Copenhagen holidays

Beaches probably aren’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Copenhagen, but they’re here, and they’re actually pretty special. If you’re visiting in summer, popping a few hours of sunbathing time on your agenda is a must. The city’s pretty shorelines offer up sugary sand, grassy dunes and glass-clear water.

In the summer months, Amager Beach becomes one of Copenhagen’s most popular spots. It’s 15 minutes’ drive outside of the city centre, and people flock here for the silky sand and clean water. If sunbathing’s not for you, you can hop on a kayak or a jet-ski and get out on the water, instead.

If you don’t want to stray too far from the city centre, you can cool off in one of the pools along Copenhagen’s harbourfront. Brygge Harbour Bath is a top pick – there’s no sand here, but the city views make up for it, and the water’s ideal for swimming in.

If you’re after a bargain, head straight to Gammel Strand. As one of Copenhagen’s most popular flea markets, it offers up plenty of opportunities to nab knick-knacks and souvenirs. There’s a string of coffee shops nearby for when you fancy a break, and the canal-side location adds to the market’s charm.

For high street brands like H&M, Zara and LEGO, make a beeline for Strøget. It’s one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, and cuts right through the heart of Copenhagen. There are a few local stores in the mix, too, along with souvenir shops.

Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter plays host to a string of local designer stores, where you can get your hands on everything from jewellery to home accessories. And Strøget – the city’s main shopping street – is where you’ll find well-known luxury brands, like Louis Vuitton and Prada.

Copenhagen’s bodegas – or traditional pubs – are popular hangout spots for anyone who fancies a low-key night out. They go back to basics when it comes to decor, and are often kitted out with vintage jukeboxes.

The city centre’s where you’ll find the liveliest night-time venues. House and techno clubs are popular haunts, and there’s no shortage of cocktail bars to kick off your evening in.

You won’t have to look far to find traditional Danish pastries in Copenhagen – the city’s bakeries are full of them. The most popular options have an almond-paste-and-custard filling, and are topped with blueberries, currants, or small chunks of apple or apricot.

Copenhagen’s full of bars, pubs and restaurants serving craft beer. There are even bars dedicated entirely to this popular tipple. If you want to get your hands on some, the best place to head to is the Nørrebro area, where the streets are peppered with pubs.

Open sandwiches are a go-to snack here, and you’ll find them in bakeries all over the city. The base is usually some form of rye bread, and it’s topped with either meat, fish or vegetables, along with a sauce.

There are tonnes of hot dog stands dotted around Copenhagen, all selling one of the city’s most popular snacks – red sausage. Just like you’d expect, the sausages are served in a bun and topped with ketchup, mustard and diced onions.

Fine dining is big business around here. In fact, there are more Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen than in any other Scandinavian city. Lots of them focus on traditional Nordic fare, so you can expect to see plenty of seafood, rye bread and root veg in the dishes.