7 ways to embrace winter in Copenhagen

When snow falls in Copenhagen, the city’s cobbled streets, turreted castles and colourful homes feel like something out of a fairytale, making the colder months the perfect time of year to discover the cosy character of the Danish capital. Take inspiration from the locals and enjoy a cold swim in the harbour, queue up for traditional festive cakes at one of the city’s excellent bakeries or race down the world’s first ski slope built on top of a power plant. It's also a great time to discover Danish culture in the city's impressive museums and galleries, ideal for those looking to keep in the heat. Here are seven experiences not to miss on a winter visit to Copenhagen.

1. Enjoy the ‘great Danish cake-off’

The Danish version of Mardi Gras, Fastelavn, usually falls in February, but will be taking place on 2 March in 2025. To celebrate this annual event, bakeries create a special cream-filled bun called a fastelavnsbolle. These decadent buns are sold from January onwards, and in recent years, the occasion has turned into a wild bun-fest, where gourmet bakers try to outdo each other with the most lavish creations. Go bakery-hopping around the city’s best spots — Juno, Hart and Københavns Bageri are just three to try — and see if you can decide which treat is best. 

2. Dare to try winter swimming

Challenge yourself to swim with the Danes in Copenhagen’s freezing-cold harbour. Although it may take the courage of a Viking to jump in, winter swimming has become hugely popular in the city, and fans of the activity say it helps them fight stress, reduces high blood pressure and builds resilience. At Copenhot, located in up-and-coming Refshaleøen, there are saunas and hot tubs to keep you warm on a cold day, as well as a cold plunge pool to cool off in. Alternatively, visit the city’s newest swanky floating spa, Glæcier, on a Tuesday evening for a saunagus — a guided sauna experience with music and scented oils.

3. Explore the city under the stars

Take advantage of Copenhagen’s long winter nights and go stargazing. The Round Tower hosts special winter stargazing nights in its historic observatory in the heart of the city. Copenhagen also hosts its own Light Festival every February, with neon-lit installations that shine brightly against the pitch-black skies. Experience this colourful event on a guided tour, canal cruise or by taking on The Light Run — a scenic 7km race through Copenhagen’s lit-up streets.

4. Meet the locals for dinner

Copenhagen has a strong culture of communal dining, with many venues featuring long shared tables where you can sit and chat to new friends over a family-style dinner. At the beloved culture house and community centre Absalon, dinner is served at 6pm every night of the week. If you want to stay on afterwards, the centre has a bar, and also hosts silent discos, life drawing classes and ceramics workshops. Nordhus, the city’s newest culture house, serves family-style, veggie-packed communal dinners from Tuesday to Sunday. Or, to the south, Kanalhuset in history-packed Christianshavn is another classic communal dining spot.

5. Try urban skiing and ice skating

Copenhagen is one of the only places in the world where you don’t have to leave the urban centre to hit the slopes. Copenhill, designed by local architect Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is a recreational facility, hiking path and ski spot on top of a waste-to-energy plant. The slope is suitable for first-time skiers as well as experts, and there’s also a freestyle park and slalom course to try. If you prefer skates to skis, ice skating on one of the city’s traditional outdoor rinks is a great way to get active. Rent skates at Kongens Nytorv or Broens Ice Skating Rink and spend an hour gliding around the floodlit ice.

6. Discover Danish culture

Hygge, a Danish concept that embodies a feeling of cosiness and taking time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, is top of mind at Design Museum Danmark this winter, where a new exhibition focuses on ceramic mugs. This exhibit looks at the design process behind ceramics and showcases mugs from an array of inspiring artists. Head to the museum’s beautiful Format café afterwards to enjoy a mug of hot chocolate. Or visit Glyptoteket, the city’s art and sculpture museum, where amid the beautiful marble busts, French impressionist paintings and Egyptian mummies, you’ll find a winter garden complete with palm trees that feels like a mini oasis.

7. Take a literary tour

Copenhagen was the home of legendary fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen and 19th century theologian and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard — so, naturally, the city has plenty of stories to tell. At The Black Diamond library and culture centre, you can visit exhibitions and see historic manuscripts from famous writers. The Karen Blixen Museum, located at the celebrated Danish author’s childhood home in Rungstedlund, just north of the city, allows you to see where she wrote some of her most famous works. Meanwhile, the Copenhagen University Library, dating to 1479, has opened its doors to visitors this winter, letting travellers marvel at the library's grand book hall. The city is also packed with bookshops for more modern tastes, with shops like Thiemers Magasin, Books & Company and Politikens Boghal selling books in English.