You wouldn’t dream of swimming in the Thames or the Hudson, but yet the centre of Copenhagen is awash with natural pools that are open to the public and free to use. Taking advantage of them is a unique experience.
Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
Cph S; Open Mon-Fri 07:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-19:00; free adm,international.kk.dk
Cleaned out slowly after the heavy boat traffic stopped coming through the centre, the harbour provides a perfect shock of cold water and great views of the city from the water.
Copencabana Harbour Bath
Gasværkshavnen, Kalvebod Brygge (by nr. 53), Cph V; Open daily 11:00-19:00; free adm; kubik.kk.dk/
Also in the harbour, it has a pool for kids, a 50-metre space for more serious swimmers doing lanes, and plenty of high-boards.
Amager Beach Park
Amager Strandvej 100, Cph S; free adm; amager-strand.dk
Connected to the Metro at the Øresund stop, on warm summer days the 5km beach can attract some 70,000 swimmers, rollerbladers, kayakers, and beachgoers.
Bellevue Beach
Strandvejen 340, Hellerup; free adm; bellevuestrandbad.dk
The beach here is around 20-40 metres wide, but offers several piers to jump off into deeper water. Lifeguards are on duty from June to August. Anyone not swimming hangs out on the wide grass area set back from the water.
Østerbro Beach
Svanemøllen Bay, Cph Ø; free adm; kubik.kk.dk/svanemoellenstrand
The shallow gradient out into the bay is perfect for the younger crew, combined with a 130-metre pier out into the water for jumping out into the deeper parts.
