Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Copenhagen. The sun doesn’t set until late in the evening, so the days feel like they last forever. Here are my favorite cozy, outdoorsy things to do in Copenhagen in summer, from biking along the harbor to cruising the canals and eating street food by the water.
Bike Through the City
With bike lanes everywhere in Copenhagen, I recommend exploring the city by bike. It’s a great way to get around the different neighborhoods quickly and see the many beautiful waterfronts of this harbor city. Plenty of shops rent bikes, or you can download a city bike app and hop on one of those.
Explore the Charming Canals
Copenhagen is known for its beautiful canals, which you can wander along or sail through. In summer, I especially love strolling through Christianshavn’s colorful canals, where you’ll find boats of all kinds and people hanging out or having a picnic by the water. See my Top 10 Things to Do in Christianshavn.
For a full canal tour, I highly recommend Netto-Bådene. They have a ticket booth by Nyhavn with affordable prices and great guides.
Eat Street Food by the Water
Two of the must-visit street food spots in Copenhagen are Broens Street Food and Reffen.
If you’re near Nyhavn, walk across the Inderhavnsbroen bridge, which leads straight to Broens Street Food in Christianshavn.
Reffen is a much bigger street food market on Refshaleøen. You can get there by bus or harbor ferry.
Picnic in King’s Garden
In summer, King’s Garden is where locals go for a picnic on the lawn. Don’t miss the rose garden in front of Rosenborg Castle in bloom during summer months. Pick up food or coffee on your way and spend the long light evenings here. It’s free, and it works well after a day of sightseeing. See King’s Garden in my Top 10 for the full guide.
Rent a Boat with Friends
If you’d rather be your own captain, you can rent a boat without a license and explore Copenhagen’s canals and harbor on your own. GoBoat, which you can rent from Islands Brygge, is a popular option and very easy to use. They also let you bring your own food and drinks, so you can turn the ride into a cozy picnic with friends and family.
Shop at a Summer Flea Market
Flea markets pop up all over Copenhagen throughout summer. Besides unique thrift finds and Danish decor, they’re a great way to explore different neighborhoods. Nørrebro is often the go-to neighborhood for vintage finds, so its flea markets are especially worth checking out. See my Top 10 Things to Do in Nørrebro.
Tivoli Garden & Flower Festival: Late-Summer Blooms
As summer winds down, Tivoli Gardens fills with flowers for the annual Garden & Flower Festival (Have- og Blomsterfestival). Florists and floral artists create installations among the garden paths, there are flower and garden markets to browse, and a program of family activities and workshops.
