How to cycle
in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of the world's great cycling cities — but its bike lanes have their own rhythm and rules. Learn them in five minutes, and you'll ride like a local.
Never turn left directly across traffic. To turn left, ride straight through the intersection, stop on the opposite side and wait for the light before continuing in the new direction.
Ride in the marked cycle track, stay to the right side of it, and only move left briefly to overtake.
Glance over your left shoulder before pulling out — cyclists behind you move fast and won't expect a sudden lane change.
Slow down at crossings and bus stops. Always give way to passengers crossing the cycle track when getting on or off a bus.
A white front light and red rear light are required from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poor.
Your Hotel Cykler bike has a bell — give one short ring when needed. It is the polite way to tell someone you are passing.
07:00–09:00 and 15:00–17:00 are busy with commuters. If you are not confident yet, ride outside these hours, especially in the city centre.
Riding with a phone in your hand is illegal in Denmark and carries a DKK 1,000 fine. Your bike has a phone holder on the handlebar — clip your phone in before you set off, and only touch it when you have stopped.
See & do by bike
Copenhagen is compact and flat —
most of these are within a 20-minute ride of the city centre.
Every place opens straight in Google Maps.
Recently viewed
Many Copenhagen museums close on Mondays. Check what is open before you ride out.
See what is open on Mondays →Nyhavn
The postcard canal: 17th-century townhouses in red, yellow and blue, lined with boats and cafés. Best early morning before the crowds arrive.
Open in Google MapsThe Little Mermaid
Denmark's most photographed statue, sitting on the rocks at the harbour edge. Small in person — the ride along the water is the real reward.
Open in Google MapsAmalienborg Palace
Home of the Danish royal family: four matching rococo mansions around an open square. The changing of the guard happens around midday.
Open in Google MapsChristiansborg Palace
Seat of the Danish Parliament and the Royal Reception Rooms, built on the ruins of the city's original 12th-century fortress.
Open in Google MapsChurch of Our Saviour
The black and gold spire with the staircase winding around the outside. You climb 400 steps, and the last stretch is outdoors, narrow, and gets narrower — at the very top only one person fits at a time. The view over the harbour and the old city is the best in Copenhagen. The church below is free to walk into.
Open in Google MapsRosenborg Castle
Christian the Fourth built this as a summer house in 1606 and died in it. It is small for a castle, and that is the charm — room after room of dark panelling, tapestries and oddities collected over four centuries. Down in the basement, behind heavy doors, sit the Danish crown jewels. Tickets are timed and sell out; book before you ride.
Open in Google MapsRundetaarn (Round Tower)
A 17th-century tower with a spiral ramp instead of stairs. Walk to the top for one of the best views over the old city.
Open in Google MapsNational Museum
Denmark's largest cultural history museum, covering everything from the Viking age to modern Danish design. A good stop on a wet day.
Open in Google MapsChristiania
A self-governing, car-free neighbourhood of murals, wooden houses and communal gardens. Photography is restricted in parts — signs show you where.
Open in Google MapsCopenHill
A waste-to-energy plant with a dry ski slope and a hiking trail built onto the roof, plus one of the widest views in the city.
Open in Google MapsNy Carlsberg Glyptotek
Carl Jacobsen of the Carlsberg brewery spent a fortune on art and then gave it to the city. The result is Roman and Greek marble, Egyptian sarcophagi, Rodin and a room of Gauguins. At the centre sits a glass-domed winter garden full of palm trees — one of the calmest rooms in Copenhagen, and free to sit in with a coffee.
Open in Google MapsDesignmuseum Danmark
If you have ever sat in a Danish chair, this is where it came from. An eighteenth-century hospital turned into a museum of chairs, lamps, ceramics and textiles — the whole story of why a small country ended up furnishing much of the world. There is a quiet garden and a café at the back.
Open in Google MapsTivoli Gardens
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, open since 1843. Gardens, rides and fairy-tale lighting after dark, right in the city centre.
Open in Google MapsThe Lakes (Søerne)
Three connected lakes ringed by a flat, scenic path. A favourite loop for an easy evening ride away from traffic.
Open in Google MapsKastellet
One of Copenhagen's best-preserved fortresses. Cycle through the permitted streets, then park your bike and explore the historic ramparts on foot. Great views, green surroundings and a peaceful break from the city.
