If you like beautiful architecture and want to escape the city for a few hours, head north of the city along the coast. Bellevue beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Copenhagen area, on the northern outskirts of the city. The Beach is a sandy beach, approx. 700m long, and feature characteristic blue-striped lifeguard towers and a geometric kiosk, all designed by the Danish architect and furniture designer Arne Jacobsen in the 1930s. The beach is used by everybody – from young families to nudists, they all share the same space (this is Denmark after all).  If you take the coastal road up to the beach you will pass the Skovshoved Petrol Station designed by the same man. The functionalist style Petrol Station built in the early 1930s is still in operation. Whilst the pumps still functions as a petrol station, the building now functions as a cafe. The roof of the station is oval-shaped, hence the nickname ‘The Mushroom’, and is illuminated at night to highlight the beautiful designed building.

Great coffee and breakfast - and a very nice soundsystem.

Swimming pool from the 30's. Decorated with mosaic murals by Vilhelm Lundstrøm

As the summer is my favorite time of the year and that the beach is just 15 min bikeride away, I recommend Amager strand. Full of people usually though, but even so it gives a bit of an exotic touch to such a scandinavian city with the sea and the bright sand in the hot summer days.

Best shawarma in Copenhagen. Open until 5am in weekends