A few years ago a business trip took me to Copenhagen for the first time, and I discovered what a great place it is for running. The city has a safe reputation, gorgeous historic and modern architecture, cute neighborhoods with cafes and canals, guarded palaces, grand churches, and a view of Sweden across the Straight of Øresund. You just have to take care on the cobblestones and watch for bikes at every intersection–no jaywalking! As I made plans for a return trip last week, I was looking forward to a week of running in Copenhagen.
Running In Copenhagen: Day 1
It was really hard to get out of bed my first morning in Copenhagen. Although I technically had gotten plenty of sleep, it took all week to make up for the 2 hours and 40 minutes of “sleep” I managed on the plane the night before. I knew getting out for a run would be the best way to adjust to the time zone, but it still took a few SNOOZEs before I could drag my body out of bed. After all that, I only had time for a short run, but it was worth it.
I decided to start with familiar territory, and ran from my hotel around one of the lakes. When I got back to my hotel and saw ~2.5 miles on my Garmin, I kept going and ran “around the block” to hit 3 miles.
St. George’s Lake
It was a brisk morning–I wore my thickest top–but the blue skies and sunshine were energizing. Although I had cut it close, I had just enough time to shower and meet my colleague at breakfast before we had to head out to our first meeting.
Running In Copenhagen: Day 2
I was surprised that it wasn’t any easier to get out of bed on my second morning in Copenhagen. I guess jet lag is real! I also may have let myself SNOOZE a few times because our first meeting started a bit later, so I felt like I had plenty of time for my run.
I started out in the same direction as my first run, and planned to run by all the lakes and then try to find the Kastellet and Little Mermaid statue. None of the roads in Copenhagen are straight, and most take sharp turns or end somewhere between point A and point B, so getting “lost” was a real possibility. I may or may not have intended to run that loop around Amalienborg palace.
She’s really quite small!
I only made one wrong turn on my way to the Little Mermaid, and was the only tourist around taking pictures. Although she is right by an entrance to the Kastellet, I wasn’t sure I had enough time to complete that loop, so I opted to save that for my next run.
One of the buildings at Amalienborg.
Note the guards on the left–I was too shy to take a closer picture.
I tried to find Nyhavn on the way back to my hotel, but was off by a few blocks. That taught me to study the map better and consult it en route so I wouldn’t get lost turned around again. This run ended up at about 6.25 miles and I was late for breakfast–but not my meeting!
Running In Copenhagen: Day 3
I had a really rough time sleeping my third night in Copenhagen, so once again it was a struggle to get out of bed. I was looking forward to running around the Kastellet and finding Nyhavn, though, so I made myself get up and head out the door.
The Kastellet is so cool! It’s a star-shaped fortress surrounded by a double ring of moats. There are two entrances over bridges, barracks and other buildings in the middle, and a path along the top. It seems to be mostly a tourist site now, but I did see people in uniform arriving to work there.
Despite the military purpose, the setting is quite park-like.
There’s even an old windmill near one corner.
This church is across the moat from the Kastellet.
And this church–St. Alban’s–is near one of the entrances.
I enjoyed my run around the Kastellet–it’s about a 1 mile loop–
and then consulted Google Maps to find Nyhavn on my way back.
For some reason my Garmin would not upload the data from this run. 🙁 I really wanted to see the star shape of the Kastellet path on the map, so I decided to repeat the same route for my fourth–and last– run in Copenhagen and hope my Garmin cooperated.
Running In Copenhagen: Day 4
On my last morning in Copenhagen, I finally was ready to get up with my first alarm. I was on a mission to map that star!
Doesn’t it look cool!
I also took more pictures in Nyhavn.
It’s only a few blocks long, but it is so pretty!
I don’t usually run so many days in a row, but how could I go to the hotel gym knowing these sights were just outside the door? Plus, these runs were at an easy, touristy pace with lots of photo stops.
[Tweet “A week of #Running in #Copenhagen #runchat #travel #Europe”]
It probably will be a few years before I get back to Copenhagen again, but if you have a chance to visit make sure you bring your running shoes–and lookout for bikes before crossing the street!
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap and hopping on a plane to Seoul, where I don’t plan to do any running.
What’s your favorite city to run in?
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So great that you got in your runs while away. Great way to see the area.
It’s a great way to explore as long as you don’t get lost!
Oh my, what amazing pictures!!! I’m a total tourist dork…so I’d be right with you running (and taking pics). So far, my favorite city to run in (while on vacay) has been San Fran….hilly, but so neat. I do love Chicago, though, too.
