COPENHAGEN’S BEST BEACHES & SWIMMING SPOTS

Copenhagen is one of the few cities in the world which can boast to have harbors clean enough to swim in, thanks to both water quality and a beautiful accessible waterfront. When in Copenhagen (and Denmark) you are never far from the sea and there are several beaches, recreational areas and wooden piers to choose from for swimming all year round.

Copenhagen offers clean beaches, harbor baths and bathing zones free of use. The largest beaches are Svanemøllen beach in the northern part of town, and Amager beach in the south. While Amager beach park offers 4 kilometers of white sand beach, Islands Brygge harbor bath has five sea basins centrally located in the harbor. Harbor baths are also located next to Fisketorvet shopping mall and at Sluseholmen.

It is possible to go for a swim throughout the whole harbor, find your favorite spot and take a dip close to one of the many orange ladders. Be careful with boat traffic and occasional stinging jellyfish, most common in late summer. Never swim across the harbor to the other side of the canal, stay close to the waterfront.

A guide to the best beaches
and swimming spots in Copenhagen

CENTRAL SWIMMING SPOTS

Ofelia Plads – Urban space on the water next to Nyhavn
Streetfood, bar and sun chairs on a huge open space built on the water. Take a swim and hang out at Ofelia plads, with views over the Royal Quarters and the Opera.

Kalvebod Brygge – Enjoy the morning sun on
the wave-shaped wooden pier
Located only 1km from the central station, Kalvebod Brygge is one of the most central swimming spots in Copenhagen. The wooden promenade stretches along the waterfront and offers kayak and SUP rent, a small bar and an outdoor gym.

Krøyers Plads – Swimming spot with views
over the harbor and Nyhavn
This large wooden jetty is an excellent spot for swimming in central Copenhagen. Located on the Christianshavn side of the canal opposite to Nyhavn, next to streetfood market Broens Gadekøkken.

SAND BEACHES

Amager Strandpark – Long stretched sand beach
along the coastline
White sand beach and lagoon easily accessible by metro. Amager Beach has amenities such as toilet, lifeguard, kiosk and kayak- and SUP rentals.

Havnevigen Beach – Hidden beach in
new neighborhood Havnestaden
Water park located in a newly established bay next to Amager fælled. Sunbathe and take a swim surrounded by exclusive newly constructed buildings.

Christiania beach – Bohemian nudist beach
This small strip of sand in the lush nature part of Christiania is an excellent spot for swimming or just hanging out at the beach. Swimwear is optional.

HIDDEN GEMS

Sluseholmen – Swim in cosy canals surrounded by
award-winning architecture
Newly constructed canal district of Sluseholmen offers wooden jetties along the canals and Sluseholmen Harbor Bath which is open throughout the summer.

Dragør Søbad – Seaside bath outside the city
If you are looking for a destination outside of Copenhagen, Dragør is a cosy day trip 15km outside the city center. Dragør sea bathing facility has a beautiful location, overlooking the Øresund Bridge and Malmö on the other side of Øresund. The small town of Dragør is worth a visit itself, for its old yellow buildings and cobblestone streets.

For winter bathing and a guide to the best saunas in Copenhagen, see my guide here.

OFELIA PLADS

Where:
Kvæsthusbroen, at the bottom of Sankt Annæ Plads

Ofelia Plads is Copenhagen’s most central spot for a dip in the harbor, only 5 minutes by walking from Nyhavn. The public venue is built on water, consisting of a 275 meter long concrete pier starting at the Royal Theatre building. Here you find “the Kissing Stair” where you can sit on the beautiful wooden stairway, with steps disappearing under water level.

The bathing spot offers street food, concerts, art installations, an underground car park and plenty of space for hanging out – with views to the opera house and the royal quarters. Ofelia Plads has a permanent bar with sun chairs, serving drinks and coffee. Grab food from one of the food trucks or bring your own picnic and blanket.

See my favourite Copenhagen beaches and bathing spots here.

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Hvor:
Kvæsthusbroen, ved enden af Sankt Annæ Plads

Ofelia Plads er Københavns mest centrale badested, beliggende kun 5 minutter til fods fra Nyhavn. Pladsen er bygget på vandet, og består af en 275 meter lang mole i forlængelse af Skuespilhuset. I starten af betonmolen ligger Kyssetrappen, en smuk trætrappe til at sidde og nyde et øjeblik i solen, med trin som forsvinder ned under vandoverfladen.

På Ofelia Plads finder du gademad, koncerter, kunstinstallationer, en underjordisk parkeringsplads og masser af plads til at hænge ud -med udsigt til operahuset og det kongelige kvarter. Pladsen har en permanent bar med liggestole og servering af drinks og kaffe. Køb frokost fra en foodtruck, eller medbring din egen picnic og tæppe.

Se mine favoritter blandt Københavns strande og badesteder her.