Enjoy Copenhagen in Spring
Scandinavians love the sunshine and spring gives us the opportunity to get back to enjoying city life outdoors! The flowers are out, the leaves are on the trees, the parks have come to live, on sunny days you can enjoy the beaches, the canals and terraces provide the perfect spots to enjoy a drink in the sunshine, and it's a great time to bike around before the summer heat and crowds. Here's some of our favourite ways to spend spring in the city.
Walk the City Harbour
Spring is the time to hop on a bike or take a walk and enjoy the views from the city harbour. The city is flat to walk around, and the many canals provide the perfect backdrop to see the skyline and enjoy the views. Did you know that it was originally a Viking fishing town? That is why there are so many lovely sea and canal paths now still, because the city grew from the boats coming to the harbours here, the name Copenhagen actually means 'Merchant's harbour.' The harbour bike routes also provide great views for pedestrians, including the famous Circle Bridge which swings open to let ships pass through and gives a peaceful view-point of the city.
øster Søgade and Nørre Søgade
If you are just looking to take a wander around then you can make like a local and find a spot in the sun at the gardens at nearby Rosenborg Castle, or the King’s Garden.
Take a stroll along the waterfront and across the bridges along øster Søgade and Nørre Søgade and you can enjoy the views on the waterfront, or even take a swan boat to paddle about on the water. In winter this stretch sometimes freezes and you can even skate or bike across! So spring is the perfect time to enjoy the sunshine without the ice…
ç
øster Søgade and Nørre Søgade
Shop along Strøget
Passing through the centre of downtown Copenhagen is the long pedestrianised street named Strøget; the best place to head for shopping (or window shopping), and to see what is going on in the city. It's a great area to explore and one of the longest pedestrianised streets in Europe, so definitely a great place to enjoy the outside. Here you can find some of the main fashion shops and stores, including Illum and Magasin de Nord. You also pass by some of the city’s historical sights, along the walk as it stretches from the central City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv Square where you can see the waterfront. You can also take a side street to find vintage shops and bargains or carry on to other neighbourhoods like nearby Christiania or the other way to Nørreport shops and market.
Gothersgade (a great street for bars!)
From the downtown square of Kongens Nytorv to Sortedam Lake is the street of Gothersgade, that passes by Rosenborg Castle and gardens, Nørreport and the Botanical Gardens. This historical street is no home to plenty of bars, the Danish Film Institute (Cinemateket) and the King's gate which leads to the castle gardens and barracks.
Gothersgade is also a good option for those on a budget with some fun and lively bars at reasonable prices. It's a great place to hang out and you'll meet lots of local young people enjoying the vibe. We love Andy's Bar, so that's a great place to start!
øster Søgade and Nørre Søgade
Dyrehaven Park
A little way north you can find the woods and parkland of Dyrehaven; a peaceful place to enjoy nature and watch the wild deer. Here you will far from the hustle and bustle of the city but it’s only a quick trip from the centre. Enjoy the flowers and spring vibe!
Frederiksberg Gardens
The biggest open park space in Copenhagen city, Frederiksberg Gardens offer a great place for enjoying spring glowers and sunny days. These gardens were designed to honour former King Frederik VI and the design includes water features and bridges, the Frederiksberg Palace and the Chinese Pavillion, dating back to 1799. Walk up to the top of the hill to reach Copenhagen Zoo or just enjoy this local spot for picnics and walks.
Check out the Markets
There are some lovely markets to enjoy around Copenhagen, including vintage clothes, antiques, fresh fruit, and vegetables, bric a brac, and of course food and drink. One of the most popular is the covered market at Nørreport called Torvehallerne. This was a market spot since the 19th century, but now is a two-sided covered market where you can enjoy shopping for flowers, fruit, vegetables, international food and drink, and delicatessen gifts.
Open until 7pm Monday to Friday and 6pm weekends, this is the perfect spot to grab a coffee, ice cream, glass of wine, beer, and a whole load of snacks and meals. Expect freshly baked bread, delicious locally harvested food, and seasonal produce. Here you can enjoy wine tasting and all kind of events, as well as budget options like tapas, empanadas, sushi, and bakery treats.
Enjoy the Botanical Garden
Part of the University of Copenhagen and a few steps from SMK, the State Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens provides 10 hectares of green space with over 13,000 species of plant. It’s right in the city centre, beautiful and peaceful, and free! Come to check out the 100 year old palm house, the herbaria, the rare species of plants, or just the picnic spaces. It’s a calm and interesting spot that provides peace and quiet in the city centre. It’s open until 6pm in summer and 4pm in winter.
Explore Langelinie Park
Another park to chill out and enjoy the array of trees, flowers and the pier, is Langelinie Park. Best known for the promenade that leads to the Little Mermaid statue, it’s a beautiful place to see some historical monuments but also enjoy the waterfront views and the green outdoor space.
Wherever you go in Copenhagen during your visit, enjoy it! We hope you enjoyed our tips for enjoying Copenhagen in the spring time!
Book your Bed at Copenhagen Downtown Hostel
If you're planning a visit to Copenhagen, then book your bed with us this spring! We have a selection of rooms both shared and private, and an international bar, chill out areas, and great food. Enjoy our central location and Scandinavian retro style at the coolest hostel in town, at Copenhagen Downtown.
Book directly with us for the best prices and added benefits, and check out our friends at St Christopher’s Inns Hostels and Famous Hostels for the best hostels around Europe for Genuine Backpackers.