Oh, I haven’t run in SFO – maybe I’ll get a chance this year. I do love running in Chicago – when it’s not too windy. :-O
Wow I really enjoyed all of your pictures! How cool to run in Copenhagen! I’ve never been there and with three active children, we do not travel much. The beach is close by and we enjoy going there! Thank you for sharing your running adventure!
Thanks. Maybe someday when they are older – we just found out my son will be studying in Germany this summer, so now we know what our summer vacation will be!
Wow! Beautiful sights you got to see along your run.
Thanks so much! It’s such a lovely place!
Awesome pics! I have never been to Copenhagen but it is definitely on my list! Looks like there are plenty of great places to run there!
It’s definitely worth a visit!
I have to be honest, I had to google where Copenhagen was. I knew it wasn’t here but I didn’t know where. I would be just like you, why stay in a hotel gym with all of that right out your door? I love all the pictures you do a great job letting us peek into the sights and such on your runs out of town.
Thanks! I didn’t realize I had so many clients in Copenhagen until I planned my first trip. I thought of them all as being in “Europe” without knowing exactly where. 😉
I’ve never been to Copenhagen but I’d love to visit someday. Glad you got your runs in. I was wondering how you were doing without your Starbucks
Oh, I’ve got a picture I’ve got to share ….
I was in Copenhagen when I was 15, so I don’t remember much about it. But what I do remember is what a beautiful city it is! How great that you got to experience it on foot.
So many great pics! Good for you for getting so many runs in – great way to see the city! Hope your trip to Seoul goes well.
So cool. I loved reading this. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!
When I’m vacationing a new city, I do play the tourist and do a lot of walking. I’ve never run in a foreign city, but the walking allows me to get over the jet lag. I think I got an hour of sleep on the plane, tops, when I went to Italy 10 years ago.
Ugh, that is so rough! When I went to Australia years ago we walked all day to force ourselves to stay awake!
you know me 🙂
when I travel I WALK THAT TOWN.
But after last weekend I may need to amend that to I GALLOWAY THAT TOWN.
It’s so much swifter <3
Hah! It’s a slippery slope you know. Did you get my obnoxious “If you ran … you’d be done by now” text?
What an awesome way to explore the city. I like to run whenever I visit a new city.
We visited Copenhagen for 24 hours on my very first trip to Europe — 20+ years ago! And we actually did get to quite a few of the same places (but not the lakes). Good thing it’s a small country.
We had a layover there on our way back from Greece. I insisted that we spend the night. And it was a great decision. Actually I flew home and my husband went on (because it was actually a business trip for him).
Of course this was a long time before I became a runner!
What a great opportunity! I love running in unfamiliar places. What a wonderful way to explore the sites. I travel about once per month for business, and I too pack my running gear first.
I’ve been to Copenhagen a few times but it’s been awhile…maybe 15 years since I’d last been there. Looks gorgeous as ever. Glad you got out and explored on foot. Running tours are the best!
I will have to live through you on these runs! Copenhagen looks beautiful! I feel that I would do the same thing and run every day! I bet it was nice to sleep in though, haha!
Thanks for sharing the photos from your Copenhagen runs! They really do look like beautiful runs 🙂 I’m impressed that you managed to wake up for runs all of those mornings in spite of the jet lag.
I love running through new cities. Copenhagen looks magical!
Wow! What a beautiful place! So great you were able to get up all those mornings and fight the jet-lag to run! I would have asked a guard to take my selfie – LOL! 🙂
Oh my gosh, how beautiful are these runs! I would love to explore that city while running.
What a great way to see the city!
Looks like a great place to run! Its awesome that you were able to do some much sightseeing on your runs!
Jealous! I have never been to Copehagen, but it looks absolutely stunning! Running is such a great way to see new cities and explore new surroundings. It’s my favorite! Have so much fun on your upcoming trip!
What a beautiful city to explore! Great job on taking advantage of the area while on a work trip! I love to explore new cities on foot- you are right, who wants to be in a stuffy hotel gym?
How awesome that you got to experience this beautiful City! I love running through areas and Cities I haven’t been to!
I am like you, I don’t usually run that many days in a row, but I would have done the same thing and run every day to see all the sites – much more fun than lifting at a hotel gym.
What gorgeous pictures! I only visited Copenhagen once but these pictures make me want to return. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your travels! I never knew how beautiful Copenhagen was!