortorget square in favor of Vastra Hamnen, the Western Harbour, a former shipyard rebuilt around Santiago Calatrava’s twisted Turning Torso tower, the actual reason to make the trip. Half a day covers it properly. For the full Malmo rundown, including where to eat, see the Oresund Bridge guide .
Day 2: Louisiana Museum, Humlebaek
A coastal train from Copenhagen Central takes about 40 minutes to Humlebaek, running several times an hour, then a 10-15 minute walk to the museum. Entry runs 145 DKK adult, 130 DKK student, under-18 free. Louisiana is the sleeper hit of this whole region: a sprawling building and sculpture garden set right on the Oresund strait, with Sweden visible across the water, and the setting does as much work as the art inside it. Most two-day Copenhagen plans never mention it, which is the actual mistake, not a lack of time.
Do You Need a Rental Car for Either of These?
No. Both run on regular train tickets bought through the DOT/Rejsebillet app or a contactless card tap at the gate, and neither destination needs advance timed entry. The only planning decision worth making ahead is whether to book the Malmo tour above or navigate two countries’ transit apps solo.
Is Malmo Worth Crossing a Border For Just a Few Hours?
Yes, and a few hours is exactly the right amount of time. Malmo’s core sights, the Western Harbour waterfront and the Turning Torso, are compact enough to see properly in half a day; the round-trip train is under 40 minutes each way. Padding this into a full day away from Copenhagen isn’t necessary and eats into time better spent at Louisiana.
Keep both days loose rather than scheduled to the minute; the Oresundstag runs every 15-20 minutes if Malmo takes longer than planned, and the coastal line to Humlebaek runs just as often the other direction.