When you think of the Danish capital, you probably think of a few things — namely colorful houses lining cobblestone streets that tall blondes plod along on their bikes while braving the perpetual wind and rain. But what about beaches in Copenhagen?
Denmark has acres of coastline, and you’re always close to the sea regardless of where you are. Its largest city is no exception; canals, lakes, and harbors are all important features that have helped to make it so prosperous as centuries have progressed.
And of course, you’ll see plenty of people jumping in the sea throughout the year.
For a short period in the middle of the year, the temperature heats up, and the days get (much) longer. As a paradox, many Copenhageners use these weeks of good weather to travel elsewhere — whether that’s in Denmark or abroad.
What happens if you plan to stick around instead, though? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to discover the best beaches in Copenhagen, and slightly beyond.
Does Denmark have good beaches?
If you think about beaches in Europe, your mind probably draws instantly to Greece and the Canary Islands. But believe it or not, Denmark more than holds its own in this respect.
Although the temperature doesn’t play fair for most of the year, Scandinavia’s southernmost country has some fantastic beaches to enjoy during the summer months. You’ll find many of these in the north of Jutland; Skagen is a popular destination for this reason.
You don’t need to venture that far to find a spot of sand to enjoy yourself on, though. You’ll find beaches close to Aarhus, as well as elsewhere on Jutland. Fyn, the island between Jutland and Sjælland, also has a couple of fantastic places to relax.
Sjælland is no exception to the rule either. In fact, the north of the island is often referred to as the Danish Riviera.
Considering that much of the year is a mixture of clouds, rain, and whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw, it’s unsurprising that Danes lap up every moment of sun they can get. During the summer, you can expect pretty much every beach to be packed to the rafters — especially on the evenings and weekends.
If you plan to take a dip in the sea, keep in mind that it will not be on the same level as the Bahamas. But on days when it’s scorching and humid, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
You should also keep in mind that you’ll be sharing your beaches with wildlife. Fortunately, Denmark doesn’t have any real dangerous animals; you’ll notice a lot of jellyfish in the sea, but these are harmless, and you shouldn’t worry about them.
Are there any beaches in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen isn’t blessed with Stockholm’s gracious archipelago or Oslo’s dramatic mountains. However, you’ll find plenty of nature experiences in and around the city — including numerous beaches.
You can expect to primarily find bathing areas and communal baths in the city itself. But in the case of Amager Strandpark (more on that soon), you don’t need to leave the city limits for a genuinely enjoyable experience.
You’ll also find several beaches in the suburbs of Copenhagen, especially when you head north of Østerbro.
How far is Copenhagen from the beach?
Copenhagen is on the eastern coast of Sjælland, so you don’t need to worry about traveling long distances to get to the beach. Amager Strandpark is easy to reach by both metro and bike and is 20-25 minutes from the city center.
If you want to visit one of the beaches around Copenhagen, the closest ones in the northern suburbs are a direct train from the city center. You can get there in roughly 30 minutes.
Copenhagen and its surrounding areas are also excellent for cycling, and you can bike to the northerly beaches in 40+ minutes — depending on the beach you choose. The terrain is relatively flat, and regardless of your skill level, you shouldn’t have too many problems on two wheels.
Okay, so we’ve covered a bit about beaches in both Denmark and Copenhagen. Now, we can move on to highlighting the best ones in and around the capital region; you’ll find 15 selections to choose from below.
Amager Strandpark
Amager Strandpark is a glorious stretch of land that is hugely popular with the locals. It’s roughly 7 kilometers from downtown Copenhagen; if you’re wondering why the city’s so empty during the summer, everyone’s probably here if they aren’t on holiday.
At Amager Strand, you’ll find a large area for sunbathing facing out into the Øresund. On a clear day, you can very clearly see Malmö’s iconic Turning Torso building in the distance.
If you’re not interested in lounging around, you can also enjoy windsurfing and several other activities. You’ll find ice cream vans and a couple of other places to grab food and drink if you’re feeling hungry.
