100 days from today: The Tour de France Grand Depart in Copenhagen

Put on a helmet and jump on a bike, just like the locals do. Criss-cross the city on curb-separated bicycle lanes, car-free bike bridges, and broad cycle-superhighways and look at how Copenhagen became a top cycling destination (and why it should be on everyone’s travel list in 2022!).

Guests from near and far can expect a summer filled with fun and festivity in Copenhagen, as the prestigious Tour de France bike race kicks off in the city on 1 July 2022. The city, ranked the world’s most bike-friendly, is using the occasion to celebrate its unique cycling culture and to showcase how guests can explore the city’s showstopping sights, top attractions, and cool neighborhoods on two wheels. 

Things to do

Among the many things to see and do in Copenhagen this summer, some related to the actual sporting event, others part of the destination’s multitude of great experiences, are:

• On 2 July, bw. 9-12 am, the official 13km start-trail in Copenhagen is open for all to try by bike – so off you go on your own ‘Tour De Copenhagen’
• The FestiVélo in Fælledparken (Copenhagen’s largest park) greets guests for some fun-packed days on 1-2 July. Dressed in yellow, the free of charge bicycle festival takes its point of departure in the Tour de France Grand Depart and involves lots of music, entertainment and talks, an exhibition on ‘The Tour and The Bike-City’, exercise-related bike activities, street sport, food & beverage outlets, a huge screen broadcasting the Grand Depart, and much more.
• Fælledparken is also home to the Children’s Traffic Playground, where junior children can have fun whilst learning about road safety.
• The FestiVélo at Fælledparken finishes off with an AfterTour concert on the eve of 2 July.
• A Tour de France Fan-park is located on the historic central square Kongens Nytorv and is open on 29 June and 1 July.
• Fan spots with large outdoor screens are also available on 1-3 July at Søren Kierkegaards Plads, next to the iconic ‘Black Diamond’ Royal Library on the Copenhagen waterfront, and at Den Røde Plads, part of Superkilen in the trendy Nørrebro neighbourhood
• The shoreline at The Little Mermaid statue on Langelinie will be covered in yellow flowers during the Grand Depart, as will the flower beds along Copenhagen City Hall.
• Even the city’s rubbish bins will be covered with yellow foil and the wording ‘Merci’, signaling the city’s strong focus on sustainable solutions.
• The world-famous Tivoli Gardens is open as usual, additionally it plays host to the presentation of 22 Tour de France teams, 176 world-class riders on its lawn on 29 June 
• Tivoli Gardens is also planning on creating a 10m tall copy of the Eiffel Tower in front of the Nimb Hotel.   
• BLOX, home to businesses within architecture, design, and sustainable urban development and to the Danish Architecture Center, is hosting a national Bicycle Top Meeting on 31 June
• Copenhagen’s scenic bike bridges and harbour front are perfect for experiencing historic sites and local hoods on two wheels. Take a stop and go swimming, kayaking, or rowing in a GoBoat while you’re at it; the water is clean and the harbor basin is a favorite cultural and creative space for locals and travelers.

Bonus tip: visitcopenhagen.com offers guests to the city heaps of useful information on Biking in Copenhagen, including great tips on where to rent a bike, bike routes, and bike tours.

Places to eat

To add some great food experiences along the Tour de France route in Copenhagen, check out the below recommendations:

• Dine at two of the best restaurants in the world: Geranium and Noma. Iconic local restaurant Noma came in first place on the prestigious ‘50 Best Restaurants in the World’ list in 2021, while Geranium took second place. Both Copenhagen restaurants are also awarded 3 Michelin stars.
• Combine fine dining with down-to-earth street food and explore the Reffen, one of the largest street food markets in Europe. Alternatively, take a gastronomic journey through seven different cuisines at Seaside Toldboden – from where you will almost be able to touch the Tour De France athletes sprinting by - or opt for noma's popular burger at POPL. All of these restaurants are located on the Copenhagen waterfront, close to the Grand Départ route.
• Sustainability is also a core element in Copenhagen's gastronomic DNA. Restaurants such as Øens Have, Lola, and Bistro Lupa – all of which are located along the Grand Départ route - are famous for their focus on sustainability and social responsibility.
• Some Copenhagen food and drink brands - Mikkeller, Coffee Collective, and Vin Supernaturel - have their own cycling club where they combine beer, coffee, and wine with cycling and for travelers to combine these things in moderate quantities. 
• At the final part of the Copenhagen stage, don't forget the local bakeries. With Umiddelbar and Hart Brød + Bar opening along the tour route, grab a dessert on the go.

Get more on how to experience Copenhagen by bike before, during, and after the Tour de France Grand Depart, great shooting locations, and creative cycling initiatives right here

Get the official Tour de France Grand Depart media kit here and visit the official tour site here