All modern cities have a fair number of parks and green areas, but in Copenhagen even a cemetery can double as a park: Assistenskirkegården (in Nørrebro).
Besides beer drinking topless girls on top of graves, you can experience green areas worth a visit – and a picnic – in H.C. Ørstedsparken, Kastellet, Fælledparken, The Botanical Garden, Frederiksberg Have, and many other places.
If you prefer to hear gentle waves and see the water while enjoying a sandwich and a can of beer, you can sit by the inner harbor, by the lakes, or by the canals in Christianshavn.
In Denmark, the waterfront is always public domain, and no one can stop you from walking the entire stretch along the water.
The lakes are not natural. Far from it. They are square, shallow, and serve no practical purpose. Nevertheless, they have become a favorite excursion destination for Copenhageners, for a run, for a first date, for a walk with a stroller and a caffe latte, and for all the serious conversations in life. It’s an amazing place to watch people and birds.
If you are craving untamed nature, Amager Fælled is a massive protected wetland and grassland, perfect for a long, quiet walk, only a few minutes from the city centre. You might spot Highland cattle or Exmoor ponies grazing. The “Amarmino” is a 27 km hiking or biking trail that starts here and goes all the way to Dragør. Even the first 5 km feels like a total escape from urban life.
Sydhavnstippen is a bit of a hidden gem where you can find wild alpacas and sheep grazing freely among recycled art installations and rugged coastal paths.
One of Copenhagen’s claims to fame is the “Five Finger Plan”, which means that the city is connected to the suburbs in five “fingers” that extend towards Helsingør, Hillerød, Frederikssund, Roskilde and Køge, while the space between the fingers is farmland that comes almost all the way to the city.
Take the S-train out of one of the “fingers”, get off, and walk to the side, and before you know it you’re looking out over a field or forest.
Hasse “Hassan” Sørensen
