10 Things to Do in Copenhagen in July

In July, the days in Copenhagen are sunny, cheerful and ideal for a holiday. Because summer is in full swing, it is the perfect month for outdoor activities: cycling around the city, cycling along the promenade, visiting the castles and palaces, strolling along the canals or sunbathing on the beach.

During your holiday in the city you will never get bored. If you want to discover all there is to do in Copenhagen in July, take a look at this article.

Five minutes away from the city centre, hides one of the most popular places in Denmark on Instagram, of course I'm talking about Nyhavn, a waterfront area that is distinguished by the different coloured houses, with a quite particular architecture.

This area can be explored on foot or by bike, but without a doubt the best way to explore it is by taking a cruise, specifically a cruise along the canals of Copenhagen, as the surroundings can be appreciated on another level.

In the surrounding area there are cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy the views as well as the perfect July temperatures.

Useful information

• Price: from 20€.
• Duration of activity: approximately 1 hour.
• Local guide included: yes
• What you will see on the cruise: Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, the Little Mermaid, the Marble Cathedral and the Opera House, among others.

The monarchy is a fundamental part of Danish society, so you can't leave Copenhagen without taking a tour of its main tourist attractions that are open to the public. From palaces and castles to museums and gardens that hold interesting stories, Copenhagen is the place to be.

To save on tourist attractions you can get the Copenhagen Card which guarantees you free entry to various attractions, monuments, activities, restaurants and transport.

Here is a little bit about the best royal sites you should visit.

Fredensborg Palace

Forty-five minutes from Copenhagen is Selandia Island, home to one of the most important palaces in Copenhagen and Denmark. It is Fredensborg Palace, the temporary home of the Queen, which was designed in the Danish baroque style.

The palace is open once a year to the public and its gardens are fascinating greenhouses where you can take memorable photographs. The reason you should visit the palace in July is because during this month they open the private garden, which the rest of the year is reserved for the royal family.

Amalienborg Palace

At noon, when the July sun is at its highest point, the changing of the guard takes place outside Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the kings of Denmark.

During this month the palace is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except on Mondays when it is closed), and if you have a student card you can get discounts.

The most interesting thing is that it's four palaces in one, gathered around the octagonal square.

Appreciate Islamic art in a free museum

If you want to explore Copenhagen's museums, you can visit The David Collection for free. It's the most important corner of Islamic art in Europe and visiting it can be a great way to get out of the sun, but still have fun.

There are other castles, palaces, museums and gardens to enjoy, such as the National Museum of Denmark where you can discover how a real Viking ship worked, enjoy the greenhouses in the botanical gardens or see the baroque palace in the Frederiksberg district.

In July the clear skies offer the best views of Copenhagen and from the Rundetårn lookout you can see the whole city.

This tower was built in the 17th century and during the summer months there are many open-air exhibitions in the Old Library. If you want to climb to the top you have to pay approximately €3.

Once you've finished your visit, you can take advantage of the location and go on a walking tour of Copenhagen.

July can be considered the month of bicycles, as you'll come across many people cycling around Copenhagen, and there are many ways to make the most of the good weather.

If you do and stop at Copenhagen' s lakes, you're likely to see a spectacle of nature. These are the first grey feathers of the Danish baby swans, or baby swans, and you will even see some that are beginning to grow into adults.

In addition, there are cycle paths in every city in Denmark, and Copenhagen is no exception. This is the best way to get to know the areas and sights.

Fruit picking is a seasonal activity that comes to an end in July, so if you want to experience it you should prioritise it for your first few days in the city.

The workers are there from early in the morning until 5 p.m., when the working day ends, and you can help them while you have a good time or simply take a tour to see the process.

Another plan not to be missed is a gastronomic tour of Nordic cuisine, ideal for tasting michelin cheese, organic chocolate and other culinary wonders of Denmark.

In Copenhagen there are plenty of things to do in summer. Unlike months like December, July is a quiet month, but that doesn't stop the Danes from taking advantage of the warm temperatures to make the most of the city's festivals.

