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Outdoor Spaces

Copenhagen Lakes & Green Spaces: 15 Places Locals Actually Use

By Felipe, Copenhagen local guide Updated 16 min read

I live here and I'm a little obsessed with how this city breathes. Lakes that mirror the sky, quiet lawns for unhurried picnics, wild marshes where birds outnumber people. I'm Felipe, a local guide in Copenhagen, and this is my deeply researched, lived-in ranking of the city's best lakes and green spaces, mapped to Google, with the practical details that make a day outside actually go smoothly.

A calm lake path in Copenhagen lined with trees, part of the city's network of lakes and green spaces
The Lakes form a 3.2 km green corridor through the middle of the city, and the paths around them never really empty out.

1. Why Copenhagen's green spaces feel different

What sets this city's parks apart isn't any single showpiece, it's how densely they're threaded through everyday life. A lake loop doubles as a commute for half the city. A royal garden sits two minutes from a metro stop. A cemetery is also, genuinely, a park where people picnic. Copenhagen doesn't treat green space as an escape from the city, it treats it as part of the city.

Below is my honest ranking, balancing scenery, ease of access, things to do, family-friendliness, and that intangible "ahh, this is Copenhagen" feeling, plus live opening hours, seasonal notes and up-to-date Google ratings where they matter.

The Ranking

2. The 15 best lakes & green spaces in Copenhagen, ranked

Tap a name to open it directly in Google Maps.

🌊 The Lakes & central green pockets

1

The Lakes (Søerne)

Three mirror-still basins curving through the heart of town

Sankt Jørgens Sø, Peblinge Sø and Sortedams Sø stretch 3.2 km north to south, and even locals slow down here. Two small islands in Sortedams Sø, Fiskeøen and Fugleøen, serve as bird breeding grounds, part of why the lakes support 20+ waterfowl species.

  • Hours: Open 24/7, public space
  • Google rating: ~4.7
  • Getting there: Nørreport or Forum metro stations
  • Full loop: ~6.3 km, flat, perfect for a sunrise jog
  • Open The Lakes in Google Maps

Tip: Grab a pastry and coffee, find a lakeside bench, and watch the rowers glide past at golden hour, when the water turns to liquid bronze.

2

King's Garden (Kongens Have)

Formal lawns and postcard views of Rosenborg Castle, right in the centre

Rose beds, formal lawns and Rosenborg Castle rising behind them, all within a five-minute walk of Nørreport. A fairytale playground and summer puppet theatre make this an easy family stop too.

Tip: Picnic on the lawn facing the castle, it's the closest you'll get to feeling royally lazy for free.

3

Ørstedsparken

A pocket of hush in the city centre, with its own lake and bridges

A small lake, arched bridges and a cosy café make this the easiest green pause if you're already in the centre. Kids love the playgrounds; adults love lingering with coffee on the lakeside benches.

Tip: A genuinely underrated five-minute detour if you're walking between Rådhuspladsen and the lakes.

4

Østre Anlæg

Leafy lakeside paths ringed by museums

This lake park sits with SMK (the National Gallery) and the Hirschsprung Collection on its edges, so it's the natural pairing of culture and green space. Swans on the water, a bakery within reach, and quiet benches make it a good rain-plan pivot too.

Tip: Sit by the water with a cinnamon roll and watch the swans play at being royal.

👑 Royal gardens & historic parks

5

Frederiksberg Gardens (Frederiksberg Have)

Romantic bridges, wandering peacocks and meandering canals

Copenhagen's grand green salon, with stroller-friendly paths, swan-watching, and canal rowboats in summer. It borders Copenhagen Zoo and sits right across the road from Søndermarken, so the two combine naturally into one longer outing.

Tip: Pair it with Søndermarken across the road, and the underground Cisternerne art space while you're there.

6

Botanical Garden

13,000+ species and a dreamy Palm House

The outdoor garden itself is free; the Palm House and Butterfly House are ticketed and worth it on a clear day, when the glass genuinely glows. A five-minute walk from Nørreport station.

