Copenhagen:
7 beautiful daytrips along
The Coastal Line
↑ Just a 15 minute train ride from central Copenhagen, enjoy sandy beaches and world-class architecture at Arne Jacobsen’s Bellevue beach.
This guide is created in paid partnership with Visit Copenhagen
Let there be no doubt — I love Copenhagen. Born & raised, it’s my favourite place in the world. However, there is one time a year when I’m really happy to get out; during peak tourist season in July and August.
If you’re also looking to swap the long lines at hyped bakeries and crowded bike lanes for sandy beaches, a coffee in the shade in beautiful gardens, a wander through one of the world’s most beautiful museums, or a day spent in charming coastal villages — read on for everything you need to know about how to easily and quickly get out of town.
The Coastal Line takes you by train from central Copenhagen (hop on at Cph Central Station, Nørreport, Østerport or even take it directly from the airport) along the Øresund coast going north to Helsingør. This direct route is filled with absolutely beautiful sights and below, I’m sharing a curated selection of my favourites ones.
Read on and find all the information you need on how to visit Danish architect Finn Juhl’s private home, spend the day at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art right by the sea, wander through picturesque fishing villages, take a break at cosy cafés with beautiful interiors, and enjoy a serene woodland just minutes away from town on the train line.
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01 —
Finn Juhl’s House at Odrupgaard
Ordrupgaard Museum is quiet sanctuary close to Copenhagen — and a must-visit if you’re into design history and architecture. As part of the Ordrupgaard collection, guests are welcomed inside the private home of architect Finn Juhl just a few meter’s from the museum entrance.
The functionalist home designed by Juhl in 1942 is one of very few houses from Finn Juhl, mostly famed for his work as a furniture designer. Inside, Juhl’s design mix with those of his friends and peers, and walking through this private home feels like gaining access to a personal treasure chest, where modernist architecture, design and art come together to create a pocket in time.
Note that Finn Juhl’s House is open on weekdays for guided tours only, and on weekends for open visits with a museum entrance ticket.
↑ The private home of architect Finn Juhl is open to the public as part of Ordrupgaard Museum just outside of Copenhagen. Here, visitors get an exclusive look into the life and mind of Finn Juhl and wife Hanne Wilhelm Hansen.
Ordrupgaard Museum | Vilvordevej 110
02 —
Bellevue by Arne Jacobsen
Hop off the Coastal Line at Klampenborg Station, and you’ll not only be right by the sea, but also right in the centre of Danish design history — the Bellevue area designed by Arne Jacobsen. Here, the master of functionalism has put his touch on the architecture referred to as ‘Arne Jacobsen’s White City’; Bellevue Theater, Bellevue beach, and Bellavista apartments visible just across the beach.
When you’re done swimming, venture a bit down Strandvejen towards the city, and visit the famous Arne Jacobsen Gas Station for a coffee, ice cream or lunch break.
↑ Arne Jacobsen’s Gas Station, a stroll from Bellevue Beach, was designed as a prototype for Texaco but never put into production. Today, the 1936 building is listed and preserved to look exactly as when first designed. Enjoy lunch, coffee & (tasty!) ice cream here.
Bellevue | Bellevue Strand
Arne Jacobsen Gas Station | Kystvejen 24
03 —
Helsingør Old Town & Patio Café
At the very end of the Coastal Line train tracks (but still, only a little hour from central Copenhagen), get off at Helsingør Station. A perfect day trip from town, Helsingør has cobbled streets and colourful timbered houses, a lively vibe, plenty of local shops, and some great museums and sights for both kids & adults — Kronborg Castle and the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark are both beautiful.
On my visit, I discovered a small café that’s very much become a local favourite for good reason. Tucked away in a charming backyard (look for the signs from the pedestrian street, or you’ll easily miss it), Patio is family-run, beautifully designed, and offers a menu of food, wine, coffee & pastries all served with attention to detail.
