13 Cleanest Harbour Baths in Copenhagen Canals (for Swimming)

Looking for the best harbour baths in Copenhagen?

Havnebade or the harbour baths is a system of recreational bathing facilities along the waterfront of Copenhagen.

The city’s harbour baths offer a unique and refreshing way to experience wild swimming throughout the year.

As someone who lives in Copenhagen, I have been to several harbour baths across the city. It is one of the best free things to do in Copenhagen. I love how these harbour baths bring locals and visitors together.

They’re clean and free to use, and there is no time constraint to how long you can stay in the water. Plus, it is surrounded by stunning cityscapes.

I have listed the best harbour baths in Copenhagen—what to expect, where to go, facilities, and some local tips to make the most of your swim.

Let’s dive into the best harbour baths in Copenhagen!

1. Sandkaj Bathing Area

Sandkaj Bathing Zone (Badezone Sandkaj) in Nordhavn is one of the best spots to take a dip in Copenhagen’s clean harbour. It’s got a laid-back beachy vibe.

The entire waterfront in Nordhavn turns into a buzzing hangout spot when the sun is out—Locals and visitors lounge by the promenade, grab drinks from nearby cafés, supermarkets, and restaurants, enjoy the urban beach setting, or take a refreshing swim.

The bathing area has two designated swimming lanes stretching 60 m, marked by yellow buoys, along with a small jumping platform.

Just beside it, there’s a dipping zone—a compact 4×6 meter pool with an adjustable bottom, making it ideal for winter bathing or enjoying a safe swim in the summer with kids.

One thing to note—there are no lifeguards here, so you swim at your own risk. But the zones are clearly marked, and rescue equipment is available.

Sauna Nor, the saungus near the swimming area is open for everyone but needs reservation. The floating sauna at Sandkaj needs the membership of Copenwater. 

However, the public toilets and changing rooms are available for everyone.

• Location:  Badezone Sandkaj
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

Note: Swimming in Copenhagen’s harbour is only allowed in designated harbour baths and bathing zones. These areas are marked with floating barriers and buoys to keep swimmers safe. If you swim outside these zones, you could be fined 1,000 DKK.

2. Søndre Refshalebassin Bathing Zone

Just a short walk from Reffen Street Food Market, Søndre Refshale Badezone (Badezone Søndre Refshalebassin) is a good spot for a refreshing dip after indulging in some of the best street food in the city.

Opened in 2018, this small harbour bath is simple but inviting.

The bathing area has two designated lapping lanes (50m and 60m)—both with a depth of 6-8 meters, giving you plenty of space to glide through the clean, open water.

It’s not as crowded as other harbour baths in Copenhagen, which makes it a great spot if you’re looking for a more peaceful swim.

There are no lifeguards and changing facilities at the bath, and the nearest public toilets are about 800 meters away.

Copenwater offers floating sauna near  Søndre Refshalebassin bathing zone but the access is only for the members of the club.

On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than combining a visit to Søndre Refshale Badezone with a delicious meal at Reffen.

• Location: Badezone Søndre Refshalebassin
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

3. La Banchina Swimming Zone

La Banchina is one of my favourite harbour baths in Copenhagen. It’s a 14-seat restaurant, café, and wine bar with a small swimming zone—perfect for a quick dip between sips of wine.

In the summer, it’s one of the best places to hang out in town, packed with locals soaking up the sun and enjoying the relaxed waterfront vibe.

In winter, it transforms into a prime spot for cold plunges, with a sauna on-site (just remember to book it in advance).

Buoys border the bathing area. The best way to experience La Banchina? Dip, eat, repeat.

If you’re looking for a local hangout with great food and less crowd, this is the place to be!

• Location: La Banchina
• Opening Hours: Open all year round from 8:00 to 16:00

Tip: Download the Byoghavn app, KBHHavn app, or Badevand app to get updates on the weather, wind, UV radiation, water quality, and water temperature of the bathing areas in Copenhagen. Alternatively, you can check the updates on the Badevand official website.

4. Havnegade Swimming Zone

Havnegade Swimming Zone (Havnebadet Havnegade) is a tiny but fantastic spot for a quick dip in the heart of Copenhagen. The pool is just 4×6 meters.

It’s a simple setup—stairs leading down into the water and a floating pontoon with an enclosed pool. The solid bottom allows you to enjoy it year-round.

It’s a quiet, central spot just a short walk from Nyhavn where there are numerous cafes to warm up afterwards.

Havnegade is the best harbour bath for winter swimming in Copenhagen and to enjoy a safe splash with kids.