  • Hours: Garden ~8:30 to sunset daily; Palm House Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (10:00–15:30 in winter), open Mondays in July and August
  • Google rating: ~4.5
  • Getting there: Nørreport station, 3–5 min walk
  • Open Botanical Garden in Google Maps

Tip: Bring a macro lens if you love plant photography, the Palm House catwalks are made for it.

7

Kastellet

A star-shaped 17th-century fortress wrapped in green ramparts

Calm, cinematic, and still an active military site with a working windmill. Walk the ramparts, then continue on to the Little Mermaid and the Gefion Fountain along the waterfront, all covered in our walking routes guide.

  • Hours: Grounds open daytime to evening; ramparts roughly 6:00–20:00, gates may close, check on arrival
  • Google rating: ~4.6
  • Getting there: Østerport station, 7–10 min walk
  • Open Kastellet in Google Maps

Tip: Early mornings mean crowd-free photos at the moat; late afternoon gives the best golden light on the ramparts themselves.

8

Søndermarken

A wooded, gently hilly "forest in the city", moodier than its royal neighbour

Across the road from Frederiksberg Gardens, but quieter and genuinely hillier, the only real incline on this whole list. Don't miss Cisternerne, a contemporary art space set inside a former underground reservoir.

Tip: Do a figure-eight: Søndermarken's trails, a Cisternerne visit, then a slow loop through Frederiksberg Gardens.

9

Assistens Cemetery

A green, respectful sanctuary where locals picnic between the graves

H.C. Andersen and Kierkegaard are both buried here, and locals genuinely read, cycle and picnic through the tree-lined lanes. Keep voices low, no loud music, it's a resting place and a park at once, and that balance is part of what makes it work.

Tip: Pair it with coffee on Jægersborggade first, then let the last stretch through the cemetery unfold slowly.

🦅 Coastal, nature & big parks

10

Amager Strandpark

Copenhagen's beach life, 4.6 km of dunes and lagoon

Sunrise bikes along the promenade, a swim at the lifeguarded zones in season, coffee at the beachfront kiosks. Full swimming and water-sports details are covered in our water activities guide.

Tip: Go for sunrise if you want the promenade to yourself, it fills up fast on warm afternoons.

11

Naturpark Amager

Real wildness a few metro stops from downtown

Reed beds, meadows and big skies across Amager Fælled and Kalvebod Fælled, with the wetlands drawing migratory birds in spring and autumn. Genuinely the most surprising escape on this list.

  • Hours: Open access; Nature Centres have specific hours
  • Google rating: ~4.5
  • Getting there: Metro M1 to Vestamager for Kalvebod Fælled; M1 to DR Byen/Islands Brygge for Amager Fælled
  • Open Naturpark Amager in Google Maps

Tip: Start at Naturcenter Amager for current trail routes and seasonal events, and bring binoculars for the migrating birds.

12

Jægersborg Dyrehave

2,000+ free-roaming deer in a UNESCO-listed hunting landscape

Ancient oaks and genuinely wild deer make this feel like a proper day trip despite being an S-train ride away. Head up to the Hermitage Palace for grand meadow views, and bring a long lens for respectful wildlife shots.

Tip: It's magic at dusk. Combine it with Bellevue Beach nearby, covered in our water activities guide.

13

Fælledparken

Copenhagen's biggest backyard, sports fields and relaxed BBQ vibes

The city's largest park, with the Tower Playground, skate areas and enough space that half the city genuinely does show up on a sunny summer day. Arrive early for shade if you're claiming a spot.

Tip: Go on a weekday if you want space to yourself, weekends get genuinely packed.

14

Valbyparken

Wide open lawns and a beautiful Rose Garden

Space to genuinely exhale, plus concerts and kids' events through summer. A short cycle from Sydhavnen makes this an easy add-on to a harbour-side day.

Tip: Bring a frisbee, and check for summer concert listings before you go.

15

Utterslev Mose

Water, reeds and birdlife that make you forget the city is nearby

An easy 8–10 km loop around the lake marsh, best in the early morning for birdwatching or the evening for pastel skies. The most peaceful, least touristy entry on this whole list.

Tip: Bring a thermos and binoculars, mornings are for birds, evenings for pastel skies.

