viewpoint
1 Soerne (The Lakes)
The string of lakes curving along the old ramparts - swans, herons, rowers and the city's best morning light.
Easy · 4.3 km · 45 min
The Lakes of CopenhagenA safe cycling route in Copenhagen
The lakes, the great bridge and classic city life - not just a loop round the water.
Sights & culture
Food & drink
Your route, stop by stop
Open route in Google Maps →
Opens in the app if you have it installed, with every stop in ride order.
Everyone cycles round Soerne; far fewer do it properly. This easy loop strings the lakes together with the things that give them life: the food halls at Torvehallerne, bohemian Nansensgade and its wine bars, the human tide crossing Dronning Louises Bro, and the green calm of Assistens Cemetery. Coffee, smorrebrod and bridge-watching, classic Copenhagen at a gentle pace.
Turn by turn
Directions
Street-by-street cues for the whole ride - the numbered stops match the pins on the map.
- Head south 37 m
- Turn right onto the path 24 m
- Turn left onto the path 114 m
- Turn right onto Øster Søgade 1.3 km
- Turn left onto Bartholinsgade 158 m
- Turn right onto Nansensgade 131 m
- Turn left onto Frederiksborggade 204 m
- 1 Torvehallerne 15 m
- Turn left onto Frederiksborggade 22 m
- Turn right onto Rømersgade 21 m
- 2 Selma 21 m
- Turn right onto Frederiksborggade 167 m
- Turn left onto Nansensgade 425 m
- 3 Nansensgade 209 m
- 4 Bibendum Wine Bar 216 m
- Turn left onto Frederiksborggade 353 m
- 5 Dronning Louises Bro 15 m
- Turn left onto Nørrebrogade 602 m
- 6 Andersen & Maillard 29 m
- Turn left onto Kapelvej 153 m
- Turn right onto the path 63 m
- 7 Assistens Cemetery
Along the way
Stops worth making
attraction
2 Torvehallerne
The glass food halls at Israels Plads - 60-odd stalls of coffee, smorrebrod, cheese and fresh produce.
restaurant
3 Selma
Modern smorrebrod and natural wine by Torvehallerne - the open-sandwich tradition done seriously.
sight
4 Nansensgade
A low-key bohemian pocket of wine bars, bistros and old facades between the lakes and the centre.
bar
5 Bibendum Wine Bar
A snug basement wine bar on Nansensgade - small plates and well-chosen bottles.
viewpoint
6 Dronning Louises Bro
The busiest bike bridge in the world at rush hour - grab the railing and watch the flow.
cafe
7 Andersen & Maillard
Roastery and bakery turning out laminated pastries and serious coffee in Norrebro.
Website →
sight
8 Assistens Cemetery
Where H.C. Andersen and Kierkegaard rest - locals use it as a park, and so should you.
The essentials
The 3 rules that keep you safe in Copenhagen
However you got here, start with these. They are the rules visitors get wrong most often, and the ones that carry a fine.
Ride in the bike lane - always
Where there is a cycle track (the raised lane between the pavement and the road), you must use it - riding on the sidewa...
Lights on after dark
From dusk to dawn you must have a white light at the front and a red light at the rear, visible from 300 metres. Steady...
Keep your phone in your pocket
Using a handheld phone while cycling is illegal in Denmark and fined around 1,000 kr. That includes texting at red light...