↑ Patio is a stylish café in the heart of Helsingør. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee & pastries here, and stroll though the adjacent cobbled streets after your lunch break.
04 —
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
This place.. I don’t even know where to start. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is an absolute favourite of mine, and coming here always feels like a mental vacation to a beautiful, serene place. Some call it one of the most beautiful museums in the world, which is of course a bold statement. I will let you decide — just enjoy this masterpiece of Danish modernist architecture by architects Jørgen Bo & Wilhelm Wohlert. The unpretentious buildings are designed to gracefully fit the stunning surroundings, and there are always interesting exhibitions of modern art — in fact, Louisiana was the very first museum in Denmark focussed solely on this when inaugurated in 1958.
Don’t miss a lunch break with sea views, and carve out time to wander around the garden as well.
↑ Glass corridors, brick facades and wooden details make Louisiana Museum of Modern Art blend discreetly into its surroundings, giving it a reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful museums.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art | Gl. Strandvej 13
05 —
Raadvad Workshops & Karin Carlander
An ode to craftsmanship and tradition, the Raadvad workshops are located inside a collection of industrial buildings in the middle of nature close to Copenhagen. The surroundings are close to a fairytale, and inside the light-filled workshops, Danish artists and makers create pure magic. Every now and then, the workshops open up to the public (keep posted on their website here), and it truly feels like a special place. I was invited in by Danish art weaver and textile designer Karin Carlander for a look at her contemporary design using century-old techniques. The wooden handlooms are masterpieces on their own, and Karin designs functional textile pieces for everyday life with a deeply personal, artistic twist.
↑ Danish textile artist & weaver Karin Carlander designs functional textiles for everyday use — tea towels, napkins, tote bags & place mats. Every single piece is crafted with care using traditional weaving methods and 100% European produced linen, granting Carlander with of the carefully chosen ‘Masters of Linen’ certifications.
Karin Carlander | Raadvad
06 —
Karen Blixen’s Home & Rungstedlund
After a quick walk through the forest from Rungsted Kyst Station on the Coastal Line, you will reach Rungstedlund and Karen Blixen’s home. The world-known Danish author was born here in 1885, and returned after 17 years in Kenya to write many of her most famous works in these surroundings.
Today, the estate is preserved as the Karen Blixen Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into her life through her old study, magnificent living rooms, and bedroom under the roof. Each room is characterised by Blixen’s distict aesthetic, orginal furniture, and artefacts brought home from Africa.
The surroundings are park-like, and include a bird sanctuary established by Blixen herself, as well as her grave beneath a large beech tree.
I went just before Easter break where there were several activities for children going on, including a treasure hunt around the house and games on the lawn outside, so don’t forget to check the programme for special activities before you go.
↑ The private home of Danish author Karen Blixen has been transformed to a museum as part of Rungstedlund. Here, visitors get a unique look into the private rooms of Karen Blixen, preserved as she left them after her death in 1962. Fresh flowers decorated in Blixen’s characteristic style are arranged throughout the house.
Karen Blixen Museum Rungstedlund | Rungsted Strandvej 111
07 —
The Deer Park & Taarbæk Village
Near Klampenborg Station, just a quick walk towards the sea, Taarbæk is a charming coastal village right between Øresund and Dyrehaven, The Deer Park — a +1000 hectar large wild woodland with ancient old oak trees, wildlife and more than 2,000 deer that inhabit the park, especially easily spotted in late Summer and Fall.
Stroll through the paths of charming old cottages, enjoy a lunch or coffee break in the beautiful atrium at Sommer Canteen, the latest outpost of infamous Copenhagen baker Jesper Gøtz, and jump in the sea from the harbour.
For families visiting, the playground at Taarbæk School is open during the weekend and offers fun for the kids with a sea view for the adults.
↑ Sommer Canteen in the coastal village Taarbæk is perfect for a coffee break or lunch in their light-filled atrium. Enjoy a walk through Dyrehaven, or a swim in the sea afterwards.
This guide was created in paid partnership with Visit Copenhagen
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