The 7 best places to swim in Copenhagen, Denmark

Swimming is a big part of Danish culture, and Copenhagen, Denmark's seaside capital, offers plenty of opportunities for a dip. From urban decks to harborside platforms and even sandy beaches, the best places to swim in Copenhagen draw swimmers all year long – yes, even in winter!

You can stick to the center and lounge in the sun at Ofelia Plads or Havnebadet Islands Brygge, or you can venture north along the shore to catch some rays with a side of Bauhaus architecture, or head south for dunes and a view of Sweden. Be sure to pack a towel, swimsuit and something warm to change into after your swim.

The changing seasons have a big impact on the Danish swimming experience. Families gather in summer on the sandy shoreline at Amager, when the water temperature can reach 18ºC (64ºF), but you can plunge through a hole in the ice in the same location in mid-winter, or chill (the other kind) on the pier in the hip neighborhood of Christianshavn at any time of year.

Alongside the city's fabulous food, swimming is one of the reasons locals love their capital so much, so grab your swimsuit and dive into our guide to the best places to swim in Copenhagen.

1. Ofelia Plads

Best place to relax by the water downtown

In the Indre By district in the heart of Copenhagen, just north of the historic harbor at Nyhavn, Ofelia Plads is the most central spot to chill out by the water – perfect if you’re looking to rest between sightseeing stops. This man-made wooden sundeck has views of Amalienborg and the Operaen, and it draws locals in droves on warm days.

Swimming is not officially encouraged, but people often take a dip in summer. The huge wooden deck is set up with lots of lounge chairs, and waiting food trucks can satiate your hunger before or after a plunge. On a fine summer evening, Ofelia is a lively place to grab a few drinks and watch Copenhageners unwind.

Planning tip: If you don't feel like an unauthorized swim, head south to Havnebadet Islands Brygge, a 20-minute walk to the south.

2. Bellevue Beach

Best beach for architecture fans

Located 10km north of Copenhagen, Bellevue is a proper beach, and it offers the best of the Danish Riviera experience. The shore is lined with nearly a kilometer of white sand, the water is clear and good for swimming, and it's easy to get here on public transportation – just take the train toward Klampenborg.

As well as enjoying the sea and sand, keep an eye out for some important examples of 1930s Danish architecture. The Danish Bauhaus-style lifeguard tower and the apartment complex Bella Vista were designed by famed architect Arne Jacobsen. For lunch, take a 1.5km stroll to Olivers Garage, a lovely cafe serving sandwiches and ice cream in a former gas station – also designed by Jacobsen.

Planning tip: If you want to dip your toes in the sand without traveling out of the city, sandy Svanemøllen Beach sits in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, about 4km north of the center.

3. Havnebadet Islands Brygge

Best outdoor swimming spot in central Copenhagen

Probably the most popular swimming spot in Copenhagen, Havnebadet Islands Brygge, to the south of Christianshavn, is an excellent hangout if the weather is warm. There are five outdoor swimming pools at the harbor baths, with an open lawn where locals gather to picnic, play games, enjoy music and catch some rays.

There are tons of activities on offer, including volleyball, an outdoor gym, a play pool for kids and diving platforms of different heights. If you dare, you can jump off the 5m-high diving board, the tallest one here, but warm up first on the lower platforms.

Planning tip: The baths are open year-round, including in winter, when the diving area is reserved for the local winter swimming club. If you feel like a wintery dip, there's a smaller marked area for the general public.

4. Kalvebod Bølge

Best spot for downtown sunbathing and diving

Directly opposite Islands Brygge, Kalvebod Bølge at Kalvebod Brygge is another good spot for a quick dip in the harbor waters. This broad wooden promenade is a popular spot to enjoy the sun in summer, and there are swimming areas for kids and adults.

Feel like a daredevil? Try diving from one of the towers or the roller-coaster-like wooden ramp – a popular test of bravery for young Copenhageners. Kalvebod Bølge is also a popular launch point for kayaking, with rentals and lessons available through Kajakhotellet, which also operates at Amager Strand.

Planning tip: The Kalvebod Bølge baths are open 24 hours – ideal for the long evenings of the Danish summer.

5. Havnevigen Harbor Bath

Best beach for families

Loads of parents with young children meet up at Havnevigen, a wide sandy stretch of artificial beach located in the modern part of Islands Brygge, about 2km south of Christianshavn. Beyond the sand, the man-made swimming lake is 2m deep in places, with kid-friendly shallow waters at the edges. Havnevigen's family-friendly vibe is a reminder of the value that Denmark places on recreational activities for the city’s inhabitants.

Planning tip: After a swim, top up your energy levels at Nöa’h, a cute cafe nearby.

6. Amager Strand

Best beach for an active day out

With sand dunes and grassy lawns, the huge beach park on the island of Amager, about 5km southeast of the center, is a haven for nature lovers, as well as being a top spot for water-based activities such as paddleboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking. The beach is easily reached from central Copenhagen on the metro, and if you're here to swim, there are several platforms at different heights to jump off.

Amager's long beach stretches for 4.6km, with views toward Sweden and the Øresund Bridge, which connects the two countries. Architecture lovers will want to swim at the Kastrup Sea Bath, which is shaped like a huge, curling wooden snail, hence its Danish nickname, Sneglen (Snail).

Planning tip: In winter, Amager Strand is a popular destination for ice swimming, with people taking a frosty dip at the Amager Helgoland bathhouse. For summertime windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons, contact the Copenhagen Surf School, or try Kajakhotellet for kayak rentals and classes.

7. La Banchina

Best swimming spot in Christianshavn

Located in Christianshavn – a former industrial area that has evolved into an alternative enclave and one of the hippest areas of the city – the La Banchina snack shack is right on the water, luring locals all day long with its wooden swimming pier, delicious all-day dining, wine, beer and great coffee.

Banchina means "pier" in Italian, and a cool crowd of Copenhagen locals hang out on the wooden jetty, chatting and lolling in between dips in the cool harbor waters. If that sounds a little too cold for you, book a spot at La Banchina's sauna, but be sure to book in advance.