Summer in Copenhagen

Now it’s finally summer in Copenhagen again and the city shows itself from its most beautiful and welcoming side. The mermaid is sparkling in the sun, Nyhavn is filled to the bursting point, and Tivoli Gardens has opened its 167th season.

The city’s classics are not popular for no reason, but sometimes it’s exciting to move outside the beaten track and visit some of the less crowded places, not on the first page of the tourist guide.

Here are a few tips for different experiences in Copenhagen — and a little advertisement for the upcoming jazz festival, which may not exactly represent the most original recommendation, but just one of summer’s best offerings.

Nature in the city

Usually, holiday in the city means culture, shopping and nightlife, and the experience of urban nature will be limited to roadside trees and well manicured parks. But Copenhagen is blessed with several beautiful natural areas that can offer the experience of rural tranquillity.

Most will know ‘Dyrehaven’, but you actually don’t have to go any further than Amager – which in the tourism context can be described almost as a forgotten part of Copenhagen – to experience nature. Here, for example, you find the conservation area Amager Fælled, where you can go roller-skating, geocaching or bird watching at one of the many nature trails, and Amager Beach, which as a Copenhagen Copacabana allows you to combine the big city with a holiday on the beach.

The other centres

Shopping in Copenhagen doesn’t have to be limited to the main shopping street ‘Strøget’. The city consists of several distinct neighbourhoods, each built around a main street, which works as a kind of centre for the area.

Nørrebrogade in Nørrebro, Østerbrogade in Østerbro, Vesterbrogade in Vesterbro and Amagerbrogade in Amager. Each district has its unique characteristics, and if you want to be close to the common Copenhageners, this is where to go.

All main streets are characterized by a mix of small shops, restaurants and cafes, and the prices will usually be more accessible than at the shops downtown.

Summer Jazz

Friday the 2nd of July jazz will be in town when the annual and always eagerly awaited Copenhagen Jazz Festival is kicked off. It is a big event in the Copenhagen summer period, but perhaps even more this year when the city can offer the classic venue Jazzhouse Montmartre a big welcome back.

During the ten day festival, music can be found everywhere. More than 800 concerts will take place at venues, in parks, on the city squares and just about anywhere a scene can fit in, and more than 200,000 people will participate in the festivities. If you are in Copenhagen in the period, you must not miss this festival, which among other features artists like Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock and Martha Wainwright.

Have a nice summer!