It’s not been remotely warm recently, and the last thing on my mind has been taking a dip to cool off. But sometimes you just have to pre-empt the weather, and I’m fully confident that by July, we’ll all be crying out for places to bathe. Rain, rain go away, don’t come back until I give you the okay. Although saying that, there’s rain forecast for the next five days.
Copencabana Harbour Bath
Part of the system of new bathing areas in the harbour, this free swimming spot has a space for kids, a 50-metre space for more serious swimmers doing lanes, and one, two, and three-metre jumps. Three lifeguards are on duty during all opening hours.
Gasværkshavnen, Kalvebod Brygge (by nr. 53), Cph V; Open daily 11:00-19:00; free adm; www.kubik.kk.dk/fisketorvetbad
Amager Beach Park
This beach is nearly five kilometres long with a 400-metre surface down to the water at its widest point. Within an easy bike ride of the city centre, and connected to the metro at the Øresund stop, this beach attracts a mix of locals and tourists – everyone from students to families. The water warms up sooner in the shallow areas leading out to the sound, and good summer days can attract some 70,000 swimmers, rollerbladers, kayakers, and beachgoers.
Amager Strandvej 100, 2300 Cph S; free adm; www.amager-strand.dk
Bellevue Beach
The beach here is around 20-40 metres wide, but offers several piers to jump off into deeper water. The area has a long history, designed as a recreational space in 1932 by the renowned architect Arne Jacobsen to provide a space for the entertainment of the general public. These days two kiosks and a fruit stand have set up shop, and lifeguards are on duty from June to August. Anyone not swimming hangs out on the wide grass area set back from the water.
Strandvejen 340, 2900 Hellerup; free adm; www.bellevuestrandbad.dk
Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
On hot summer days it can be too much to journey far, and this spot right in the centre of town satisfies the craving to get wet and cool off fast. The harbour provides the perfect shock of cold water, which has been cleaned out slowly after the heavy boat traffic stopped coming through the centre. This bathing spot allows swimmers to view the city from the water, and sample the restaurants and cafes that line Islands Brygge. On warm days the line of sunbathers stretches down to the pedestrian bridge across the harbour.
2300 Cph S; Open Mon-Fri 07:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-19:00; free adm, www.islands-brygge.com
Bavnehøj Swimming Pool
This newly-renovated 25-metre pool re-opened two years ago and will keep the whole family entertained for free. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the facility opens at 07:00 for the early birds looking to swim in peace. Children and swimmers not interested in lanes can let loose in the play pool, or picnic in the grass next to the swimming area. In June the pool water is significantly warmer than the 15-degree water in the ocean.
Bavnehøj, Enghavevej 90, Cph SV; Open daily 10:00-18:00, Mon & Thu 07:00-18:00; free adm; www.kubik.kk.dk/bavnehoj-friluftsbad
Østerbro Beach
Two summers ago, this new beach opened to great fanfare as part of the city’s programme to create more areas for bathing in the harbour. 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.
Svanemøllen Bay, Cph Ø; free adm; www.kubik.kk.dk/svanemoellenstrand
