This list of 10 Must-Do Activities for Families in Copenhagen details some of my favorite CPH experiences. After almost a decade of living in the area, these are the things that define the city for us. The things we would go back to again and again.
Well. I’ve been avoiding writing this one because it feels too final. I guess it’s a big bag of emotions I’m not ready to face and so I just haven’t.
Our family recently moved after a total of nine years living in the Copenhagen area of Denmark. Living abroad is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever personally done, but also one of the most instructional and rewarding. I’m grateful for every day I got to spend living in that country, even the hard ones.
As we process living back in the States and try to adjust to new lives, I’ve been challenged to write this “Best of Copenhagen” post – the one that sums up my very favorite things to do while it’s all still fresh. So, here is my list of the things that feel the most especially Copenhagen. The ones I would be happy to repeat the next time I find myself in that lovely little city.
*These favorites refer specifically to the Copenhagen area. A broader list of Denmark favorites is coming soon.*
1. Swimming in the ocean/harbor
There’s honestly nothing that feels more “life in Scandinavia” than freezing cold water. It’s harsh, but it’s magic. If you really want to connect with this lifestyle, you have to do it. I don’t care if you don’t like cold water, jump.
Famously, Copenhagen’s water is clean enough to allow for swimming right in the city harbor. There are unique, wonderful places that draw so much fun community when the weather is nice, although you’ll see people swimming year round.
We love Badezone Sandkaj in the Nordhavn area. Always bustling in the summer and surrounded by quality bakeries (Anderson & Maillard) and ice cream (Isoteket), these harbor baths are situated on the edge of Goteborg Plads, a fun area for kids to scamper around. The baths feature both higher and lower places to spring into the water.
You’ll find an equally lovely swimming area in Islands Brygge. With shallow pools for kids and more of those famous jumping pyramids, it sits on a lovely spot in the harbor. Incredible city-meets-water views make for some true Copenhagen vibes.
Finally, we adore Kastrup Søbad, or the snail as my kids like to call it. From this park you can enjoy beach access, or plunge in from the baths themselves. The park sitting just behind makes for a great grilling and/or picnicking area.
There are so many other options that are worth looking into, including ocean access points at the numerous neighborhood beaches. All you have to do is keep your eyes open. For more information on swimming access, check out the city’s website.
2. Ride bikes everywhere
There are so many scenic routes to choose from in this bike obsessed culture. Now that I’m living back in the U.S. and experiencing how difficult it can be to walk or bike places, I’m even more impressed with Denmark’s commitment to biking infrastructure.
Take advantage of it. Bikes are an accepted and welcome part of life, and there’s honestly no better way to take in large parts of the city.
Narrowing down my favorite routes is hard, but I’d start with Nørrebroruten, which runs through the heart of the city and offers numerous jump off points for unique playgrounds and weird features.
Havneringen (The Harbor Circle) is also incredible. Crossing multiple of the city’s most famous biking bridges over the harbor, it’s a must do and also offers so many places to stop and explore.
Riding Søerne (The Lakes) is also an iconic CPH experience. Bridging Østerbro, Nørrebro, and Frederiksberg, you’ll see three of the city’s most famous neighborhoods.
Amager Nature Park is my final recommendation. Riding out into what feels like the ocean provides great views and no stoplights to worry about. It can get windy out there, but it’s just a special place.
Check out more incredible biking routes here and read up on traffic rules here. You will be expected to know and follow the biking rules – they aren’t difficult, but part of what makes biking doable in this city is that people follow them!
3. Indulge in bakery culture
Let me tell you, NO ONE makes better bread and baked goods than these folks. Bakeries are a treasured part of the Danish food culture and you’ll be a much happier person for experiencing as many as you can.
Pro tip: Don’t call them “danishes,” as that’s an Americanism that will make them roll their eyes. Each pastry has a very specific name, which you probably won’t be able to pronounce, so just point and describe in English.
Juno the Bakery is famous for a reason – the best cardamom bun I’ve ever had. All my friends agree.
Andersen & Maillard – fantastic chocolate croissants and seeded buns, great coffee.
Hart Bageri – try the tebirke or the spandauer.
Andersen Bakery – picture a fusion between Danish classics and Japanese flavors. Fantastic during the winter if you want to try the traditional fastelavns boller.
You’ll also spot so many that are local to neighborhoods or streets that are worth a try. Pair with a cappuccino and enjoy.
4. Go troll hunting in Copenhagen’s forests
Copenhagen is home of the original Six Forgotten Giants, which sit in different neighborhoods both in and just outside of the city. Some of our kids favorite adventures in the city where hunting trolls, especially when they were younger.
For a full list of our favorite Copenhagen area trolls, check out this post detailing each troll.
5. Linger in Copenhagen’s intentional green spaces
Copenhagen is the most intentionally green city I’ve ever been to, and the benefits of that are just now beginning to really dawn on me. This city is so committed to their green spaces, and put so much effort into keeping them clean and making them interesting. Be sure to check out and spend ample time just wandering Copenhagen’s green spaces.