To get here, you can grab your bike and cycle here from the city center in around 25 minutes. Alternatively, take the M2 train towards Copenhagen Airport and get off at Amager Strand.
You can learn more about Amager Strandpark here.
Ribersborg Strand, Malmö
If you fancy an international day trip, Malmö in Sweden has a beach of its own for you to enjoy. Ribersborg Strand is right next to the Turning Torso and has plenty of space for you to throw your towel down and soak up some vitamin C.
At Ribersborg Strand, you’ll find toilet facilities and a playground nearby. You can cycle directly from the city center; it’s around 10 minutes away by bike. If you didn’t bring your own, you can rent the city bikes or get one via Donkey Republic.
You can also walk from Malmö Central Station, though this will take you 35 minutes. To get from Copenhagen to Sweden’s third-biggest city, hop on the Øresundståg from the main train station. Your journey will take you across the incredible Øresund Bridge and should take between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on potential border checks.
Lear more about Malmö in Sweden here.
Bellevue Strand
One of the best beach trips near Copenhagen is Bellevue Strand. This gem is located in the upscale neighborhood of Klampenborg and is close to the Dyrehaven deer park.
Bellevue Strand is best known for its iconic lighthouses designed by globally-renowned Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. Jacobsen’s famous Bellavista apartments are just across the street from the beach.
In addition to its stunning surroundings, you’ll find several places for food close to Bellevue Strand. Frankie’s Pizza has a decent-sized restaurant here, and Bellevue Strand Café is also an option.
At a former petrol station also designed by Jacobsen, Olivers Isbar is 10 minutes away by bike. Here, you can get ice cream, sandwiches, and more.
To get to Bellevue Strand, you can cycle north of Østerbro; it’s roughly 40 minutes from the city center. Alternatively, hop on the S train heading toward Nivå from Copenhagen Central Station.
Hellerup Strand
The number of beaches in and around Copenhagen’s wealthiest suburbs is almost certainly a contributor to the extortionate real estate prices. A lesser-known spot is Hellerup Strand, which is a little closer to the city center than Bellevue Strand.
Hellerup Strand has some large apartment complexes behind it, meaning that you might struggle for direct sunlight in some instances. On the flip side, the water isn’t too deep — so it’s a good option if you’re not a strong swimmer.
This beach is pretty close to the main street in Hellerup, and you won’t need to worry about finding places for food and drink. However, it’s important to remember that this — like other suggestions on this list — gets busy in the summer.
To get to Hellerup Strand, you can cycle for 25-30 minutes north of central Copenhagen. Alternatively, it’s a 15-minute walk from Hellerup station; the same train you’d take to get to Klampenborg also stops here.
Svanemøllestranden
Another beach close to Copenhagen is Svanemøllestranden, which you’ll find a little north of the sparkling new Nordhavn district. This one is relatively small, stretching along just 130 meters.
It acts more as a spillover for people who couldn’t find a spot to sunbathe along the waterfront at Nordhavn, which becomes extremely packed when the weather gets warmer.
Svanemøllestranden is relatively new, having opened in 2010. You’ll find a couple of facilities nearby, namely Café Sundet, a little further along the promenade.
To get to Svanemøllestranden, it’s roughly a 10-minute bike ride from Nordhavn. Alternatively, you can take the train to Svanemøllen station and walk for around the same time.
Køge Bugt Strandpark/Ishøj Strand
If you’ve read this far, it’s easy to think that the northern parts of Copenhagen steal all of the beaches in the area. However, this isn’t the case; you’ll find many others close by.
Just south of the city (but still in the Greater Copenhagen area), you’ll find Ishøj Strand — which is a part of Køge Bugt Strandpark.
Ishøj Strand is right next to ARKEN Museum for Modern Art. You’ll find a couple of places to eat nearby if you’re feeling hungry, including Ka’nalu, Hummeren, and Café SeaSea Ishøj.