• Location: Havnebadet Havnegade
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

Tip: Some harbour baths in Copenhagen canals have limited facilities—no dedicated changing rooms or freshwater showers, so many people arrive in swimwear.

5. Islands Brygge Harbour Bath

Havnebadet Islands Brygge (Havnebadet Islands Brygge) is Copenhagen’s first and most famous harbour bath.

Opened in 2003 shortly after the water in the Copenhagen Canal became clean enough to swim in, this waterfront quickly became the go-to spot for locals and tourists of all ages.

It has five pools in total, including two dedicated to children. The smallest has a shallow end of just 3 m. For those who love a good swim, the 75 m lap pool (2.5 m deep) is ideal for some exercise. But if you’re more into adventure, head straight for the diving platforms—1, 3, and 5 m high.

And with lifeguards on duty from June 1st to August 31st (10:00-18:00), it’s a safe place to swim too.

Beyond swimming, this spot is all about the summer vibe. People come here not just to swim but to relax, sunbathe, and hang out with friends.

Mobile saunas are also available during the winter season restricted to the association members. Guest bathing day is the first Sunday of the month from November to April between 13:00-16:00.

The adjacent green park and promenade provide plenty of space to lay down a blanket and have a picnic. The public restroom close by allows you to spend longer hours soaking up the Copenhagen summer.

If you’re looking for the best city-centre harbour bath to enjoy swimming and sunshine, Islands Brygge it is!

• Location: Havnebadet Islands Brygge
• Opening Hours: Open all year round between 6:00 and 22:00

Did you know? The water in the Copenhagen harbour was officially declared clean by the EU in 1999 and the first public harbour bath was opened on Island Brygge in 2003.

6. Kalvebod Bølge Harbour Bath

Directly across from the popular Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, the Kalvebod Bølge swimming zone offers a more relaxed alternative without overwhelming crowds.

It’s a great spot for a swim, a quick dip, or simply enjoying Copenhagen’s harbour vibes.

One of the coolest features here is the floating hexagonal wooden dipping zone. It’s a compact 5.8×5.8m structure with a 3x3m pool that can accommodate up to 12 people at a time. The adjustable bottom ranges from 0.6m to 1.4m, making it great for kids in summer or for an icy plunge in winter.

There is also a huge outdoor slide. While it’s meant for fun, you’ll often spot people daringly jumping from the top into the water below.

The floating sauna called Winter Island is located nearby and is accessible to everyone. Another wave bathers floating sauna is open during the winter season and booking can be done online from here.

For those who prefer to stay dry, there’s an outdoor gym, and the wooden boardwalk along the waterfront is a perfect place for a peaceful stroll. At night, the lights from nearby buildings reflect beautifully on the water.

• Location: Kalvebod Bølge
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

7. Halfdansgade Badezone

A little farther from Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, on the same side, you’ll find the Halfdansgade swimming zone (Badezone Halfdansgade). It is comparatively less crowded.

The bathing area is 74x12m, with a deep-water lap pool stretching 50m.

It’s great for swimmers, but keep in mind—the water here is deep, around 8m. There are stairs to help you get in and out, but no lifeguards on duty, meaning you’re swimming at your own risk.

The pool is detached from the quayside, so you’ll access it via the wooden bridge.

If you’re up for a deep-water swim away from the busier spots, Halfdansgade is a great harbour bath to take the plunge!

• Location: Badezone Halfdansgade
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

8. Fisketorvet Open Water Swimming Pool

Mostly frequented by the locals, the Fisketorvet public harbour bath is located close to the Meatpacking District, it offers a more relaxed vibe compared to the busier city-centre pools.

There are three pools here: a diving pool with springboards (1m, 2m, and 3m) at around 5m deep, a 50m lap pool for swimmers (also 5m deep), and a children’s pool with a fixed bottom at 0.7m deep.

Lifeguards are on duty from June 1st to August 31st, from 10:00 to 18:00.

If you’re driving, you can park at Fisketorvet Mall for a couple of hours and enjoy a sunbathe by the harbour! There are also toilet facilities inside the mall.

The floating sauna located at Fisketorvet is operated by Copenhagen Swimming Club and is open only during selected months. It is open for visitors on Tuesdays and Sundays and needs prior reservation.

• Location: Open water swimming pool Fisketorvet
• Opening Hours: Open all year round from 6:00 to 22:00

Did you know? When lifeguards are present at Copenhagen’s harbour baths, a red and yellow flag is raised. It can be seen only during the summer months.

9. Badevigen (Havnevigen)

Located near Islands Brygge, Badevigen (Havnevigen) or Havnevigen Swimming Zone is about 3 km from the city centre. Unlike the usual harbour baths, this spot has a beautiful artificial sandy beach, giving it more of a seaside vibe!

