This is my summer love letter to Copenhagen—a season of golden evenings, sparkling canals, and the kind of hygge you’ll want to take home. (Images by Annabelle Christie)
Dearest Copenhagen,
You’ve been my sunshine on cloudy days. Memories of our summer together stay with me—like the time I got sunburnt in the Scandinavian sun (yes, it’s possible!). I adore your historic buildings, your cosy cafes, and your impossibly stylish people. I feel lucky to have known you, and I’ll always come back for you.
But until then, dear reader, let me introduce you.
Now, it’s your turn to fall in love with the Scandinavian capital. Forget the stereotypes of endless grey and wind-chilled days—when the sun comes out, Copenhagen glows. The mood shifts: people spill onto streets, parks, and docks with a beer in hand, no rush to be anywhere.
I first arrived here for a university exchange, just like my mum had years earlier. Through her Danish best friend—now my own second family—I was shown the city’s most treasured summer spots. Some I stumbled upon; others were lovingly shared. I want you to have them too—the places where Copenhagen is most generous, most alive.
Nyhavn
You can’t come to Copenhagen in summer and skip Nyhavn. It’s as much a part of the city as bicycles and cinnamon buns. Sure, it’s touristy, but it’s also one of the most beautiful streets you’ll ever see: colourful buildings lined up like postcards, old wooden boats bobbing in the canal, and the unmistakable buzz of people happy to be exactly where they are.
Here’s my insider tip: skip the pricey canal-side restaurants. Instead, do what locals (and budget-savvy visitors) do—pop into a nearby 7-Eleven, grab a cold Carlsberg, and perch along the opposite side of the canal. From there, you’ll have the perfect view for people-watching, and the colourful backdrop never loses its charm. This is where Copenhagen will first steal your heart—slowly and quietly, over the course of a sunny afternoon.
Reffen
If Copenhagen had a summer playground for foodies, it would be Reffen: a sprawling outdoor street-food market right by the water, filled with smells from every corner of the world—from Thai curries, Greek gyros, to Mexican tacos.
Come in the late afternoon and stay for dinner. You’ll share long tables with strangers-turned-friends, surrounded by uniquely decorated stalls and flickering fairy lights overhead. The real magic, though? Sunset with a cocktail in hand, when the sky turns golden over the harbour as music drifts through the air.
Getting here takes a little planning—the metro won’t drop you at the door. From Central Station (between it and Tivoli Gardens), hop on bus 2A, get off at Refshaleøen, and follow the crowd—and your nose.
Address: Refshalevej 167, 1432 København, Denmark
Business hours (during summer months):
Food stalls
Monday to Sunday, 11:30am–9:30pm
Bars
Monday to Thursday, 11am–11pm
Friday to Saturday, 11am–1am
Sunday, 11am–11pm
Islands Brygge
Copenhagen in summer feels like the whole city is an open-air living room. Islands Brygge is one of the sunniest corners, with a stretch of grassy waterfront where locals picnic, swim, and sunbathe.
On a budget? This is your spot. Swing by the supermarket, pick up some fresh produce, then sprawl out on the grass with your feast. You’ll find yourself watching swimmers leap straight into the harbour. And yes, you can join them! Copenhagen’s harbour is one of the cleanest in the world, so you can swim right in the city centre.
La Banchina
If Reffen is Copenhagen’s lively party, La Banchina is her lazy Sunday. This tiny cafe and wine bar sits right on the harbour with a wooden deck that begs you to stay all afternoon.
Order a glass of natural wine or freshly brewed coffee, watch locals swim, then jump in yourself. It’s refreshing, but there’s nothing more invigorating on a hot day. Afterwards, stretch out on the sun-warmed deck, a book in hand, and let time slip by—with a good view and great vibes.
Address: Refshalevej 141, 1432 København, Denmark
Business hours (during summer months): Every day, 8am–10pm
Christianshavn Boat Rental & Cafe
Looking for a cute lunch moment? This is it—especially for an inviting solo date!