To get to Ishøj, you’re better off driving or taking the train; it’s quite far to bike out of central Copenhagen. You can hop on a train towards Køge and get off at Ishøj before walking for a further 11 minutes; the train journey itself takes 30 minutes.
If you plan to drive instead, the quickest route is the E20. You’ll get there from downtown Copenhagen in 25-30 minutes.
Tisvildeleje Strand
If you fancy a day by the seaside, but you don’t want to stay in the Copenhagen area, the northern part of Sjælland has several picturesque beaches with great sand. One of the most popular retreats for Copenhageners is Tisvildeleje Strand, which is in the very north of the island.
Tisvildeleje Strand is a fantastic place to spend a day or two. In addition to plenty of sunbathing spots, you can also go exploring in the huge forest just behind the beach. You’ll also find several ice cream stands, and the town of Tisvilde has numerous restaurants.
Tisvildeleje Strand has several parking spots and is just under an hour from downtown Copenhagen. The fastest route is Route 16, which takes just over 50 minutes.
To get here by public transport, take the train to Hillerød and change for the 960R. Get off at Tisvilde; from there, it’s a 10-minute walk.
Hornbæk Strand
Sticking in the northern part of Sjælland, our next beach near Copenhagen is Hornbæk Strand. Hornbæk is a small town just north of Helsingør, a popular day trip from the capital.
Hornbæk Strand is the most popular beach in Nordsjælland and has plenty of places to grab a tan or take a dip in the sea. It has a couple of facilities, including a cafe and some supermarkets nearby.
Hornbæk Strand is close to the town’s main train station and is just over an hour-and-a-half by public transport from Copenhagen. You can get a direct train to Gilleleje and then hop on the regional light rail to Hornbæk.
The quickest way to get to this beach from the capital is by driving. Driving time is 48 minutes via the E47 and Route 25, and 58 minutes if you go via Route 16 instead.
Snekkersten Strand
Next on our list of Copenhagen beaches is Snekkersten Strand, which is within touching distance of Helsingør. The beach is relatively small and is mainly frequented by those living in the small towns and neighborhoods nearby.
Compared to many other parts of Sjælland and Denmark, Snekkersten Strand doesn’t have to deal with as much wind as some of the other beaches we’ve listed. As such, you might find it a good place to hang out when it’s not warm enough to warrant a breeze.
To get to Snekkersten Strand, you can cycle from Helsingør in 12 minutes and get there by car in six. You can also get here by public transport in little time.
If you’re coming from Copenhagen instead, hop on a direct train to Snekkersten; the journey takes roughly 50 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive here in around 40.
Nivå Strand
Nivå Strand is around two-thirds of the way north between Copenhagen and Helsingør. The beach is close to Humlebæk, frequented by tourists and locals alike for the Louisiana Art Museum.
Nivå Strand is relatively small, and you’ll find a small café called Trekosten nearby. The beach also has parking spots, along with places to camp nearby.
To get to Nivå Strand, you can take a 40-minute drive from central Copenhagen via the E47 motorway. Alternatively, you can hop on a train to Nivå Station and walk the rest of the way. The train journey takes 29-40 minutes, depending on the service you choose.
Tinkerup Strand
For Copenhageners, Gilleleje is one of the most popular towns to visit on Nordsjælland. It’s well-known for its strong fishing industry and the fantastic seafood that has stemmed as a result of it, along with its picturesque harbor and surroundings.
Besides excellent culinary experiences, you’ll also find a pleasant beach known as Tinkerup Strand. The sun doesn’t set until after 10pm in the middle of June, and it’s an excellent place to watch it go down before it rises again just over six hours later.
Tinkerup Strand has various facilities, including toilets and a café called Kystgården. Along the harborfront, you’ll find countless seafood restaurants to dig your teeth into.
To get to Tinkerup Strand, you can get on a train to Hillerød from Copenhagen Central Station. From there, change for the 960R to Helsinge; you’ll need to make one more change there to get to Poppelvænget, which is two minutes away from the beach.
