Copenhagen – especially in the summer – is a wonderful place to be outdoors. It is one of those cities that is built around green spaces, where greenery is the priority, not blocks of apartments and industrial buildings.
All parks are accessible and great for running and walking around, although in most you cannot cycle your bike.
Frederiksberg is part of CPH, just 10 minutes cycle from the centre of town. Frederiksberg Have (“garden”) is one of the largest and prettiest parks in CPH. It is split into various sections with beautifully manicured gardens, with swans, geese, ducks, little gazebos, lakes, rose gardens, a maze and rowing boats for hire (in the summer months); and in the centre of it all is a the lovely yellow brick Frederiksberg Slot (“castle”). Next door is CPH Zoo and if you walk or run around the edge of the park, you can access a free outdoor viewing platform to watch the elephants.
Transport – Frederiksberg St metro
2. Søndermarken
On the south side of Frediksberg Castle is Søndermarken – a woodland area interspersed with pathways and rest areas. Here you can find Denmark’s first and only interactive running route, consisting of a system of lights to keep up runners’ self-imposed pace. The route takes you by four activity spots that set the stage for creative motion and interactive circuit training. And best of all, it’s free – unusual for Denmark!
Transport – Valby St S-Tog
3. Kongens Have 
Kongens Have (“King’s Garden”) is situated smack-bang in the middle of CPH, a couple of minutes walk from the botanical gardens or Kongens Nytorv. The gardens form the backdrop for the stunning Rosenborg (“Rose Castle”) – which was built in the 17th century as the private gardens of King Christian IV. The park also contains several other historical buildings, including Rosenborg Barracks, home to the Royal Guards, as well as a high number of statues and monuments. The park also plays host to temporary art exhibitions and other events such as concerts throughout the summer.
Transport – either Norreport or Kongens Nytorv metro stations
Kalvebod Fælled (“Kalvebod Commons”) is a huge expanse of land in SW Copenhagen, on the island of Amager near the airport. Whilst technically not a park per se, it is still a lovely expanse of the great outdoors on the edge of the city. It was build from reclaimed sea bed, with a number of former islets making up small isolated hills. A large area in the southwestern corner is set aside under the Natura 2000-scheme as an EU-recognised bird protection area, with wetlands and small viewing huts where you can watch the wildlife. Like everywhere else in Denmark, the area is pretty much flat and there is a cycle path going for miles along the edge of the coast – a lovely cycle ride.
Transport – Ørestad St S-Tog
Saving the best until last. The Romantic Garden (official name “Landbohøjskolens Have”) is a small, walled park that belongs to the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University. It is open to the public but not obviously sign-posted or noted in guidebooks. When I discovered the garden in the middle of the cold Danish winter, it felt like stepping into Frances Hodgson Burnett‘s “The Secret Garden” – there was not a soul around and it was eerily quiet. There is a small pond in the middle surrounded by age-old trees (which coincidentally, are great for climbing) and pretty flowers. This little gem of a park is across the road from my apartment, so without a garden of my own, this often feels like my own private slice of wilderness.
Transport – Frederiksberg St metro
> Where is your favourite park in Copenhagen?
POLLY TRAVELS THE WORLD 