This cafe literally floats on the waters of Christianhavn’s canals, giving you front-row seats to one of Copenhagen’s prettiest neighbourhoods. Order a cold Carlsberg and one of Denmark’s specialties: smørrebrød, the famous open-faced sandwich. My vegetarian pick? Potatoes on rye bread with parsley mayo, pickled shallots, and chips. Once you’re settled, sit back, let the sun warm your face, and watch the boats glide by beside you.
Address: Overgaden Neden Vandet 29, 1400 Indre By, Denmark
Business hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am–12am; Sunday, 11am–10pm
Rosenborg Castle
One summer evening, my Danish family invited me to dinner—in the gardens of a castle! Yes, an actual castle. As the sky stayed bright well past 9pm, we spread out blankets on the grass, unpacked our picnic, and watched the golden light spill over Rosenborg’s towers.
This is what locals do when the days are long, and you can do the same. Pick up some fresh bread, cheese, or salad, and maybe a bottle of wine, then claim a spot on the lawn. Simply enjoy the view from the gardens—a setting straight out of a fairytale. Only in Copenhagen can “dinner by a castle” be such a casual summer pastime.
Rent a picnic boat
Feeling adventurous? You can rent a solar-powered picnic boat—no license needed. Bring snacks, drinks, and a few friends (new and old) to share the ride. If you’re travelling solo, pop a message in your HostelWorld group chat. You’d be surprised how quickly a crew forms when there’s a promise of sunshine and snacks on the water.
Fair warning: not all of us are natural-born sailors. Let’s just say I learned that steering in a straight line is harder than it looks. But it’s half the fun—laughter, some zig-zagging, and an occasional “oopsies” going under a bridge. By the time you return the boat, you’ll have seen Copenhagen from a whole new angle, and maybe made friends for the evening ahead.
FriendShips Boat Rental
Address: Trangravsvej 1, 1436 Indre By, Denmark
Business hours: Every day, 9:30am till sunset
Broens Gadekøkken
Just across the bridge from Nyhavn, you’ll find Broens Gadekøkken—a smaller, equally funky street-food market with waterfront views. It’s perfect for a quick, affordable bite (well, for Copenhagen) without compromising atmosphere.
Grab a gyros (my personal go-to) and find a seat in the sun, watch the water, and enjoy one of those “I could stay here forever” afternoons.
Address: Strandgade 95, 1401 København, Denmark
Business hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am–10pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am–11pm
Tivoli Gardens
If Copenhagen has a beating heart, it’s Tivoli Gardens. This historic amusement park has been enchanting visitors since 1843.
Be mindful: Tivoli isn’t open year-round. When it’s closed, the grounds are transformed for the next season—think cosy Christmas wonderland and spooky Halloween. In summer, the season usually runs from April to September (check dates before visiting).
During the summer months, spend the day wandering among colourful flowerbeds, riding vintage rollercoasters, and sampling delicious treats. As evening falls, the lights glow, and you’ll wonder why all cities don’t have a Tivoli of their own.
Address: Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 København V, Denmark
Business hours (during summer months): Sunday to Thursday, 11am–10pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am–12am
Copenhagen in the summer is a city in full bloom—long evenings and no shortage of ways to enjoy them. These are the places that made me fall for Copenhagen—the picnics by castles, the golden-hour street food, and the harbourside swims I never wanted to end. I hope they give you a starting point for your own summer here, but also the freedom to wander, to follow the sounds and smells from a side street, or to linger in the sun a little longer than planned. The best memories often come from moments you didn’t schedule.
If you let it, Copenhagen will wrap you up in its hygge—that cosy, content feeling the Danes have perfected—and you might just find yourself falling for the city too. So, pack your snacks (and maybe a Carlsberg), claim a sunny spot, and let the city work its quiet magic on you.
You’ve stolen a piece of my heart, Copenhagen.
Until we meet again x
All images are provided by Annabelle Christie unless stated otherwise.