Open in Google MapsAmager Beach Park
A long man-made beach and lagoon, popular with swimmers and kitesurfers in summer, with open sea views back towards the city.
Open in Google MapsChristianshavn & the Canals
Explore colourful historic streets, canals, houseboats and some of Copenhagen's most atmospheric waterfront areas.
Open in Google MapsFrederiksberg Have
A royal garden laid out in the English style, with canals you can row on in summer and a small palace on the hill. Walk along the northern edge and you can see the elephants through the fence from the zoo next door — free, and a strange thing to come across in a park. Søndermarken lies across the road, with the underground cisterns beneath it.
Open in Google MapsJuno the Bakery
One of Copenhagen's most famous bakeries, known for its freshly baked cardamom buns. Limited seating — perfect to take away and enjoy nearby.
Open in Google MapsHart Bageri
One of Copenhagen's best-known modern bakeries. Famous for sourdough bread, pastries and excellent coffee, with several locations across the city.
Find nearest Hart in Google MapsSankt Peders Bageri
Denmark's oldest working bakery, tucked away in Copenhagen's Latin Quarter. Famous for its Wednesday cinnamon rolls — baked in huge numbers every Wednesday.
Open in Google MapsConditori La Glace
A grand old-world cake shop, unchanged in spirit since 1870. Towering layer cakes, proper hot chocolate and marble tables — the antidote to a cold, wet ride.
Open in Google MapsLille Bakery
A light-filled bakery and canteen on the industrial harbourfront, with long shared tables, savoury bakes and pastries. Pair it with the ride out to Reffen.
Open in Google MapsJægersborggade
A street of ceramics studios, small bakeries, natural wine bars and some of the city's best coffee. Easy to lock the bike and wander.
Open in Google MapsTorvehallerne
Two glass market halls with around 60 stalls — Danish smørrebrød, cheese, coffee and fresh produce, all under one roof.
Open in Google MapsReffen Street Food
A sprawling street-food market on the waterfront built from shipping containers. Casual, lively and best towards sunset.
Open in Google MapsMad & Kaffe
Pick small plates from a long list and build your own brunch board. Very popular, so come early or book a table.
Open in Google MapsSchønnemann
A basement smørrebrød institution serving open rye sandwiches since 1877. Order herring, add a chef's pick, and try the snaps. Booking strongly recommended.
Open in Google MapsMother
Wood-fired sourdough pizza in the Meatpacking District — the easy dinner when you don't want to plan anything. Plenty of bars around it afterwards.
Open in Google MapsBarr
On the harbour in the room that once housed Noma, now serving hearty food rooted in the North Sea and Baltic. The schnitzel is what people come back for.
Open in Google MapsHarry's Place
A 1960s hot dog stand well off the tourist trail. Order the “Børge” like the regulars do, eat standing up, and get back on the bike.
Open in Google MapsNot sure where to start?
Try one of our ready-made routes under the Routes tab.
Pick a route
and ride
Not sure where to go? We've made it easy. Choose a route, open it on your phone and experience Copenhagen the way it should be experienced — by bike.
Copenhagen Essentials
The perfect introduction to Copenhagen. Harbour views, royal palaces, historic streets and some of the city's most famous landmarks — all within an easy ride. Allow extra time if you want to park your bike and explore the sights on foot.
- Nyhavn Maps
- Amalienborg Palace Maps
- The Little Mermaid Maps
- Kastellet Maps
- King's Garden / Rosenborg Maps
- Round Tower Maps
- Christiansborg Palace Maps
- Back to Nyhavn Maps
At Kastellet, cycling is limited to the permitted streets. Park the bike to walk the ramparts.
Open full route in Google MapsHarbour & Mermaid
A relaxed ride combining Copenhagen's harbour, royal quarter and historic Christianshavn. Expect waterfront views, boats, bridges and plenty of places to stop for photos.
- Nyhavn Maps
- Amalienborg Palace Maps
- The Little Mermaid Maps
- Kastellet Maps
- Langelinie Maps
- Inderhavnsbroen Maps
- Christianshavn Maps
- Back to Nyhavn Maps
Inderhavnsbroen is a shared bridge for bikes and pedestrians. Keep to the cycle side and take it slowly.
