Staycation in Copenhagen: 6 “secret” places

June 19th, 2017

We probably all know some of the classic attractions in Copenhagen, such as the little mermaid, Amalienborg Palace, and Tivoli. But Copenhagen has a backlist of “secret” attractions that everyone, who wants to experience a new side of the charming capital city, should visit. That’s why Zleep Hotels has created this small guide to an exciting trip to Copenhagen with nature, culture and great food in focus. And no matter which attraction is on your to-do list, you will not be far from a quick rest between the stops at a Zleep Hotel.

Kastrup Sea Baths

From our Zleep Hotel in Kastrup, you are not far from the architect designed Kastrup Sea Baths, which is informally called “the snail”. The nickname is based on the construction’s characteristic sea shell shape that rises from the ocean at the end of a 100 meter long pier. The impressive and award winning architecture is good enough reason to visit Kastrup Sea Baths, but on a hot summer day, you can easily spend hours bathing in the sun and the water while enjoying the view over Øresund. The sea baths consists of bathroom facilities and changing rooms; nearby is both a restaurant and an ice cream shop, ensuring that you can satisfy your appetite between swims. Kastrup Sea Baths offers free entrance and good wheelchair accessibility. In the evenings, the sea baths is lit up beautifully and welcomes everyone to a night swim.

Kastrup Søbad | © Thomas Høyrup Christensen

Østergro

Who would have thought that Denmark’s largest rooftop farm is located in the middle of Copenhagen? It’s hard to image that above Copenhagen rooftops is a 600 sqm large sanctuary in which organic vegetables are grown, chickens are kept, and hives are cared for. Nonetheless, this is exactly what you will find on ØsterGRO (a name that combines the city part, Østerbro, and the Danish word for ‘Grow’). ØsterGRO is located on top of the Nellemann house in Østerbro, Copenhagen’s oldest auction house for vehicles. The roof agriculture was established in 2014 by local entrepreneurs, who wanted to connect country and city life. Here, you and your family can get your hands dirty and follow the development of ingredients from farm to table. The rooftop has guided tours, workshops, and communal meals at longtables. The restaurant, Spiseriet (the Eatery), serves a delicious menu based on seasonal produce, but remember to book your seats early as they are very popular and have limited seatings. You and your family can expect a social evening, full of ‘hygge’ as well as five delicious and healthy dishes with other locals and travelers visiting Spiseriet. After the dinner, you can admire the sunset above Copenhagen’s rooftops, roast marshmallows over a fire, and look for shooting stars – all on top of the three-story tall building, which is located only a few minutes drive from Zleep’s hotel in central Copenhagen.

Østergro | © Anders Hviid-Haglund

The Cisterns

If you and your family are interested in art, you are in luck: Copenhagen is full of exciting museums and art galleries that will surely keep you all busy throughout your stay. If you are looking for a different art experience, we suggest visiting the old water reservoir, the Cisterns, which is hidden underneath Søndermarken (“the Southern Field”), just across from Frederiksberg Castle. The Cisterns were built in the 1850s and were originally built as a solution to Copenhagen’s problems with supplying its citizens with clean water. This was its function up until the 1930s. Fast-forward another 50 years when the Cisterns were emptied of water and became a fascinating room that can best be described as an underground cathedral. This room is now used to exhibit different artists’ work. From 2017 to February 2018, you can experience the Japanese architect Hiroshi Sambuichi’s installation “The Water,” which integrates the rooms’ high humidity and the naturally developed stalactite and plants, and is inspired by Japanese sanctuaries and mythologies about what is going on beneath the surface of the earth. Because the exhibition’s only source of light is daylight, it is necessary to check the daily opening hours on the Cisterns’ website when planning your visit. After your tour through the dim and damp environment, you can process your impressions in Søndermarken’s green surroundings.

Sambuichis udstilling “The Water” i Cisternerne | © Jens Markus Lindhe

Gasoline Grill

Do you want to bite into one of the world’s best burgers? Make a pitstop at Gasoline Grill, located on Borgergade between King’s Garden and Amalienborg Palace. In the modest facilities, which previously housed a gas station, you can have one of the world’s 27 best burgers, according to the American news agency Bloomberg – and, in this context, the Americans must know what they are talking about! Even though Gasoline Grill is frugally designed with few seatings, the flow of guests is large at the popular burger joint, which is why there is often a long queue down the road. That’s why you should probably start your walk towards Borgergade before you get too hungry.

Waterbus to Trekroner Fortress

For several generations, canal tours have been a must on tourists to-do lists while visiting Copenhagen. But there are plenty of alternatives if you need some fresh air, and want to see the city from the seaside. Next to the entrance of Copenhagen’s harbor is the artificially built island, Trekroner, which has functioned as a fortress for more than 300 years. Today, the island and the old fortress is a protected heritage that can be visited during the summer months with a waterbus from Kvæsthusmolen. If you are ready for a challenge and if you have enough arm strength, you can choose to paddle in a kayak or rowboat to the island. On Trekroner, you can take a break from the city’s buzzing environment while enjoying a lunch plate at the café and admiring the spectacular view of Copenhagen. You can also walk through the old, interesting buildings and have a closer look at the exhibition of Trekroner’s story in the casemate building.

Ruby Bar

Have you gotten thirsty after taking in all of these cultural sights? Copenhagen has plenty of bars to choose between. One of the more exclusive ones is located on Nybrogade 10. Here, the cocktailbar Ruby is housed in an old luxury flat. The bar, which is number 34 on the list over the world’s 50 best bars, is hidden away behind an anonymous-looking door, and no signs on the street give a clue that you can taste some of the best cocktails in the city inside. When walking through the door, you are sent several 100 years back in time into rooms of old-fashioned design that facilitated the establishment of The Danish Spirits Company back in the 1800s. All this adds up to a high-quality experience and a hint of secrecy and mystery.

All of the above suggestions to your trip to Copenhagen is only a small selection of the many alternative attractions the city has to offer. If you combine your trip with one of Zleep’s four hotels in Copenhagen, you are guaranteed a great base for you vacation. Here, you can relax in good quality beds and enjoy a satisfying breakfast in our buffet before heading out for new adventures.