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Insider tips for an amazing summer in Copenhagen

July 25, 2024

The sun is shining down on the streets of Copenhagen. The city is bustling with people. The sound of bicycles swiftly winding through narrow lanes mingles with the warmth of summer. Conversations flow freely at numerous street cafes, and the shops are bustling with customers. A group of young people, wearing white hats and holding beers, turn a corner and head towards one of the canals. Suddenly, you feel a drop on your arm and are glad you remembered your umbrella this time.

Danish summer – what is it all about? And what do many young people spend their time on during the summer months in Denmark? This blog aims to give you 8 great insider tips.

1. Enjoy delicious and unique street food

During the summer, many outdoor food markets open up. These have become popular dining spots for young people looking to try new and exciting street food or just relax with friends over a beer. The food markets Reffen and Broens Gadekøkken are particularly popular, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. You can find bars and kitchens from all over the world here. Both locations are right by the water, offering great views of Copenhagen. If the dining tables are full, you can easily take your food to the harbour and enjoy it with a beautiful view.

2. Hop in the harbour

As soon as the sun shines and the temperature hits 20 degrees, many Danes don their swimwear. Did you know that several of the canals in Copenhagen are suitable for swimming? In the summer, you will find the harbour baths filled with people. Many young people head to “Bryggen” – a harbour bath at Havnestads Havnepark on Islands Brygge. Here, people swim, grill on disposable barbecues, drink beer and play cards. There are many similar spots in Copenhagen, each with its unique charm. 

3. Enjoy Copenhagen’s cafes

Copenhagen has a strong café culture. With cozy interiors and informal settings, cafes invite the kind of hygge that Danes love. In the summer, this culture is revitalised. Cafes buzz with life from morning to evening. In the morning, many enjoy a delicious brunch or just a ‘BMO’ (a bun with cheese). Many also enjoy lunch or coffee with friends, and in the evening, cafes are a great choice for a cosy, budget-friendly dinner. Many people sit outside late into the evening, playing cards and enjoying a drink under the cafe's heaters.

Along Nyhavn, there are many cosy cafés and restaurants. If you want to go to a less touristy place, try Christianshavn. Here, you'll find several cafes along a beautiful canal filled with houseboats of all sizes.



4. Go to a summer house

Although Danes love to travel, many choose to stay in Denmark. Instead, they go to summer houses in the countryside, away from the city. Many young people go to summer houses in larger or smaller groups, either a family summer house or one they rent. These trips often involve parties, drinking games, board games, cooking, beach trips and music all day long. Some parties have gotten so wild that many summer house renters now have special rules for youth groups to ensure the house's condition.



5. Find a festival

Every summer, many different music festivals are held across the country. The most famous is probably Roskilde Festival, which is also the largest music festival in the Nordic countries. But there are many other festivals like Smukfest, Tinderbox and Grøn Koncert. Festivals create a unique atmosphere of celebration and youth culture. They are a highlight of the summer, where young people from all over the country gather, dance and drink from morning until late into the light summer nights.
There's also a festival that takes place in the streets of Copenhagen, namely Distortion. This music festival is mobile, taking place in different areas of Copenhagen each day. The festival focuses especially on the urban and electronic music genre. Every year, the summer kicks off with this huge street party, where young, lively people take over the streets.

6. Watch films under the stars

Outdoor cinemas are also very popular during the summer. Many Danes go to the outdoor cinema in Lynge in North Zealand. Here, you can watch movies on a large screen from your car and enjoy your own snacks.
Cinemateket also hosts outdoor cinemas in various places across the country. You can find this year's program here.
Just a few minutes from Borgergade at Gothersgade 55, you will find an outdoor cinema on the rooftop terrace of Cinemateket, their "Himmelbio" ('Sky Cinema'). Here, international as well as Danish classics are shown. During the day on weekdays, there is a free walk-in cinema showing Danish short films. If you're a bit of a film nerd, you can also see a free exhibition on the rooftop terrace about Danish film from its beginnings until the present day. 
You can read more about it on Cinemateket's website, where you can also find the schedule for the Himmelbio.



7. Enjoy a bowl of koldskål - the taste of Danish summer

Something that both young and old love is the traditional Danish summer dessert, koldskål. Every year, Danes buy millions of litres of this dessert, which you can also make yourself – many families have their own special recipe. It typically consists of buttermilk and ymer (a kind of thick yoghurt), mixed with eggs, sugar, vanilla, and a bit of lemon. Koldskål is often served with small biscuits called kammerjunkere and also tastes great with strawberries. The dessert is light, refreshing, and perfect for warm summer days. A Danish favourite.



8. Don't pack your rain gear too far away

All of this sounds wonderful. However, one thing that also characterises the Danish summer is the unpredictable weather. Rain is just as much a part of the Danish summer as everything else mentioned. When you hear meteorologists talking about “classic Danish summer weather”, they mean changeable weather with rain, showers, thunder and sometimes sunshine and clear skies. Summer in Denmark also involves lots of indoor hygge with creative projects, movies and tv series.
So the best advice: get used to the rain and showers, and make sure to enjoy the warm, sunny days when they do come.

Have a great summer!