7 Tips for a romantic Valentine's Day in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a city that offers many unique romantic options for spending Valentine's Day. From strolling through beautiful gardens to dining above the city and stargazing, romance is not hard to find here. These are some of our favorite ways to spend Valentine's Day in Copenhagen.

1. Stroll through the Royal Garden

Some Valentine's Day activities can be quite expensive, but that's not the case with this first option. The Royal Garden at Rosenborg Castle is the oldest royal garden in the country, laid out in the early 17th century by King Christian IV. The former royal pleasure gardens are a great place for a romantic stroll in Copenhagen. The pleasure garden has herb beds, a rose garden, beautiful flower beds, lawns, fountains, and various sculptures. Here you can stroll along tree-lined paths, under rose-covered arches, and sit on one of the garden benches to enjoy the garden and each other's company. The Royal Garden is a public park that is open to everyone.

2. Horse-drawn carriage ride

Just ten kilometers north of Copenhagen lies the vast Dyerhaven, an 11 km2 park known for its huge old oak trees and large populations of red deer and fallow deer. During the ride, you can snuggle up under a blanket and enjoy the sights and sounds of Dyrehaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the park is a fantastic way to discover the flora, fauna, and cultural history on Valentine's Day or any other day of the year. The carriages stop at Klampenborg Station, which you can easily reach within 20 minutes by public transport from the center of Copenhagen.

3. Discover the city's canals

A great way to learn more about the city and see some of its most beautiful sights is to take a boat trip through the many canals in the city center. A canal cruise is definitely one of the most relaxing ways to see the city's popular sights. Attractions along the routes include the Copenhagen Opera House, Christiansborg and Amalienborg palaces, and the Little Mermaid statue, perhaps the city's most iconic monument. There are many different ways to explore the canals. If you prefer to sit back and relax on a guided tour, we recommend the tours offered by Netto-Boats. Adventurous couples may choose to rent kayaks and explore the canals at their own pace.

4. A movie date on Valentine's Day

For couples who enjoy watching movies, a visit to the cinema is a must. Husets, one of Copenhagen's oldest underground cinemas, is showing the romantic film “Brief Encounter” on Valentine's Day. The film was directed by David Lean and dates from 1945, but is still considered a true classic on the day of love. In the UK, it is a tradition to watch this film on February 14, and in Copenhagen, it is also becoming a beautiful tradition. In the film, Laura Jesson meets Dr. Alec Harvey in the café at the train station, and they immediately hit it off. They fall in love, but eventually realize that their own marriages are more important than the brief happiness they can have together. The story of Brief Encounter is subtle and emotional and is mainly about forbidden love, longing, and farewells. If you and your Valentine's date love classic, intense, and moving love stories, this film is a must-see! On Valentine's Day, Brief Encounter will be shown at Husets between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

5. Dine on the roof of Christiansborg Palace

A great place for a delicious dinner with a beautiful view of the city of Copenhagen is Norrlyst in the tower. The tower (Tårnet) is part of Christiansborg Palace and has only been open to the public since 2014, which means that everyone can now look out over the city from the 44-meter-high viewing platform. In the restaurant in the tower, you can choose between a set menu and an à la carte menu, so everyone can enjoy what they like. Norrlyst is on the pricier side, but luckily Valentine's Day falls during Dining Week. Dining Week takes place twice a year in Denmark and brings together a wide range of the best restaurants from across the country, all of which have put together a festival menu and are committed to ensuring that Dining Week guests enjoy a unique dining experience at a great price. This means there are plenty of opportunities for romantic dinners in the city at very attractive prices.

6. Take a refreshing winter dip

Winter swimming is a truly Danish experience, and creating this memory together makes it even more special. Copenhagen offers several locations for a refreshing dip in the winter months. You can go to Helgoland Badeanstalt on Amagerstrand or, if you want to stay in the centre, to Islands Brygge Havnebad in the city harbour, where you can warm up afterwards in one of Bryggen's many cosy cafés and restaurants.

Or cross the water from the Little Mermaid statue to La Banchina. Here you can combine swimming with dining and a sauna. It is the ultimate place to experience hygge by the harbour. The small restaurant offers lots of vegetables and everything the sea has to offer, combined with natural wines and cold beer.

7. Stargazing at Europe's oldest functioning observatory

A great way to end your romantic day in Copenhagen is with stargazing. Fortunately, Copenhagen has Europe's oldest functioning observatory, which you can find in the heart of the city in the Round Tower. You can take the wide spiral staircase to the top, which is 36 meters above street level. The Rundetaarn is open 362 days a year and is only closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. You can visit during the day to enjoy a panoramic view of Copenhagen or at sunset for a more romantic experience. In winter, the tower is open a few evenings a week for stargazing, which is perfect if you are visiting during Valentine's Day week.

A city trip to Copenhagen

In addition to these seven tips for a romantic Valentine's Day date, there are many more fun things to do in this city! Copenhagen combines history, culture, and conviviality, making it the ideal destination for a city trip. Whether you are in Copenhagen on Valentine's Day or any other day of the year, this city is a must-see!