Tucked away from the main harbour area, the bay is constantly refreshed with water from the main Copenhagen harbour basin, so the water quality is just as good as other harbour baths. 

Swimming is only allowed in the designated area, marked by floating barriers, keeping it safe for everyone.

In summer, it gets packed with locals soaking up the sun and cooling off in the water.

A café and restaurant are located nearby, so you won’t have to go far for food.

Several locals from Islands Brygge and other nearby neighbourhoods visit this cosy little beach to relax, swim, and enjoy a summer day in Copenhagen.

• Location: Badevigen (Havnevigen)
• Opening Hours: May 1 to September 10 from 10:00 to 22:00

10. Sluseholmen Harbour bath

Sluseholmen Harbour Bath (Havnebadet Sluseholmen), also known as the Coral Bath, is a swimming facility in the Sydhavn area of Copenhagen. Its unique design is inspired by coral reefs hence the name.

Built on a floating pontoon and detached from the quayside, you’ll need to cross a gangway bridge to access it.

It is home to three pools—a youth pool, a children’s pool, and a deeper swimming zone for more experienced swimmers. The exercise pool is 3-5 meters deep with a diving area that has platforms from 1.5 to 3 meters, the youth pool is 1.1 meters deep, and the children’s pool is super shallow at 0-0.3 meters.

A lifeguard is on duty during the summer (June 1 to August 31, from 10:00 to 18:00), and there’s a toilet on-site.

There is also a Badekompagniet sauna near to the Sluseholmen harbour bath but the access is only for association members.

The nearest shop is just 350 meters away, so grab some snacks and drinks if you plan to stay for a while. Overall, it has a lovely atmosphere for a refreshing swim in the harbour!

• Location: Havnebadet Sluseholmen
• Opening Hours: Open all year round from 6:00 to 22:00

Did you know? In 2019, CNN ranked Copenhagen as the best city in the world for swimming. 

11. Teglholm Brygge Harbour Bath

Opened in 2022, Teglholm Brygge Harbour Bath (Teglholm Brygge Havnebad) is a great spot for swimming in Copenhagen. 

It has two bathing zones, offering both, a deep swimming zone for confident swimmers and a shallow dipping zone for kids.

The facilities here are excellent—there’s even a café on the premises.

A bench extends over the water, giving you a peaceful place to relax with your feet dangling above the harbour, and three more benches line the wooden pier on the south side, perfect for soaking in the views.

The access to the sauna at Teglholm requires membership of Copenwater.

Whether you’re here for a swim or just to enjoy the waterfront atmosphere, Teglholm Brygge has a laid-back charm.

• Location: Teglholm Brygge Harbour Bath
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

12. Vandtrappen, the Water Stairs

Vandtrappen, The Water Stairs (Vandtrappen Sluseholmen) is located just across the water from Teglholm Brygge but with far fewer crowds.

This spot features Copenhagen’s longest swimming area—100 meters of open water.

The wooden staircase by the water is a great place to sit, relax, and enjoy the view.

It’s about 4.5 km from the city centre, so you’ll mostly find locals here rather than tourists. Also, cafes are just a short walk away.

If you’re looking for a more laid-back Copenhagen swimming experience, this is the place to be.

• Location: The Water Stairs
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

13. Byskoven Bathing Zone

Byskoven Bathing Area (Badezone Byskoven) is one of Copenhagen’s newest harbour baths, opened in 2023.

Tucked away in Amager Nature Park, it is the favourite harbour for people from the areas of Amager and Sydhavn.

Getting here is easiest by bike—no cars mean no traffic noise or stress. It’s a peaceful bathing area with floating barriers marking the designated swimming zone.

There is plenty of space to swim without feeling overcrowded. The pool itself is 18×10 meters and relatively shallow, so expect to glide over sea plants as you swim.

Facilities include toilets and showers, with disabled access to both the amenities and the water—there’s even a built-in ramp on the wooden structure.

For a quieter swim away from the city, a cycle trip here is totally worth it!

• Location: Badezone Byskoven
• Opening Hours: Open all year round, 24/7

Copenhagen Harbour Baths Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Harbour Baths in Copenhagen Canals

Copenhagen’s pride = clean harbour!

No matter where you’re in Copenhagen, you are never far from a harbour bath.

The harbour baths in Copenhagen are more than just swimming spots—they’re a way of life. These baths offer a unique way to experience the city like a local.

So, grab your swimsuit and just jump in Copenhagen’s harbour baths. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t forget!