Want the history along the way? On my private walking tour, I'll narrate Copenhagen's history and hidden corners in person, several of these green spaces sit right along the route.
See the walking tour

Handy Numbers

3. Walking, running and riding: handy distances

For when you want to plan by kilometres, not just vibes.

  • The Lakes full loop: about 6.3 km, flat and scenic
  • Utterslev Mose loop: roughly 8–10 km of easy gravel and paved paths
  • Kastellet + waterfront: 3–5 km including the Little Mermaid and Churchillparken
  • Amager Strandpark promenade: 4–5 km out and back along the beach island

For more self-guided routes threading several of these together, see our Copenhagen walking routes guide, or our bicycle system guide for covering more ground on two wheels.

Plan Your Day

4. My ideal one-day green itinerary

If you only have one day to see the city's green side, here's how I'd spend it.

  • ☀️ Morning: Jog The Lakes, coffee on the water
  • 🌿 Late morning: Botanical Garden + Palm House
  • 🧺 Picnic lunch: King's Garden lawns with castle views
  • 🚲 Afternoon: Cycle to Kastellet and along the waterfront
  • 🏖️ Golden hour: Metro to Amager Strandpark for a toes-in-the-sand sunset

5. Getting around and rain plan

Getting around

Metro M3 Cityringen wraps the centre and touches many parks; M1–M2 reach Amager Strand and Vestamager for Naturpark Amager. Copenhagen is made for cycling, city bikes and rentals are everywhere, see our bicycle system guide. For picnic basics, pick up smørrebrød, pastries and sparkling water at Torvehallerne or a neighbourhood bakery.

Rain plan

Duck into a nearby museum instead: SMK and the Hirschsprung Collection at Østre Anlæg, Cisternerne by Søndermarken, Rosenborg Castle at King's Garden, or Copenhagen Zoo by Frederiksberg Gardens.

Can I swim in any of these?

Not in the Lakes, they carry no-swim notices. For official swimming spots, Amager Strandpark and Copenhagen's harbour baths are the right call, both covered fully in our water activities guide.

FAQ

6. Copenhagen's lakes and green spaces: frequently asked questions

The questions I get asked most often about the city's parks.

No. The three Copenhagen lakes, Sortedams Sø, Peblinge Sø and Sankt Jørgens Sø, are not designated swimming areas and carry no-swim notices. For urban swimming, visit the official harbour baths at Islands Brygge or similar spots, covered in our water activities guide.

Yes, the three Copenhagen lakes are fully public green spaces with no entry fee. The lakeside paths are popular year-round for walking, jogging and cycling, and benches and picnic spots are freely available along all three shores.

The lakes support mute swans, mallards, coots, great crested grebes and cormorants, with tufted ducks and pochards visiting during winter migration. Herons are regularly spotted year-round, and the area is excellent for casual birdwatching, particularly at dawn.

Frederiksberg Gardens is the easiest choice, stroller-friendly paths, wandering peacocks and a playground, right next to Copenhagen Zoo. King's Garden and Ørstedsparken are both good central alternatives with their own playgrounds.

Jægersborg Dyrehave in Klampenborg, a UNESCO-listed hunting landscape with 2,000+ free-roaming deer among ancient oaks. It's a short S-train ride from Klampenborg Station and open year-round.

Most are, including The Lakes, Fælledparken, Valbyparken and Utterslev Mose. King's Garden, Frederiksberg Gardens and Kastellet have seasonal gate hours instead, and the Botanical Garden's Palm House keeps separate ticketed hours.

My Local Take

7. Final word from a local

If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this.

Copenhagen's green life isn't a checklist, it's a rhythm. Start with an easy walk at The Lakes, linger wherever the light feels kind, and let one park lead you to the next, the city genuinely does the rest.

If you only see one, make it The Lakes: it's central, free, and captures the everyday rhythm of the city better than any single landmark park could. Add Frederiksberg Gardens for the royal, family-friendly version, and Jægersborg Dyrehave if you want something that barely feels like Copenhagen at all.

Note: hours, facilities and ratings can change, always tap the Google Maps link in each entry above for the latest info before you go.

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Want a local's stories along the way?

Book a private walking tour with me and I'll narrate Copenhagen's history and hidden corners in person, several of the green spaces above sit right along the route.

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