Things to Do While Studying in Copenhagen

There’s so much to see and do in Copenhagen that you’d be forgiven for never leaving the city during your studies. But there’s so much more Denmark to explore – try a day trip to Dyrehaven (the deer park), a UNESCO world heritage site with over 2,000 free-ranging deer or try camping near the beautiful coastal walk of Møns Klint. 

Image credit: Kieran Lynam, Flickr

Christiana is an independent community in an abandoned military barracks in Copenhagen. It’s a mishmash of art galleries, music venues, workshops, bars, cafes and restaurants. It is also probably best known for its many stalls selling cannabis, which is illegal elsewhere in Denmark. Try an alternative tour of Christiana to learn about the history and future of the community for around €20 to really make the most of your visit.

One of the most famous attractions in Denmark, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park and pleasure gardens is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world. It’s only open in summer and at Christmas and Halloween, so pick your time to visit carefully. Their Friday night concerts are a particularly special way to spend a summer evening. Or have a ride on the wooden rollercoaster, Rutschebanen, built in 1914 – if you’re brave enough… 

Go to the Roskilde Festival in late June, the largest music festival in northern Europe. The four-day festival, located 30km out of Copenhagen, has a diverse range of acts to suit all music tastes – recent festival line-ups have included The Cure, Cardi B, The Weeknd, Arcade Fire, Robyn, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Kendrick Lamar (amongst many, many others).

Water is central to city life in Copenhagen, with both the coast and canals right on your doorstep. You can take a trip on one of the larger canal tours, or, even more fun, get a group together and captain your own boat for the day! In summer, you can swim in the waters of the city – the harbor baths in Islands Brygge are the perfect place to cool off.

Superkilen is a diverse public park commissioned in 2008 in the Nørrebro neighbourhood, designed to bring refugees and locals together. The park aims to promote tolerance, representing more than 60 nationalities with installations and facilities including an outdoor Thai boxing ring, swing benches from Baghdad and a fountain from Morocco. The park is divided into three key areas: The Green Park for sunbathing and picnics, the Black Market for games like chess and backgammon and the Red Square for sports and cultural activities. 

Image credit: kallerna, Wikimedia Commons

Whilst Carlsberg and Tuborg are undoubtedly the most famous beers associated with Copenhagen, there are plenty of microbreweries providing the perfect pint, such as Hancock, Mikkeller or Nørrebro Bryghus. As a student, you’ll probably have no trouble sampling the local offerings, but if you want a more (ahem) educational experience, there are plenty of craft beer tours of the city available.