Summer is a wonderful time to experience Copenhagen. There is almost constant light and the locals spend most of their time outside, enjoying the many activities the city has to offer and the beauty of nature everywhere. You too can do most of these activities on a budget while getting a taste of true Danish culture!
Read on to find out more about our top 10 summer hangouts in and around Copenhagen:
1. Taking a dip in the harbor at Islands Brygge
The quintessential summer activity in Copenhagen is harbor swimming and there isn’t a better place to take a dip than the harbor baths at Islands Brygge. The pools, lawn, and decks are popular, but you can always bring some food and drinks and find a spot to kick back and relax in the sun.
2. Climb to the top of Church of our Savior
This church in Christianshavn looks like a chocolate cake, and the climb to the top of the bell tower is definitely worth it. It’s a great place to snap pictures of the expanse of the city and to see just how large Copenhagen is.
3. Stroll in the gardens of Frederiksborg Castle
Located in a suburb of Copenhagen, the Frederiksborg Castle and gardens are lovely for an afternoon visit outside the city. The castle architecture and museum are fantastic, but walking around the grounds and taking a boat out on the lake your visit extra special.
4. Check out the street art of Christiania
Freetown Christiania happens to be drenched in vibrant graffiti, sculptures, and other street art. It’s worth the trip just to explore these non-commissioned works. Bonus: it’s free!
5. Searching for the Six Forgotten Giants
Take a day and set out to find the Six Forgotten Giants in the suburbs and woods of Copenhagen. They are massive giants made out of scrap wood that were created by Danish artist and designer, Thomas Dambo, with the help of local volunteers. Each giant has a name and a unique personality and pose.
6. Take a trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
It’s always nice to take a weekend trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art at Humlebæk. The journey is about 45 minutes by train from Copenhagen. The museum has a gorgeous display of art collections and the building itself has a gorgeous interior. Outside the museum, you can take in the sculptures are scattered around the garden and a beautiful view looking towards the shores of Øresund.
7. Grab brunch at Café Paludan
This little brunch and coffee spot is close to DIS and serves decadent dishes without breaking your wallet! It has delicious Saturday morning food and the atmosphere feels like you are eating in a library.
8. Stroll around the harbor neighborhoods
Copenhagen has a ton of hidden gems and allowing yourself to walk aimlessly will introduce you to countless new parts of the city. Walking by the water, especially in Nyhavn, will allow you to experience picturesque streets and gorgeous music. From street musicians to local bands, this area is always popping on summer nights. You can also head over to Christianshavn to take in the sun on the beautiful harbors or bike to Refshaleøen for the street food market at Reffen or stop to take a dip in the harbor.
9. Have a picnic in one of the many parks throughout Copenhagen
On any pretty night of the summer, most Copenhageners will be sitting in a park sharing food and drinks. Groceries in Copenhagen are wonderfully fresh and extremely inexpensive. Grab a few friends, or even a good book, pack a lunch, and spend a few hours sitting in one of the many gorgeous parks. Some favorites are Frederiksberg Have, Fælledparken, and Kongens Have, which is only 10 minutes from DIS and a great place to enjoy a picnic under the shadow of a gorgeous castle.
10. Spend a day at Amager Strand beach
Amager Strand is just a few metro stops from the center of Copenhagen and gives you the chance to experience the beach without having to travel too far. It’s a great place to lay out, swim in the Baltic, read a book, enjoy a packed lunch, or even just hang out and talk with friends. The man-made beach has a view of the Øresundsbroen bridge that connects Denmark and Sweden and some gorgeous windmills too. There are free concerts, sports courts, and parties happening here year-round, and it’s a great place to interact with Danish families.
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