Open full route in Google MapsCopenhagen Foodie Ride
Come hungry. From traditional Danish baking and modern sourdough to the Meatpacking District and street food by the harbour, this route combines cycling with some seriously good food. You don't have to stop everywhere — pick your favourites and make the route your own.
- Torvehallerne Maps
- Sankt Peders Bageri Maps
- Hart Bageri Maps
- Meatpacking District Maps
- Christianshavn Maps
- Reffen Maps
Hart has several locations. This route uses the Gl. Kongevej bakery — use the card above to find the one nearest you.
Open full route in Google MapsThe Grand Copenhagen Tour
Our big Copenhagen ride. Royal Copenhagen, historic streets, harbour architecture, Christianshavn and modern Copenhagen in one trip. The cycling itself is straightforward — it is the eleven stops that take the time, so set aside the best part of an afternoon.
- Nyhavn Maps
- Amalienborg Palace Maps
- The Little Mermaid Maps
- Kastellet Maps
- King's Garden Maps
- Round Tower Maps
- Christiansborg Palace Maps
- Christianshavn Maps
- CopenHill Maps
- Reffen Maps
- Back to Nyhavn Maps
Our most complete Copenhagen route. Start and finish wherever suits you best.
Open full route in Google MapsCopenhagen Like a Local
Seen the major sights already? Leave the classic tourist trail behind and experience the neighbourhoods where Copenhageners live, eat and hang out. Expect cafés, bakeries, green spaces, independent shops and everyday Copenhagen life.
- The Lakes Maps
- Jægersborggade Maps
- Assistens Cemetery Maps
- Frederiksberg Maps
- Vesterbro Maps
- Meatpacking District Maps
- Sønder Boulevard Maps
- Back to The Lakes Maps
Inside Assistens Cemetery, cycling is only allowed on the marked paths. Follow the signs rather than the map here.
Open full route in Google MapsBeer, Bricks and Backstreets
A straight run west from the city centre into the Copenhagen that was built on work rather than kings. Meat halls, workers' streets, a park that doubles as a reservoir, and at the end of it the brewery that paid for half the art in this city. Mostly flat, with one cobbled climb at the very end.
- City Hall Square Maps
- Meatpacking District Maps
- Sønder Boulevard Maps
- Enghaveparken Maps
- The Elephant Gate Maps
- Home of Carlsberg Maps
- Søndermarken Maps
The last stretch up to the Elephant Gate is cobbled and steeper than it looks. Take it slowly, or get off and push — nobody will judge you.
Open full route in Google MapsSydhavnen — the other harbour
Almost no visitors come here, and that is the point. South-west of the centre the harbour is still a working one: boatyards, allotments, self-built houses and a nature reserve with free-roaming alpacas. You ride under a power station on the way back. Flat the whole way, and mostly on paths away from traffic.
- Cykelslangen (the Bicycle Snake) Maps
- Sluseholmen Maps
- Fiskerihavnen Maps
- The Recycling Centre Maps
- Sydhavnstippen Maps
- Karens Minde Maps
- Energiporten Maps
Longer than the other routes and further out, so allow the extra time. The gravel track at Fiskerihavnen is bumpy — take it slowly or walk that short stretch.
Open full route in Google MapsNeed help
with your bike?
Something went wrong? Don't worry — here's what to do.
Bike problem
Just leave the bike where it is and call us, or send an email with a photo showing where the bike is parked. Do not try to repair it yourself.
Bike stolen
Contact your hotel reception immediately.
Lost key
Contact your hotel reception.
Accident or emergency
Move to a safe place if you can. For serious accidents or emergencies in Denmark:
CALL 112Not an emergency?
Contact your hotel reception first. They can help with repairs, replacements and anything else about your Hotel Cykler bike.
Where did I
park it?
Lock your bike, save the spot with one tap, and find your way back later — even after a long day of walking.
No parking spot saved yet.
Tap the button once you have locked your bike.
Your parking spot is stored only on this phone — Hotel Cykler and your hotel never receive it. To show a street address, your coordinates are sent to our map provider. It disappears when you clear it or clear your browser data.