Experience the Studenterkørsel festivities

Every country has its own traditions for celebrating graduations, and in Copenhagen and other cities in Denmark, between June and July, they end high school in style with trucks of students drinking beer and dancing.

They make several strategic stops, the first at their parents' house, where they are served a snack. They also bathe in fountains in the city and finally the truck disembarks at an event hall for a big party.

In honour of the end of the school year, there are other events you can attend, which offer beer, live music and shows ideal for soaking up Danish culture.

Attend the Roskilde Festival

July is synonymous with music in Copenhagen, so don't miss the Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, a town thirty minutes from central Copenhagen with a Viking culture where you can also visit the cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum.

At the festival you can enjoy more than 180 bands, food stalls and events alluding to the culture of Denmark.

Tickets range from approximately €40 to €230 and the most expensive tickets include access to all eight days of the festival, camping and transfers. If you pay for the economy version you can stay for a full day, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. the next day. Drinks and meals are extra.

Celebrate the Copenhagen Jazz Festival

The Jazz Festival attracts joy, colour and the streets ring to the rhythm of local artists. This event was first held in 1979 and you'll find a variety of venues around the city with jazz concerts taking centre stage.

The official website announces the locations chosen for each year, which are usually opera houses, restaurants, squares, parks and open-air areas.

Some concerts require a ticket, but the vast majority are completely free. At the festival you will meet people from many different cultures, usually visited by a large number of Swedes, Americans, Germans, British and Norwegians, so you will have the opportunity for a multicultural experience.

For a breath of fresh air, you can head out of the city to Rebild, a Danish town four hours' drive from Copenhagen. Here you can experience a fusion of Danish and American culture. Every 4th of July since 1912, the town shows its gratitude to the United States, as they took in thousands of Danes during the war.

The events take place in Rebild National Park in the heather hills and around it are old buildings such as Tophouse, which functions as a café and restaurant. You can also visit The Western House, the Log Cabin and the Old Stable.

If you don't want to leave Copenhagen, you can also take advantage of the small local celebrations held by former Danish immigrant communities.

In July most people flock to Copenhagen's beaches to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the warm water, as the rest of the year the beaches are too cold. Here are the best beaches to visit!

But be aware that temperatures range from 16°C to 26°C, so bring cool clothes. If you live in a city with a warm climate and you are not used to temperatures below 20°, I recommend you bring some warm clothes.

Amager Strand

Fifteen minutes from the city centre, the most fun is that you can jump off the Kastrup Søbad, a wooden platform where many people gather to jump into the sea.

To spend the afternoon you can walk along the shore, eat in nearby restaurants, buy what you need at the kiosks or join in the games organised by the locals.

This beach is located in the Amager Beach Maritime Park, nearby you can visit the suburb of Kastrup, Fort Kastrupfort, the marinas, the Plyssen Museum and the Public Aquarium of Denmark.

Brondy Strand

Sometimes Amager beach can get very crowded during July, but don't worry! You can still enjoy the sun at Brondy Strand, which is twenty minutes from the centre and is a quieter proposition for families and friends.

This paradise is hidden behind dunes and a park, but from here you can watch the sunset by the sea.

It's also less likely to rain in July, so the sun will keep the beaches warm.

Christmas in July? Hard to believe until you experience it for yourself. This is an event that only takes place in Copenhagen during this fun-filled month. The Danes celebrate the Christmas spirit with the World Father Christmas Congress, where all the Santas, St. Nicks, pixies, elves, Mrs. Claus and other iconic representatives of the holiday come together.

You can see all the Christmas workers in costume and even have your photo taken with them. There are a variety of related events throughout Copenhagen, such as: the parade, the Christmas gala and Santa's Workshop where ideas are shared on how to organise the festive season in December.

Around 23 June, the first bonfires to celebrate the summer solstice are lit in various public spaces, one of the most popular of which is the Midsummer Bonfire.

Later in July it is possible to enjoy bonfires on beaches and in parks to celebrate the warm temperatures. Would you like to experience this?

But beware, they are not very similar to the bonfires that take place in places like Spain on the beach where groups of friends gather around small fires. In this case, the bonfires are usually bigger and the crowds come to see them.