TDF

Tour de France is not over - ride your own Grand Départ in Copenhagen

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Experience Tour de France in Copenhagen and follow the trail of the Danish champion Jonas Vingegaard. This year, Copenhagen hosted Tour de France's Grand Départ, and there is plenty to experience along the route in the most bicycle-friendly capital in the world.

Ride Copenhagen's Tour de France route

Copenhagen is known as the world’s most bicycle-friendly capital. With bicycle infrastructure including over 500 km of curb-separated bicycle lanes, car-free bike bridges, and bicycle rental available at most hotels in the city or through the city’s bike-sharing service, it’s easy to ride your own Tour de France Grand Départ in Copenhagen at a safe, leisure pace. The Copenhagen Grand Départ route is 13 km, with several stop opportunities underway. Find the map and the GPX file from the route at this link, and read more about what to experience along the route below. 

Experiences along the Tour de France route in Copenhagen

Botanisk Have
Daniel Rasmussen

The Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is Denmark’s largest collection of living plants, a few steps from the Tour De France route in Copenhagen. It’s a free public green space to roam and relax filled with rare trees, shrubs, and herbs. 
 

Martin Heiberg
Martin Heiberg

Kastellet

Kastellet – The Citadel of Copenhagen – It’s possible to walk on the top of the star-shaped military fortress of Copenhagen, a green area facing the most exciting part of the Copenhagen route: from The Little Mermaid stretch along the sea to the Gefion Fountain’s climb and descent.

 

Christian Alsing
Christian Alsing

The Gefion’s Fountain

The Gefion’s Fountain is at the end of the climb of the Copenhagen Tour De France stage, right by Kastellet. The Statue features a group of animals being driven by the legendary Norse goddess, Gefion. It is the largest monument in Copenhagen and is used as a wishing well. This is the only descent that riders had to face during Tour De France in the Danish capital. Please note that you will have to pull your bicycle, as it is not allowed to bike here.

Thomas Høyrup Christensen
Thomas Høyrup Christensen

The Royal Palace Amalienborg

The Royal Palace Amalienborg is an exciting stretch of the tour the France, which saw riders crossing the Queen’s residence on wet cobblestones. Don't miss the palace square where you can watch the unforgettable changing of the guards, taking place every day at 12:00.

Jarvis Lawson
Jarvis Lawson

The Marble Church 

Right after the sharp turn on cobbles, riders were met with the majestic view of The Marble Church, Copenhagen’s church inspired by St. Peter’s Church in Rome. It is possible to visit the church as well as to walk to the top of the dome. 

 

Rasmus Hjortshøj
Rasmus Hjortshøj

Designmuseum Denmark

Designmuseum Denmark is located on the parallel street of the Marble Church after the sharp turn on cobbles. The museum recently opened after two years of renovation and is a must for design enthusiasts visiting Copenhagen. Designmuseum Danmark offers displays of decorative art, crafts, and industrial designs from the Western world and Asia from the late Middle Ages and up to the present. 

Daniel Rasmussen
Daniel Rasmussen

Kayak Republic

Experience Kayak Republic for summer vibes, and try seafood and drinks at Kayak Bar, located by Copenhagen’s canals along the route. Here you can also rent kayaks or lend a Green Kayak for free. All you need to do in exchange is to help keep the oceans clean by collecting plastic and weighing it afterwards. 

Nicolai Perjesi
Nicolai Perjesi

The Black Diamond

The Black Diamond in Copenhagen is one of the harbourfront’s key modern architecture attractions, and is an extension to the Royal Library, with a bookshop, restaurant, café, and concert hall inside it. The Tour de France riders came sprinting right underneath its tunnel, which you can walk on top of when visiting the library. The views from the top of the Black Diamonds are stunning – you will see the harbor’s clean water through the glass façade leaning towards the sea, making for a perfect picture. 

Daniel Rasmussen
Daniel Rasmussen

Danish Architecture Center

The Tour De France Copenhagen route will take you by the Danish Architecture Center, which will take part in the UNESCO 2023 Copenhagen World Capital of Architecture program next year. The Danish Architecture Center is a must-visit for architecture-interested visitors, the museum offers also a beautiful view over Copenhagen’s bicycle bridges and the city’s canals from its café. 

Glyptoteket
Glyptoteket PR

Glyptoteket

Turning 125 years this year, Glyptoteket is a classic for art lovers. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek displays ancient and modern art in truly unique surroundings. Founded in 1888 by brewer Carl Jacobsen, the gallery faces the final sprint of the Tour De France Grand Depart, and it’s a perfect place to relax after your ride with its renewed winter garden.

Where to eat and drink along Copenhagen's Tour de France route

Copenhagen has been home to the world’s best restaurants for two years in a row. Find a list of food experiences along the Tour de France Grand Départ route below. 

Giuseppe Liverino
Giuseppe Liverino

La Glace

Copenhagen's oldest patisserie La Glace offers the Danish Tour de France-winner Jonas Vingegaard’s favorite cake on their menu. Jonas Vingegaard’s mother-in-law Rosa Kildahl is an avid baker and former participant in the Great Danish Bake Off, Den Store Bagedyst. She has revealed that Jonas Vingegaard only likes to eat her special carrot cake, and now it’s possible for everyone to taste it. For a limited time, La Glace offers Rosa’s carrot cake. For the rest of the year, the patisserie also sells Tour de France-coloured macarons as a tribute to Tour de France. Begin or wrap up your tour with a Tour de France treat from the patisserie La Glace, located close to both the start- and finish line.