The drive from Copenhagen to Gilleleje is around an hour.
Liseleje Strand
Liseleje Strand is in the far northwest of Sjælland, which is pretty far off the beaten path. The beach is clean and surrounded by dunes and colorful houses alike and — unsurprisingly — is a popular spot to catch some rays when the weather plays fair.
Liseleje Strand has several places to sit down and take in the beautiful surroundings. You can also swim in the water, but it’s worth noting that dogs aren’t allowed on the beach from June to mid-September.
At this beach, you’ll find Haveje – a bar selling burgers, fries, salads, and more. You also have access to an information board, plus toilets and places to leave your trash.
To get to Liseleje Strand, the journey by public transport is roughly two hours from Copenhagen. Get the train to Hillerød and change there for a local service to Frederiksværk, where you’ll make one more switch and get off at Lisehøjvej.
Driving from Copenhagen to Liseleje is much quicker; via Route 16, you can expect to get here in an hour.
Vedbæk Strand
Vedbæk Strand is another one of our frequently-visited outer Copenhagen beaches. It’s just north of Dyrehaven and roughly halfway between the capital and Helsingør.
If you come here in the middle of July, it’s easy to feel like you’re on a quaint Greek island and not within a stone’s throw of a large city.
Vedbæk Strand has a cafe called Rosenhuset not far from the beach and harbor area. You’ll also find an ice cream parlor, plus several restaurants.
The beach and harbor area is just 30 minutes from downtown Copenhagen. If you’re feeling fit, you can bike here in just over an hour.
Alternatively, you can get the Øresundståg to Vedbæk station and walk around 12 minutes.
Kobæk Strand
Kobæk Strand is a little out of the way, and it’s actually closer to Fyn than Copenhagen. Nonetheless, it’s a relatively spacious beach with rolling green views during the warmer months — and it’s pretty easy to get to from the city.
Kobæk Strand has a conference center close by, but that’s not all. You’ll find camping spots, plus a couple of restaurants — including Restaurant Solsikken and Nytorvs Konditori. In Skælskør, you can also enjoy a drink or two at Harboes Bryggeri and Gourmetbryggeriet.
To get to Kobæk Strand from Copenhagen, the quickest way is by car. The journey via the E20 route takes just over 80 minutes. In terms of public transport, get the train to Slagelse.
From the bus terminal on Nordre Stationsvej, catch the 470R bus and hop off at Holmevej.
Jersie Strandpark
If you don’t want to travel as far as is necessary to Kobæk Strand, Jersie Strandpark is one of the beaches near Copenhagen that is much easier to get to. It’s close to the pretty market town of Køge, which is just south of the capital.
Jersie Strandpark is a relatively large area, and you’ll find a reasonable amount of space to put down a towel and kick back on a hot summer’s day. If you head into Solrød’s town center, you’ll find several supermarkets, bakeries, and places to eat.
Getting to Jersie Strandpark from Copenhagen is simple. All you need to do is hop on a train towards Køge and get off at Jersie station. From there, it’s an eight-minute walk to the beach.
Copenhagen is a great place to switch off and forget about the world
Denmark’s capital is a dynamic city with plenty of cultural activities within the center. But if you’re looking for some time away from the (relative) hustle and bustle, there are plenty of beaches in Copenhagen and its surrounding areas for you to enjoy.
While the weather doesn’t play fair for most of the year, you’ll find few things more enjoyable in Denmark than sunbathing on a warm summer’s day. And if it gets too hot, you can always hop in the water — even if it’s not Mediterranean levels of warmth.
The Nordic region is one of contrasts. Long, bright summer’s days are countered with cold, long, and dark winters.
Luckily, there are plenty of activities to do year-round; one of the best is to hunt for the Northern Lights. While they’re uncommon in Denmark, Finland is an excellent place to make your dreams a reality.
And if you need a place to stay during your visit, check out some of these hotels.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
Now read these:
—What is Denmark famous for?
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