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

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. 
 

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.

 

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.

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.

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. 

 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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 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.

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.  

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (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.