Claes Bech Poulsen
Claes Bech Poulsen

Restaurant Geranium

Once reaching Telia Parken, the National Stadium of Denmark, the riders passed Geranium, which is the world's best restaurant according to the prestigious ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list. Restaurant Geranium was awarded first place in 2022 and holds 3 Michelin stars.

Christoffer Rosenfeldt
Christoffer Rosenfeldt

Restaurant ARK

Restaurant ARK, a green Michelin star since 2021, offers a fine-dining fully vegan experience located on the route, before the most biked intersection in the world at Dronning Louises Bro (Queen Louise’s Bridge). 95% of the food served here has not been bought but foraged or grown at Funga Farm, the restaurant’s own urban farm producing mushrooms for some of the best restaurants in Copenhagen. 

Seaside Toldboden PR
Seaside Toldboden PR

Seaside Toldboden

Experience down-to-earth street food through seven different cuisines at Seaside Toldboden – located right next to the Grand Départ’s climb to Gefion’s Fountain. Seaside Toldboden offers a culinary trip around the world led by seven cooks who have Michelin experience.

The Pescatarian
The Pescatarian PR

The Pescatarian

Right after Gefion’s Fountain descent, you will find The Pescatarian, known for its seafood-focused menu as well as for its vegetarian options. The Pescatarian is located in the beautiful and historic neighborhood around Amalienborg, and the Citadel. 

Jonas Buhr
Jonas Buhr

Restaurant Møntergade

Not far from the square of Kongens Nytorv and before passing the canals of Copenhagen, you may stop at Restaurant Møntergade to try a classical Danish specialty, smørrebrød. The restaurant is close to the route and awarded 5 out of 6 stars by local Danish media for its gourmet version of a lunch classic that balances modern and traditional recipes.

Restaurant Esmée
Restaurant Esmée

Esmée

Experience top-quality French-inspired food at Restaurant Esmée in the heart of Copenhagen, located at Kongens Nytorv and only a few steps away from the Tour de France route. 

Sanders PR
Sanders PR

Tata Cocktail Bar

Sanders Tata cocktail bar is located after passing Kongens Nytorv and when you are heading for the canals. At Sanders Tata cocktail bar, you may have a drink by Harry Bell, the world's best bartender according to World’s 50 Best.

Alona Vibe
Alona Vibe

Coffee Collective, Mikkeller, and Vin Supernatural

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.  

Giuseppe Liverino
Giuseppe Liverino

Bakeries nearby the route - Umiddelbar and Hart Holmen

In the final part of the Copenhagen stage, don't forget the local bakeries. With Umiddelbar and Hart Holmenopening along the tour route, gdessert rab a on the go.

Where to stay along Copenhagen’s Tour de France route

Good accommodation is an important part of your holiday in Copenhagen. Fortunately, there are several fantastic hotels along the Grand Départ route, which are listed below.

Hotel Kong Arthur PR
Hotel Kong Arthur PR

Hotel Kong Arthur

Hotel Kong Arthur (4 stars) is located by the beautiful Peblinge Lake in the center of Copenhagen and by the beginning of the Grand Départ. This boutique hotel is all about details in decór, atmosphere, and service where also fair-trade and ecology are in focus.

Daniel Rasmussen
Daniel Rasmussen

Manon Les Suites

Right behind the lakes, Manon Les Suites (5 stars) lies nestled amongst several main attractions right on pulsating HC Andersens Boulevard. With hanging plants, lamps, Balinese penjor poles, and palms wherever you look, it’s like being transported to a more southern clime, right in the heart of Copenhagen and the beginning of the Tour de France route.

Lisbeth Michelsen
Lisbeth Michelsen

Babette Guldsmeden

Not very far from Gefion Fountain lies Babette Guldsmeden (4 stars), which is characterized by a relaxed atmosphere. The hotel is located in the nest of some of the main attractions along the Grand Départ route, such as The Amalienborg Palace, the Marble Church, Kastellet, and Designmusem Denmark.

Hotel d’Angleterre PR
Hotel d’Angleterre PR

Hotel D’Angleterre

Once you reach Kongens Nytorv along the route, you will be met by a view of Copenhagen's historic landmark Hotel d’Angleterre (5 stars). d'Angleterre is celebrated for its elegance, luxury, and style. Balancing legacy and style with intuitive and tailored services, the d’Angleterre will complement the desires of today’s refined travelers.

NH Collection PR
NH Collection PR

NH Collection Copenhagen

When passing the canals and harbor of Copenhagen, the bikers find the NH Collection Copenhagen (5 stars) across the bridge to the neighborhood of Christianshavn. The NH Collection Hotel brings premium facilities and inspiring design.

Nobis PR
Nobis PR

Nobis Hotel

Located close to the finish line of the Grand Départ, Nobis Hotel (5 stars) is an elegant and modern hotel with charm, quality and good service. Beautifully executed with respect for the original building without compromising on comfort and quality. 

Hotel Alexandra PR
Hotel Alexandra PR

Hotel Alexandra

Hotel Alexandra (4 stars) is located at the corner of City Hall Square just before the last stretch of Copenhagen's Tour de France route. Hotel Alexandra cares about their interior which is reflected in its large and unique collection of Danish mid-century vintage furniture. 

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Giuseppe Liverino

Senior Manager – Press & PR

glv@woco.dk