Copenhagen Architecture and Sustainability Tour with local Guide
Description
Everyone who has cycled through Copenhagen once knows that this city loves to blend the New with the Old. But there is more to Copenhagen’s architecture than eye-catching design. Wherever you go, sustainable and humanistic ideas shape the way the city is planned and built – making it one of the greenest and friendliest cities in the world. This tour will take you on a 3 hour bike ride through Copenhagen and introduce you to its architectural evolution and the principles that drive its sustainable city planning. You will be guided by our local guides who give you both an informative and personal account of the city's urban landscape. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of Copenhagen's architectural landscape, and see for yourself how Copenhagen’s urban planning has inspired so many other cities around the world to follow its example.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A mixed use building which was developed with a focus on sustainability, both technically and socially. Most prominent renter is DAC, which shows exhibitions about Copenhagen architecture (know what is on currently).
Offering connections across the harbor for pedestrians and cyclists, Lille Langebro is the newest of a series of new bridges across Copenhagen, which are part of the effort of transforming the historical CPH merchant and navy harbor into a place for people to spend their free time.
When the Harbour Bath (Havnebadet) opened in 2003, it marked a massive change in Copenhagen’s relation to its harbor.
The building is designed to support the personal development of its 400 inhabitants, balancing the individual and the community. Social sustainability by sharing common rooms. The rooms are small and equipped with a washroom. Living rooms, kitchens, and many other common amenities are shared by some or all inhabitants.
The building houses a concert hall with 1800 seats that is home to the Royal Symphony Orchestra, and several smaller stages and recording studios.
Used by the military as a training grounds and shooting range from the 1700s up until the 1950s, it became a garbage dump afterwards, an old tradition on Amager, which Copenhageners like to joke about (lorteøen - shit island). In spite of this history, today Amagerfælled presents as a rare example of relatively untouched nature in Copenhagen, ironically situated to a large part on artificially reclaimed land.
Both bridges (Cykelslangen and Bryggebroen) together were the first of the new harbor crossings that are built exclusively for cyclists.
Enghavepark was built in the late 1920s on the site of former allotment gardens. Laid out in the neoclassical style, it features a bandstand, a playground and fields for various sports. Between 2017 and 2019 it underwent a complete redesign, to play a main role in future control of torrential rains in CPH.
Former church converted to a privately run community center.
The historic meatpacking district Kødbyen was planned by the city in order to create more sanitary and healthier conditions for the meat business in a rapidly growing city. It grew through a series of additions until it reached its impressive present size, showcasing the development of industrial architecture throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Israels Plads with the adjacent Torvehallerne is today a meeting point for CPH foodies. There has been a farmer’s market here since the strict no building policy of the walled city ended in the 1890s until the 1950s. Then the entire area became a huge parking lot.
Ørsteds Park is an early example of reuse: Once part of the city’s defenses outside the walls, the area was transformed into a park after the city wall was demolished, retaining parts of the former moat as a lake inside the park with dramatic hills and crooked paths.
The remaining time of the tour is spent on cycling from one location to another
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The hours specified in the tour are the hours taken on the journey and these are approximate.
- There will be roughly 11 km of biking in between stops on this tour.
Reviews(64)
We (family of 3) took a tour with René. Highly recommend. René was super friendly, super helpful, and super responsive to all of our questions. The tour was entirely in English, which (as with most of our experiences in Copenhagen) we were grateful for (as English speakers). The tour was scheduled for 3 hours and probably took 15 minutes less than that. Most of the emphasis is on architecture; the environmental emphasis is secondary but still substantial. The start and finish of the tour involve navigating thick and sometimes unnerving bike traffic. René gave us all good advice about how to ride and direct our bikes through lights, intersections, and particularly tricky spots. We stopped frequently, so slower or traffic-delayed members of the group always had a chance to catch up. Some advice: • It's okay to be picky/selective about your bike and seat level. They have plenty of bikes. • Get a helmet. It's optional but both useful and reassuring. They have plenty so you should be able to find one that fits. Bonus: when more riders in the group wear helmets, it's easier to spot and stay with the group. • Aim for a tour time that avoids rush hour bike traffic.
Such a fun tour! Loved seeing all the amazing sustainable architecture Copenhagen has to offer. Henrik was such a fun character and made the ride just that much more enjoyable! The tour was easily tailored to everyone’s wants and needs. Would book again!
Jorn gave my daughter and I a spectacular tour of Copenhagen - blending history, design, sustainability and answers to our many questions into an enjoyable three hours. He had a wonderful way of describing things and sharing information about why the city presents in the way it does. It was our first morning in Copenhagen and we are delighted to have this solid understanding of the city to inform the rest of our trip.
Rene was a fantastic guide who showed us the modern architectural highlights of Copenhagen. This tour is perfect for city planning and architecture buffs. And a great way to explore areas we otherwise would have missed.
Our bike need was unique with an 8 year old. So I called Tropical bike directly. I loved how they offered a tandem bike that was suitable for a child instead of putting him in a cargo. Tandem bike was awesome as he could be active and contributing. He was not board and could enjoy the tour while we were learning about the city. I didn’t like the price tag of the tandem though as he was a child and I ended up paying for the full person for him. However our tour guide did such an excellent job that we all are going to remember the positive side. While René was very clear at the beginning that he is not an architect he was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting details about the city planning and many iconic modern landmarks. I particularly liked the route he chose and the side of the city that he shared with us. It included fascinating backgrounds and beautiful architecture. After 3hrs of cycling and seeing many interesting sights, we were eager to hear more about Copenhagen past, present and future, but it was time to be back at the bike shop. I hope they offer longer tours — may be full day.
Great guide for a dynamic interesting and joyful city tour
Great tour. Jörn did great job showing us architecture beauties of the city. Recommendation!
It was great time cycling trough the city. Our guide was great, would recommend 10/10
I've been traveling independently for many years, yet here in CPH I actually did two different group tours by bike. I did two tours in CPH, with different guides and providers. I found each extremely enjoyable and informative, and a good value for the money. Our group was small, only six riders, enabling good interaction and questions as warranted. Given my interest in architecture, I was pleased to have an informed guide who could show the designs of the city that merit attention. In addition, our guide included two bathroom breaks, which while not used by me, might have been very welcome on another day. My only cavil is that I would have liked a printed map at the conclusion of our tour, showing more or less the route we had taken touring the sites. Maybe provide it online so visitors would download it, since sustainability is so much at the forefront of the public mindset. BTW, one in our group fell, and suffered minor cuts. Our guide was at the ready with a bag of bandages, tape, and ointment, (see Scout Motto), and apparently the sponsor is also prepared to have backup rendezvous with our group had he required major assistance. That way the rest of us could proceed on while his injury was attended to if needed. Comforting to know.
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and took the time to leave a review. Thank you also for your valuable feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve our tours and greatly appreciate your suggestions.
This is a great tour if you are interested in seeing interesting buildings and understanding what makes Copenhagen unusual. Our guide, Rene, was a terrific observer and interpreter of the recent history of Copenhagen, and provided an intro to some of the resiliency strategies and and regulatory reforms that distinguish the city.
