10 Fun things to do in Copenhagen during the summer

Copenhagen is a wonderful city to visit in the summer, with plenty of activities and a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy the delicious food, relax on the beach, explore the city by bike and visit the many great festivals. In this blog, we’d like to share the 10 best things to do in Copenhagen during the summer.

1. Take a refreshing dip in the water

On hot summer days, there’s nothing better than cooling off with a dip in the water. Did you know that the water in the centre of Copenhagen is so clean that you can actually swim in it? Join the locals at Havnebadet Islands Brygge, a popular swimming spot right in the city centre. The site consists of four different outdoor pools, where you can take a refreshing break in the cool water whilst enjoying a stunning view of the city. The outdoor pools are free to access and offer a unique experience to add to your Copenhagen itinerary.

2. Explore Copenhagen by bike

As one of the world’s cycling capitals, Copenhagen is incredibly bike-friendly. And when the weather is fine, exploring the city by bike is great fun. Fortunately, the city offers various bike tours and bike hire options. There are general bike tours that take you past key sights and local hotspots. But there are also themed tours, such as Green Bike Tours and a Bike Art Tour. When you’re in Copenhagen, you’ll see plenty of locals on bikes; just join in!

3. Discover Copenhagen with the Hop-on Hop-off bus

A fun and comfortable way to explore Copenhagen is by taking the Hop-on Hop-off bus. You can hop on and off as often as you like at the stops that interest you most. Ideal for a city break, as it allows you to see a lot of the city. You can choose from tickets valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, so you can explore Copenhagen entirely at your own pace. Especially on a summer's day when the weather isn't great, this is an ideal way to explore Copenhagen.

4. Enjoy cuisine from around the world

Copenhagen is renowned for its vibrant and lively restaurant scene. What better way to treat yourself after a long day of sightseeing than with delicious food from all over the world? You can discover the city’s unique food culture by strolling around the harbour and making your way to Reffen. This street food venue is home to over 30 different food stalls, conveniently located right by the harbour. The food stalls here offer delicious snacks and meals from all over the world. You’ll find homemade ice cream, African dishes featuring regional ingredients such as baobab juice, fresh burgers and Middle Eastern kebabs. Whether you want to try something new or fancy your favourite snack, you’re likely to find it here. This is the perfect spot to refuel and enjoy a refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day. And at Reffen, you’ll also find live entertainment and games.

5. Copenhagen’s best festivals

Copenhagen’s calendar is packed with fun festivals and cultural events during the summer months. Distortion kicks off the summer with a week of organised chaos on the streets. From 3 to 7 June 2026, thousands of locals in both Nørrebro and Vesterbro will celebrate one of Europe’s biggest street parties.

The Copenhagen Summer Festival delights with classical chamber music performed by new, young talent and leading artists. The festival is an important platform for young musical talent, the stars of tomorrow. This year, the festival takes place from 19 July to 2 August at Kunsthalle Charlottenburg on the waterfront at Nyhavn.

Since the 1950s, Copenhagen has continuously built on its reputation as a jazz city. The Danish capital’s distinctive connection with jazz has resulted in the annual 10-day Copenhagen Jazz Festival, one of Europe’s largest jazz festivals. It offers more than 600 concerts across 150 venues. You can enjoy this lavish musical celebration in the streets of Copenhagen and in all the clubs, cafés and concert halls between 3 and 12 July 2026.

6. Relax on Copenhagen’s beaches

Although Copenhagen may not seem like the typical beach destination, the Danish capital is surrounded by numerous beautiful beaches just outside the city centre. Amager Strand is easily accessible by public transport and is Copenhagen’s largest beach. The beach is not only ideal for water sports or a picnic, but is also the venue for many cultural and other fun events on warm summer evenings.

Svanemølle Beach in Østerbro is popular with both tourists and locals. Although the sandy beach is relatively small, it offers stunning views of the water and the city, making it the second most popular beach for spending a sunny day in the Danish capital. Nearby, you’ll find the best pizza and ice cream to enjoy a relaxing day in the sun.'

7. Relax in Copenhagen’s green parks

In Copenhagen, you’ll find several lush green gardens and parks scattered throughout the city. They are the ideal spots for a picnic on the grass, a stroll or simply relaxing on a sunny day. Especially if you don’t want to leave the city to visit Dyrehaven or Kronborg Castle. One of the most popular parks is King’s Garden. It is situated right next to Rosenborg Castle and was laid out under Christian IV in the 17th century. The Renaissance-style garden is the oldest royal garden in the country and is particularly beautiful in summer thanks to the large flowerbeds full of colourful blooms. Other parks you can visit in the city include Østre Anlæg, behind SMK (Statens Museum for Kunst), and Langelinieparken near the Little Mermaid statue. The Botanical Garden also offers a wonderful escape from the city noise and is home to the largest collection of living plants in the whole of Denmark. And of course, Tivoli is an amusement park not to be missed, with plenty of greenery and flowers.

8. Explore the harbour by kayak

Discover Copenhagen from the water and enjoy a lovely kayak trip through the harbour. There are many different providers in the area where you can hire a kayak. GreenKayak hires out kayaks whilst doing a good deed. You can hop into one of the bright green kayaks for free in exchange for collecting rubbish around the harbour and sharing the company’s mission on social media. In this way, the company has already managed to collect over 100,000 kg of rubbish from the sea!

9. Take a trip to Dyrehavn

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a while and spending some time amongst the trees, take a short trip north to Jægersborg Dyrehave. In the park, you’ll find over 2,000 deer roaming freely, as well as lush green woodland, beautiful little lakes and sweeping landscapes. It was once a hunting ground for the Danish royal family. Dyrehave is the ideal destination to take a break from your city break and go for a long walk in the countryside. The park is situated roughly halfway between Copenhagen and Kronborg Castle, making it easy to combine a visit to both places. This way, you can easily enjoy a varied day trip from Copenhagen filled with nature, history and stunning views.

10. Visit Copenhagen Zoo

And then there’s Copenhagen Zoo in Frederiksberg, one of the oldest zoos in Europe. It is home to over 4,000 animals from all over the world and is one of Denmark’s most visited attractions. In summer, many animals are more active and can be seen outdoors more often. A visit to the zoo is therefore a fun and relaxing activity during your city break. Stroll at your leisure through the green park and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. At Copenhagen Zoo, you can also watch feeding times, take part in workshops and learn more about the various animals. Admire elephants, pandas, giraffes and many more special animal species here!

Enjoy the summer in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a diverse city and therefore a fantastic destination in the summer. The city is known for its cosy atmosphere, beautiful spots and relaxed Scandinavian lifestyle. Whether you want to relax by the water, explore the city by bike, visit festivals or stroll through green parks: there is something for everyone to enjoy. In Copenhagen, you can combine culture, nature, good food and relaxation in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The perfect destination for a summer city break!