All the Best Things to Do in Copenhagen’s Northern Suburbs

Modernist villas dotted alongside a scenic coastal road, residents in bathrobes en route to their morning dip by the pier, and Arne Jacobsen’s legacy: the well-manicured suburbs in the north of Copenhagen attract with a blend of natural beauty, architectural highlights, and a refined coastal lifestyle just a stone’s throw from Copenhagen’s city center via bus or the S-train.

Named after the road Strandvejen that leads from the city up north along the Øresund coast weaving through the small towns of Hellerup, Charlottenlund, Klampenborg, Skovshoved, Tårbæk, Vedbæk, and Rungsted, and edging into Hørsholm and Humlebæk, “Strandvejen” functions as a catch-all phrase for some of the country’s most picturesque and most posh suburbs.

Whether you’re on the lookout for a calmer alternative to the classic city break, want to enrich your Copenhagen experience by venturing beyond the inner city neighborhoods, or are simply a die-hard Arne Jacobsen aficionado, you should have this neighborhood on your radar.

Here’s what to do when you visit the “Strandvejen” area, the suburbs north of Copenhagen:

Swim at Bellevue Beach

The French Riviera meets Denmark at this elegant seaside resort in Klampenborg. Stretch out in the white sand before diving into the (admittedly cold) Øresund, surrounded by Arne Jacobsen’s works. In the 1930s, he was commissioned to design not just the beach itself but a cohesive seaside resort including lifeguard towers, changing cabins, fencing, and kiosks, but also the Bellavista apartment complex across the street and Bellevue Theater just a few steps down the road.

Wander at Dyrehaven

The royal hunting grounds Dyrehaven stretch from Klampenborg along the coast and include the Hermitage Palace (Eremitageslottet), a small hunting lodge perched on a hill with panoramic views of the park that’s still used occasionally by the Danish royal family for ceremonial events.

Established in the 17th century by King Christian V, it remains home to over 2,000 free-roaming deer and has been recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique grid-like layout used for par force hunting (a type of royal deer chase). Today, it’s one of the country’s most beloved natural retreats where locals and visitors go for long walks and picnics, horseback riding or to take one of the many horse carriages that clatter through the park.

Experience art at Ordrupgaard and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Blending architecture, well-curated exhibitions, and a scenic location to a respective Gesamtkunstwerk, Ordrupgaard and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art make sure you get your dose of culture. Nestled into a forest close to Dyrehaven, Ordrupgaard consists of several different buildings including the historic Lavender House and a modern extension by Zaha Hadid and Snøhetta, and is widely regarded for its large collection of French and Danish pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries.

A bit further up Strandvejen and overlooking the coastline, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a testament to Danish modernism.

The museum is housed in a 19th-century villa integrated with three modernist pavilions via glass corridors, blurring the lines between inside and outside. It has one of Scandinavia’s most significant collections of modern and contemporary art, featuring over 4,000 works by renowned artists from the 20th century to the present day.

Get up close with Danish design at Finn Juhl’s House

Step into the world of Finn Juhl, the visionary Danish architect and designer who helped shape the Danish Modern movement. Renowned as the first Danish designer to earn international acclaim, especially in the US, Juhl embraced a more organic, human-centered approach that stood in contrast to the strict functionalism of many of his peers.

Explore his design philosophy and some of his most iconic furniture pieces in his former home, now part of Ordrupgaard.

Admire Skovshoved Petrol Station

Designed in 1936 by Arne Jacobsen, Skovshoved Petrol Station is more than a roadside stop, it’s a modernist design icon. Originally commissioned by Texaco, the station features Jacobsen’s signature minimalist style and his innovative use of form and materials, most apparent in the mushroom-shaped “umbrella” canopy that gives the petrol station a surprisingly elegant expression, making it a landmark in its own right.

Have breakfast at Atelier September

Located in a sunny corner building, the Hellerup outpost of Frederik Bille Brahe’s iconic Atelier September is a popular hangout spot for locals. Take a seat on the terrace and indulge in the signature whipped butter, avocado mad (avocado on rye bread), baked sweet treats, and more. Feel like treating yourself? Wash your coffee down with a glass of chilled natural wine.

Want more places for brunch in Copenhagen? Take a peek at our favorite spots.

Have smørrebrød at Sankt Peder

Get your fill of traditional Danish smørrebrød at Sankt Peder in Hellerup. Family-run since 1972, the restaurant still boasts the original interior designed by the two leading architects behind Copenhagen’s Tivoli, Simon Henningsen and Erik Christensen.

Now run in the second generation by son Martin Dam, the local favorite dishes out a broad range of smørrebrød for lunch and dinner.

Shop at ELLEVETOTRE and Leah Maria

With her multibrand boutique duo Leah Maria and ELLEVETOTRE, Vicky Maria Fogel brings high-end fashion to Charlottenlund. While Leah Maria is named after Vicky’s daughter, ELLEVETOTRE refers to the birthdate of her son Sylvester Fogel who’s now co-running the menswear arm ELLEVETOTRE with his mother.

Both offer a curated selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and lifestyle objects from international brands such as Lemaire and Dries Van Noten to Copenhagen favorite Tekla.

Stay at Park Lane Copenhagen

Just a block away from the coastline and housed in a historic 1920s theater building, Park Lane Copenhagen is the ideal base to combine the sophisticated charm of Strandvejen with easy access to Copenhagen’s city center. The high-ceilinged rooms draw inspiration from Øregårdspark with soft creams and earthy browns while mirroring the elegant cosiness of Danish apartments with decorative white wood paneling, large windows, and accents in brass. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Park Lane offers 67 rooms, two private apartments, and three dining experiences including Yves at Park Lane, led by Michelin-starred chef Yves Le Lay.

Spa at Kurhotel Skodsborg

Unwind with sea views at Kurhotel Skodsborg: from sauna to sea dips to fitness to culinary experiences, the hotel focuses on all things wellbeing, there’s even a sleep retreat. Built on Dr. Carl Ottesen’s vision of a healthy lifestyle fueled by light, air, water, movement, rest, and diet, this retreat aims at helping you achieve better sleep and just won a Danish Beauty Award. It was Ottesen who in 1898, had founded Skodsborg Badesanatorium in the countryhouse previously owned by King Frederik VII and that would later house Kurhotel Skodsborg. Today, the spa hotel that’s surrounded by lush forests while overlooking the Øresund offers 16 unique experiences, including saunas, steam bath, salt cave, outdoor jacuzzi, and a 21m pool.