Copenhagen: Day Trips

Bellevue This is one of the most popular beaches for the residents of Copenhagen, and because it was designed by as a pioneering seaside development in the 1930s by Arne Jacobsen, arguably the greatest of the Danish designers, you can soak up some architectural history as you soak up some sun. 20-minute train ride, 8 miles north of Copenhagen; www.arne-jacobsen.com
beach | family

Helsinki, Finland Like Copenhagen, the Finnish capital is known for the excellence of its design and has fantastic shopping. Don’t miss the main department store, Stockmann. Or, for something a little more cultural, leave the city to visit Ainola, the house of composer Sibelius. 90-minute flight from Kastrup Airport, 550 miles northeast of Copenhagen; www.visitfinland.com
culture | history | art

Malmö The third largest city in Sweden is now, in effect, a suburb of the Danish capital. Stroll the cobbled streets and see one of the most stunning skyscrapers in Europe: Santiago Calatrava’s Turning Torso. 30-minute train ride, 16 miles east of Copenhagen; www.visitsweden.com
architecture | culture | history | art

Oslo, Norway In theory you could make a daytrip to the Norwegian capital, but it’s far nicer to spend a couple of nights. While there you can see the two versions of Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the Munch Museum and the National Gallery and even take a trip out to the fjörds. 70-minute flight from Kastrup Airport, 300 miles north of Copenhagen; www.visitoslo.com
culture | history | art

Stockholm, Sweden Copenhagen’s great rival is elegant and entertaining, but far less lively than the Danish capital. If you see only one sight, visit the Vasa Museet to take in the astonishingly well-preserved 17th-century warship. Be sure to spend some time exploring the Old Town. 70-minute flight from Kastrup Airport, 325 miles northeast of Copenhagen; www.stockholmtown.com
culture | history | art

Tisvildeleje With clean water, an immaculate beach, and lots of charming thatched cottages, this is one of the best seaside resorts in Denmark. The train ride is, in itself, a charming experience. 90-minute train ride on the S-train via Hillerød to Tisvildeleje, 40 miles north of Copenhagen; www.visitgribskov.dk
beach | family | culture