Summertime in Copenhagen

Copenhagen definitely has a split personality....it is a completely different city in the summer as opposed to the winter due to the long summer days (in July the sun doesn't set until 10:30/11:00) contrasting with the dark, rainy winter days (with only about 8 hours sunlight...though one almost never sees the sun through the clouds). Therefore, there is a completely different vibe in the summer with people out happily enjoying the fantastic, humidity-free days with temperatures in the 70s. We get a couple good weeks in the 80s as well!

Some of my favorite summertime activities have been:

THE BEACH
At least once a week...usually more, I head to one of the cities many beaches either to run or meet friends for volleyball, frisbee, and swimming. My favorite beaches are Bellevue in Klampenborg -a great 30 min bike ride north, along the water, from my apartment- and Amagerstrand Beach - about a 25 min ride through the city.

Julia, Cecelia, Jan and I are usually brave enough to venture into the Øresund Straight which connect the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Many afternoons and evenings are spent playing beach volleyball at Bellevue.

Amager beach has a great path to run on along the beach, so I head there after work whenever I can motivate myself. It also has a great view of the offshore windmills.

One day there was a circus in town and they had the elephants out in the park next to the beach. Sure, the rope they had places around the elephants was electrified, but honestly I don't think that rope could have kept any elephant from charging if he/she had really wanted to!

THE LAKES

Copenhagen has 5 artificial, rectangular lakes that cut through the middle of the city. Apparently they used to be used as a water reserve, but now they are an excellent place for a run, a walk, to relax on a bench and read near, and to sit at one of the many cafes along the edges and enjoy the view.

SUMMER FILMS

Zulu Sommerbio takes place during August and there are free movies shown at night all over the city. Some are Danish, but many are Hollywood blockbusters like Casino Royal, The Departed, The Devil Wears Prada, etc. It's been great to meet up with friends for dinner and then head over to a park for an evening movie.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

Copenhagen Jazz Festival is held for 2 weeks in early July and jazz musicians can be found all over the city's many squares as well as in the concert venues.