10 Best Spa and Bathing Locations in Copenhagen

This architectonic gem of a sea bath is most certainly worth a visit since Kastrup Sea Bath (Kastrup Søbad) has a gorgeous view of both Saltholm Island (Saltholm Ø) and Sweden. At this conch-shaped sea bath, you can enjoy both beach and sea. The sea water basin is lit, and there are places to sit all the way around, so you can enjoy the fresh air and a warm cup of coffee from your thermos. If you are a water enthusiast who loves to jump in the water, you can also dive from a height of 10 or 16.5 feet into the basin. When the evening darkness falls, the built-in spotlights light up the trees and create a magical atmosphere in the harbour bath.

There is free access to changing rooms, toilets and the actual baths. Swimming and being at the location is at your own risk.

Let your spa adventure lead you to Amager Beach Park (Amager Strandpark), where you can visit the newly-built Helgoland Sea Baths (Helgoland Søbadeanstalt). The facility is named after the island of Helgoland. Even though the baths have only been located at Øresundsstien since 2008, after having moved from Svanemølle Bugt, the sea baths are over 90 years old.

The only thing to concern yourself with is to put on your bathing suit and prepare your body for wellness – as well as a cold shock. This experience lent its name to Helgoland’s winter bathing association, The Cold Shock (Det Kolde Gys), which was founded in 1929. The baths, which were designed by architect Carsten Hoff, have separate pools for women and men, as well as a common pool. Helgoland is also known for its unique, turquoise colour, for which it actually holds a patent.

Just 200 metres from Christianshavn Metro Station, you can find the most beautiful baths, Sofie Baths (Sofiebadet), which invite you in for pure relaxation, pampering and wellbeing for both body and mind.

Sofie Baths, which are appropriately located on Sofiegade, are an old establishment. The baths date back to 1909 and offer a spa, where you can also purchase skin-tightening algae masks and massages. The signature treatments at the Sofie Baths are the two hamam treatments, Hamam Treatment and Hamam Luxus, which are inspired by the Middle Eastern hamam tradition. If you need even more relaxation, you can pamper yourself with a home-made salt scrub with grape and lavender, followed by a massage with pleasantly-scented oils for 45 minutes. At the Sofie Baths’ café, you can enjoy organic delicacies.

Visit the Bath House (Badehuset) in Christiania for a great experience. Christiania (or Fristaden or just Staden, as the area is also called) was founded in 1971 and is located in the district of Christianshavn in central Copenhagen. It’s the city’s fourth largest tourist attraction, which attracts around half a million annual visitors.

Christiania is known for its liberalism and diversity, which is also reflected in Christiania’s Bath House (Badehuset), the outer wall of which is covered with graffiti. The Bath House plays a central role for the local residents, who meet up to bathe in the spa facilities which include a pool and sauna. During summer, half of the warm water in the bath house is heated by the solar panels on the roof, and a central woodburning stove in the bathing room heats up the sauna.

Take an afternoon off in your calendar and prepare for urban relaxation at Sandkaj Badezone (Sandkaj Bathing Zone), located in the new Nordhavn neighbourhood. Here, you'll experience a romantic promenade with lively cafés and guests bathing or relaxing in the sun. There is also a sauna at the site as well as changing facilities, which you can use if you are a member of Nordhavn IF.

The Sandkaj is open for bathing year round, and it's particularly popular during the cold winter months when the winter bathers jump in the cold harbour. Bathing is permitted within the marked areas. Just be aware that Sandkaj is a harbour bath, so there are no lifeguards.

Do you need extra relaxation and pampering for your body and soul? Then find your swimsuit and visit Øbro Spa (Øbro Kurbad) – Copenhagen’s first public swimming pool, located in Østerbro. Here, you can experience a beautiful arched roof with ceiling lights and a whole section with a spa bath.

Øbro Hall (Øbro-Hallen) allows for a wealth of spa experiences. With one ticket, you get access to all spa facilities. This includes a lovely bubbling spa pool, a Roman caldarium steam bath with both a steam bath and radiant heating in the seats, a light therapy room and an infrared sauna. At the end, you can sit on one of the mahogany chairs and unwind. In other words: You will definitely leave Østerbro fully relaxed.

Close to Nørrebro Metro Station you can find Sjællandsgade Baths (Sjællandsgade Bad) in Copenhagen N. The area invites you to a wellness dance, with hair dressers, a bakery and this bathing facility. Take the trip to this nice 100+ year old bathing facility, which since 2012, has been listed by the Cultural Heritage Authority (Kulturarvsstyrelsen). The place is run by volunteers, who treat it with love.

At Sjællandsgade Baths, you can enjoy showers, sit in the hot sauna or experience aufguss and aroma therapy. The bathing facility also holds monthly events, such as foot baths, community singing and croquis drawing. Just check their calendar on the website and mark a date in yours.

If you are looking for a good aufguss experience, you should drop by the Water Culture House (Vandkulturhuset) in DGI Byen. The mission of DGI Byen is to be home to the city’s active associations, and among other things, they arrange a nice wellness day with aufguss. This takes place at CPH Hotel and the swimming facility Water Culture House, which is two minutes away from the actual DGI Byen. Every Tuesday and Thursday, there is a so-called ‘Wellbeing evening’, where the lights are dimmed and the masters of steam make aufguss for 45 minutes.

If you are a morning person, you can also attend short sessions with aufguss every Thursday morning, with lovely oils and cold rinses. Enjoy the feeling of wellbeing, and remember to drink plenty of water.

Bavnehøj Open-Air Swimming Pool (Bavnehøj Friluftsbad) is a nice, child-friendly open-air swimming pool in Copenhagen SV, for those of you who don’t like sand between your toes but want to swim a few laps and splash about with the kids. Here, you get a 25-metre-long pool with six lanes, a play pool and a grassy area with a playground for the little ones. Bring lots of magazines and books with you because Bavnehøj Open-Air Swimming Pool also offers facilities for sunbathing.

Changing facilities and lockers are available. You just need to bring your own lock, bathing suit, towel and, of course, sunscreen for those rare sunny days. There is free entrance to the open-air swimming pool. Enjoy!

La Banchina is an Italian restaurant with room for up to 16 seated guests. Here, you'll be met by the aroma of good coffee and an abundance of delicious quality ingredients. Don’t be fooled by the white and blue restaurant and bar, which looks like a workman’s hut; it will most certainly be an enchanting experience once you step inside. You get an authentic Italian atmosphere in unpolished surroundings, and the restaurant’s menu offers a few simple and inviting dishes. You can also order natural wine from small independent vineyards with your meal.

La Banchina is located by the water, and you can jump in directly from a bathing jetty and then hop right into a hot sauna. You can't book tables at the restaurant, but do book your sauna session in good time since it's a popular spot. And it's easy to understand why!