Coolcation in Copenhagen – a Nordic summer by the sea

As summer travel habits change, Copenhagen has become one of the world’s leading urban swimming destinations according to CNN. Clean, swimmable waters are part of daily life. Harbour baths, beaches, and canals are built into the city’s design, creating a summer experience that combines nature, culture, and city living.

Summer temperatures range from 20 to 25°C, comfortable for outdoor activities. Locals and visitors swim from the Øresund coast to central harbour baths. All locations have free public access and are easy to reach by bike or public transport.

Why Copenhagen draws summer visitors

• Swim in the city: Harbour baths and canals are clean, safe, and open to all – a rare feature for a European capital.
• Beaches nearby: Amager Strandpark and Bellevue offer wide sandy shores minutes from the city center.
• Culture on the coast: Waterfront museums, open-air concerts, and notable architecture line the shoreline.
• Dining with a view: Nordic cuisine is served at seaside restaurants and casual harbour spots.
• Stay by the sea: Options include beachside hotels with spas, design hostels, and urban resorts with direct water access.

Copenhagen’s blend of clean water, accessible nature, and active city life creates a setting where cooling off means swimming in the heart of the capital.

• Average summer temperatures in Copenhagen:
  June 19.2°C / 66.6°F 
  July 20.4°C / 68.7°F
  August 20.3°C / 68.5°F
• Sea temperatures: 17–22°C (63–72°F)
• Denmark has the highest coastline per capita in the world: 7,314 km total
• Every point in Denmark is less than 50 km from the coast
• Copenhagen’s canals and harbour are clean and swimmable
  • 14 official bathing zones, including 4 harbour baths and one 450 m long open water swimming area.
  • Approx. 3.6 km² – nearly twice the size of Central Park.
  • Declared clean and swimmable by EU standards since 1999. Real-time updates available at badevand.dk
  • Approx. 2 million users annually, including 23,000 swimmers.
• Copenhagen’s Coastal Line (Kystbanen): 46 km train and bicycle route from Copenhagen to Elsinore. It connects cities with beaches, forests, museums, spa hotels, and restaurants.
• Beach access: public and free to access, except areas within 50 meters of private residences, military zones, or embassies.
• CNN recognition: In 2019, CNN named Copenhagen “the best city in the world for swimming”.

Copenhagen's harbour is one of the cleanest in the world, making it possible to swim right in the city. These unique harbour baths provide a mix of urban energy and aquatic relaxation.

The coastal areas surrounding Copenhagen are home to a variety of beaches, each with its own unique character. At Amager Beach Park, there is plenty of space for activities such as beach and water sports, while Bellevue Beach to the north offers scenic surroundings combined with classic Danish design by architect Arne Jacobsen. Across all beaches, visitors can enjoy both relaxation and a refreshing dip on warm summer days.

Located just north of Copenhagen, Bellevue Beach is a classic Danish summer destination. With surroundings like Bellevue Strandbad, designed by renowned architect Arne Jacobsen, the beach offers a stylish, modernist setting. The large sandy beach also offers lots of space for both beach volleyball and water sports, and a few hundred meters inland is the nature park Dyrehaven. A short stroll from Bellevue Beach, you will find the petrol station in Skovshoved, also designed by Arne Jacobsen.

Press photos: Bellevue Beach. 

Charlottenlund Sea Bath is a bathing house, open to the public during the summer months. The sea bath includes a communal bathing zone, but is considered iconic among locals due to its gender-specific bathing areas, where it is common for visitors to sunbathe and swim without swimwear.  The requirement to purchase an admission ticket ensures that the sea bath remains a tranquil oasis.

A sophisticated beach experience close to the elegant Hellerup district, featuring stylish restaurants and a tranquil setting perfect for a relaxed summer day. The beach is part of Hellerup Beach, where you can also experience the calm of the perennial garden or the rose garden, or visit the lively environment at Hellerup Marina.

A hidden gem within the city, Svanemølle Beach is ideal for those looking to combine a city break with a quick seaside dip. With shallow waters and a wooden pier, as well as a sandy beach it’s a favorite among locals for sunbathing and leisurely swims. This area is also used for open water swimming by local athletes.

Press photos: Svanemølle Beach. 

Amager Beach Park is Copenhagen’s largest beach and is easily reachable by metro. The park offers a wide range of activities – from beach sports and water activities to cycling along the scenic waterfront promenade. A calm, sheltered lagoon makes it especially safe for children and ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, or taking long open-water swims.

Press photos: Amager Beach Park.

Known as "The Snail" due to its unique architectural design, this award-winning Kastrup Sea Bath offers panoramic views over the Øresund Strait and a tranquil atmosphere for a refreshing dip.

Press photos: Kastrup Sea Bath.

Just a short trip from Copenhagen, Mormorstranden & Dragør Søbad offer a peaceful seaside retreat with views over the Øresund Strait. The beach is within walking distance to Dragør, which is a charming old town where you can stroll through the cute cobblestoned streets of colorful houses and enjoy the local atmosphere at one of the restaurants or cafés.

Press photos: Dragør Søbad and Dragør.