A Copenhagen Review: My Top 5 Must Do Activities
By Lara Hather
A double degree in a Bachelor of Commerce and Politics, Philosophy and Economics
2024 Semester 1, Exchange at the Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
Sauna
Truth be told, before I moved to Copenhagen I found the idea of saunas mostly strange and slightly suffocating. To sit in a hot room with other sweaty bodies did not seem like an ideal way to wind down. But, given it鈥檚 the Nordic way, I gave it a go and I must say it鈥檚 honestly one of my favourite things to do to relax. In Denmark, people sauna the way Aussies might go to the gym鈥攁s a regular activity done for wellness and mental wellbeing. Saunas are often quiet, decked out with wooden decor, and are placed in scenic spots so that you almost meditate whilst in there. Winter Island (or Green Island as it鈥檚 called in spring) is my favourite place in Copenhagen to sauna. It鈥檚 around $2530 for an hour-long session, the saunas fit 8 people and sit right on the water in the main canals. All in all, it鈥檚 truly relaxing. For an extra tip, the Danish way is four 15minute saunas broken up by a 5-minute break to stand back in the crisp Copenhagen air or, if you鈥檙e feeling brave, to plunge into the frigid waters just outside. This leads me to recommendation number 2鈥
Cold Plunge
鈥he cold plunge. People who swim all year round in Denmark are called 鈥榲ikings鈥, and for good reason too. In the peak of winter, water temperatures are in the single digits and air temperatures aren鈥檛 much better. I can鈥檛 say I鈥檇 recommend diving into the water when it鈥檚 snowing in Copenhagen, but it鈥檚 still a must do. Whether it鈥檚 a quick dive off the jetty at La Banchina, a duck down the ladder after a sauna at Winter Island, or a dip at the scenic pools of Nordhavn, a swim (this is a loose term, it鈥檚 more of a plunge) in Copenhagen is a must do. The water is crisp and the rush of dopamine that a winter dip gives is amazing. Make sure to bring dry clothes and rug up right after you get out!
Run & Bun
Much like Australians, the Danes have recently succumbed to the run club phase. This is made even more impressive by the fact that in wintery Denmark the sun has barely risen at 8am so these runs are often lit by, well, nothing. But they鈥檙e pretty great. The run clubs in Copenhagen are sponsored by the classic names we all know (think Nike, Adidas etc etc) but also smaller local Copenhagen brands. My favourite run clubs are Bareen, Saysky, and Exercere (Exercere runs outdoor workout classes over running but the principle is still the same). The runs range from 5-7kms and end with a (free!!!) BMO. Now, what is a BMO you ask? BMO stands for bolle med ost, meaning 鈥渁 bread bun with cheese鈥. To call it a cheese sandwich would be unfair, they鈥檙e unreal鈥攖hink crispy sourdough bun with thinly sliced cheese鈥攁nd there鈥檚 nothing better to finish a run with. Everyone at the run clubs are lovely and social so it鈥檚 a great way to meet some Danes, get some exercise in, and try a delicious Danish food. Remember though, run clubs are often limited in numbers so be sure to follow the brands on Instagram so you don鈥檛 miss out!
Frederiksberg Park
Frederiksberg Park is one of those beautiful gardens in the middle of a city that don鈥檛 quite feel real. It鈥檚 incredibly scenic and quiet and it鈥檚 one of the nicest places to relax, have a picnic and, most importantly, see baby elephants!! The Copenhagen Zoo backs onto a section of the park so at the right time of day, you can see baby elephants frolicking in their enclosure. But, anyway, the park is special on its own. You can grab some cheese and crackers, strawberries and other bits and bobs, settle down with some friends and watch the sunset streak across the Copenhagen sky. It鈥檚 simple, but lovely.
Road Trip
It might seem a bit odd that in my Copenhagen recommendations I suggest leaving, but seeing other parts of Denmark outside the city is a must-do. Some friends and I went to Bornholm for a week toward the end of my exchange and whilst it took a little while to get to (including a 21km bike ride because we had too many bikes to fit on a bus) it was one of my favourite trips I鈥檝e ever done. Bornholm was quiet, with beautiful expanses of glaringly yellow canola flowers, rocky beaches, and the sweetest panelled traditional Danish houses. We spent the week cooking, jumping of the nearby jetty, hiking, playing lots of cards and exploring nearby towns. I couldn鈥檛 recommend it enough. Safe to say, whilst you鈥檙e surrounded by incredible European countries, don鈥檛 overlook the beautiful smaller cities in Denmark.