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Pedestrian Safety in Copenhagen?

We're headed to Copenhagen in early August. We will be staying in a hotel near the Tivoli Gardens but would like to do the RS CITY WALK from Radhuspladsen to Kongens Nytorv.. Beyond the usual cautions, pickpockets,etc, are the any concerns for daytime strolling in this area? thanks.

Posted by
6387 posts

Just to be clear, are you asking if it's safe to walk from Rådhuspladsen to Kongens Nytorv during daytime? If so, what are you worried about?

Posted by
346 posts

Badger, additional walk from Tivoli to the Radhuspladsen. I don't know the area so I wanted to know if it was safe-proper walkways not in the road, not through gang territories, safety for women. the usual. Lots of places around the world that look good on maps or satellite images but where one really shouldn't be. thanks.

Posted by
2427 posts

My husband and I walked all over Copenhagen when we were there in August 2019 including the areas you reference. There was never a safety issue or concern. Our biggest problem was dealing with the high heat that August.

Posted by
2330 posts

Isn't that funny. I went to Copenhagen for 8-days and it never occurred to me, either before, during, or after my visit that Copenhagen might have a gang culture.

Posted by
2375 posts

If I remember correctly, there are pedestrian lanes right next to bike lanes on many streets. Do not cross into the bike lane without looking.

Posted by
6318 posts

I am a solo female traveler and walked all over Copenhagen with no problems at all. Copenhagen is one city I would not be worried about.

Posted by
16271 posts

I haven’t been in Copenhagen since the 1990’s, but I recall comments at the time from Rick (either in his video or his guidebook) about the Vesterbro area being the “red light district”. The OP says they are staying near Tivoli so probably looking at walking along Vesterbrogade on their way to the Rådhuspladsen to pick up the walking tour. Maybe that is the source of their concern?

If so, I will just say that we stayed in that same area, at the Grand Hotel (now the Grand Joannes) right on Vesterbrogade, and happily walked from there past the train station and Tivoli several times a day, with no issues. We also continued west on Vesterbrogade to visit a street market, also with no issues (other than the bicycles I mentioned in my first post). But that was almost 30 years ago,.

Posted by
15007 posts

I stayed in the same area as Lola about four years ago. Yes, there were some sex clubs and homeless but no one bothered me or anyone I saw.

IMHO, Copenhagen is one of the safest cities to visit.

Posted by
3110 posts

I also walked all over by myself, in winter, and found it a very safe place.
Just look both ways twice before crossing a road, as bikes will take you out very easily.

Posted by
346 posts

Thanks to all. I am reassured. In general, I feel safer in European cities than ones in the US but it is good to check. We've done bike lanes and bike filled streets before, but thanks for the heads up. W survived multiple motorbike filled street crossings in Hanoi, so we probably can do Copenhagen, Thanks also for the heat warning.

Posted by
6387 posts

Thanks for the additional information, I have to admit that I was surprised that someone asked about safety in the central parts of a Nordic capital during the day, so I wondered if there were any special concerns.

But no, there is really nothing to worry about as long as you stay out of the bike lanes.

Posted by
2235 posts

someone asked about safety in the central parts of a Nordic capital

I guess the reputation of Stockholm and Copenhagen has suffered somewhat in recent years.
The German ministry for foreign affairs provides security notes for every country and Copenhagen got an extra note under crime (Kriminalität) due to the extra established visitation zones (link).

And I have to admit that I felt too safe in Stockholm 2016 and was robbed. Camera equipment for 4 kEUR was gone in less than a minute - no police was showing up at Vasa Museum after calling. I was left alone as a robbed tourist. Thanks to staff of the museum who tried to help. I could have known it because Sweden had two severe warnings from the ministry at that time.

So, for me I will never do the mistake again and do a journey - especially not into my beloved Nordics - without checking the security notes before travelling.

My piece of bitter learned cake.

Posted by
58 posts

Whenever I travel, I ask the hotel and local business people if I should watch out for any areas.
In September 2023, I am a solo traveler and found Copenhagen was safe to walk during the day or early evening.
Only the areas of Christiania and Nørrebro had warnings about drug gang violence among themselves at night usually.

Watch out for pickpockets around the train station.

Posted by
4573 posts

Haha. When I saw the title, my first thought was my recent trip in SEAsia and the scooter traffic. I figure Copenhagen couldn't be worse. Pedestrian safety in Hanoi....indeed.

Posted by
2427 posts

My husband and I walked all over Copenhagen in August 2019. Maybe we’re naive but we never felt unsafe. Our only issue was that it was hotter than Hades when we were there.

Posted by
610 posts

Spent one week in Copenhagen in September 2022. Used the Copenhagen Card for transportation as well as walked at least 10 miles or more every day. It is a city where I felt very comfortable and very safe just about everywhere - subway, train, boats, pedestrian ways, parks, around the lakes, etc. I do take the normal precautions but never felt nervous or uptight at all.

Posted by
1323 posts

I will add one warning: If you are crossing H.C.Andersens Boulevard (From Rådhuspladsen to Vesterbrogade) late evening (especially on Friday or Saturday evening) don't trust the traffic light 100% - always look out for that one idiot, who thinks this is the place to test how fast his car or MC can accelerate.