Maybe my favorite in the city, Ørestadsparken is a perfect place to wander during flower season, or any time you want a little respite from the city. Juxtaposed with the urban Israelsplads and the eating and coffee options at the Torvehallerne market, it’s a perfect little slice of CPH all tucked into a few blocks worth of space.
Valbyparken offers a variety of experiences in a massive park space. Go swimming, play at the nature playground, visit the numerous public gardens, or take up a ball game in the open fields.
Langelinieparken offers moat walks and views of some of the city’s coolest historical landmarks. Especially good in early spring with the daffodils and cherry blossoms are blooming.
Øregårdsparken is another hidden gem that I love. It’s a small park, but with the loveliest scenery, especially in June when the giant rhododendron bushes are in bloom.
Amager Strandpark is a beach park that is perfect on warm summer days. Easy swimming, generous spaces, sea baths.
This article identifies our favorite Copenhagen playgrounds, several of which are tucked into some of the city’s best green spaces. Everyone in the family will be happy.
6. Experience the vibe at Reffen
The tops of the Danish street food market culture, Reffen is a great afternoon for anyone visiting the city. Even after numerous visits, the location and vibe continues to impress my family and anyone who goes with us. On site skate park for the kids, beer and good to your hearts content, folding chairs with front views of the city, people jumping in to the harbor for a quick swim, bungee jumping in site. It’s just cool.
If you’re visiting in the winter, you can still visit and enjoy the ice skating rink. So fun.
7. Discover hygge in the museum+café culture
Owing to the amount of not-so-nice weather that the city receives each year, museums, libraries and the likes can become a great place to escape grey, cold, dreary days.
Where the Danes knock it out of the park is that each of these places will combine an onsite café with all the necessaries, making the library or museum so much cozier and a perfect place to spend time. A true expression of hygge that the rest of the world comes looking for.
Favorite Libraries
Check out the main Københavns Hovedbibliotek (Copenhagen’s Main Library) on Krystalsgade or the Nørrebro Bibiotek. We also love the Gentofte Hovedbibliotek in Hellerup, which sits right beside one of the parks mentioned above.
Favorite Museums
For museums, try The National Museum of Denmark. Children under 18 are free (already a win) and while there is a dedicated children’s space that’s worth a bit of time, it’s a special feature found throughout the rest of the museum that’s the real star for me.
The historical material found in the National Museum can be a bit dry for children, so some genius decided to install something called a Bored Button in several locations throughout the museum. The children love to hunt for these and see what happens when they push them. Some put on light shows, some tell stories and some reveal hidden secrets. Trying to find each one (locations are printed on a map) will allow you to see most of the museum, while keeping the kids entertained.
Frilandsmuseet/The Open Air Museum is a fun day exploring homes from throughout Denmark’s history. Farm animals abound, kids are welcome to pet bunnies, pump old wells, explore homes from bygone eras, and pretend to be shopkeepers in the charming Frosnapper Byen, a miniature version of a small Danish town from days gone by. There are several engaging and original playgrounds within the museum, as well as an old circus tent, where the kids can put on quite a performance with unicycles and the likes.
There is almost always a special event going on at Frilandsmuseet, but I highly recommend visiting around Halloween, Christmas or Easter holidays. The special performances and events are really fun and the seasonal decorations add an extra layer of charm.
8. Celebrate New Years in CPH
There’s honestly no better holiday in this city than New Years. Fireworks go off literally EVERYWHERE – in the middle of the street, from parks, squares, neighborhoods. Any place with an opening to the sky. It’s completely nuts and fun and special.
Buy some fireworks of your own (for sale all over the city), get some protective eye wear (the Danes are serious about eye protection), let the kids stay up until midnight (you have to) and find a high up place to watch it all go down at midnight.
9. Take the family to Tivoli
Tivoli is the loveliest, coziest little theme park you’ll ever visit. Tucked into the very heart of the city, it’s small, easy to do in a day and contains the most beautiful gardens, full of a wide variety of blooms. In early spring you’ll see large swaths of daffodils, but the real star of the show are the masses of tulips that bloom in April.
If you just want to visit the gardens, the entry fee is fairly affordable and will allow you to see gardens, performances happening in the park and visit any of the onsite restaurants. Ride passes begin to make the visit pricey, but it’s really the only way to go if you’re with kids. It’s an expense, but it’s so near and dear to the hearts of the Danes that no time in CPH is complete without it.
10. Spend a weekend in a sommerhus
There are so many great places to spend a weekend within a hour of the city center in a classic Danish sommerhus (summer house). Using public transport, you can make your way to some seriously beautiful coastline and do one of the most Danish things there is – vacation.
Use VRBO to look into weekend rentals, post up with some good food, books, movies, etc. Walk to the beach for a swim each day, ride bikes around the ridiculously adorable coastal towns, go for walks, rest. It’s the good life.
For a list of our favorite coastal towns in the Danish Riviera, about an hour north of Copenhagen, head over to this post.
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