There’s no doubt life is better in flip-flops. If the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions the beach is a solitary bungalow on a remote island, here’s a challenge for you: find and enjoy some of the best city beaches in the world. Even amid the urban hustle and bustle, you can immerse yourself in the laid-back, cocktail-soaked, sea-breeze-infused atmosphere of these sandy dream lands.

Bruxelles Les Bains (Brussel Bad), Belgium

Beach time in Brussels | Stephane Mignon/Flickr

The capital of Belgium has its very own beach at Beco Quay (Quai de Beco) – every year for a month a real beach appears, featuring huge stretches of sand, palm-trees, exotic plants… Visitors play beach volleyball and beach soccer, or cool off by splashing about in fountains and pools.

Brygge Islands, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Brygge Islands | © Christian Alsing/ Visit Copenhagen

You may think you’re too far north to afford the luxury of going for a swim in the open, but that’s because you haven’t been to Brygge Islands – a wonderful free pool by the harbor in central Copenhagen. The water is clear and refreshing, but you probably won’t want to jump off the quay and into the water unless you visit in July or August.

Paris Plages (Paris Beaches), France

Beach along the Seine, Paris | Eric Huybrechts/Flickr

The closest coast is 200 km (124 mi) from Paris, but that doesn’t stop the French. For four weeks from late July, several tons of sand are pumped onto the Seine’s banks in the French capital. More than 2 km (1,5 mi) of sandy beaches invite all those citizens and guests who are exhausted from the heat to enjoy a Seine-side holiday. The beaches bustle with free classes, rollerbladers, cyclists, a mobile library and plenty of people enjoying other fun activities.

Repulse Bay Beach Hong Kong, China 

Repulse Beach, Hong Kong | Mark Lehmkuhler/Flickr

Escape from the madness of Hong Kong and discover the sun and golden sands that grace the southern part of the island. This oasis of calm is set against a background of modern buildings and mountain slopes. 

Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA

Venice Beach, LA | DenisDenis/Flickr

This iconic beach is perfect not only for sunbathing, but also for renting roller skates or a bike. You can roll down a seven-mile bike alley to Will Rogers State Beach.

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The bumps (England and Ireland)

If you happen to celebrate your birthday in the company of some English and Irish friends, don’t get surprised when the moment comes for them to take you by the hands and legs and “bump” you up into the air and back to the floor – and then again, and again until the number of “bumps” reaches the age you are turning.

Beating with belts (Poland)

Turning 18 is a big thing in Europe – you suddenly find yourself with a lot of exciting new opportunities, you don’t need mom and dad’s permission to do anything and you are no longer a child. And to welcome you to adulthood, Poles will slap you 18 times on the ass with a belt in front of all your guests in the middle of your birthday party. I am not quite sure how to comment on this, so let’s just leave it here and move a bit north to…

Decapitating the cake (Denmark)

…where the roles swap.  The birthday person is no longer being tortured but rather turns into the torturer – over their birthday cake. In Denmark it is common for the birthday cake (called Kagemand) to be shaped and decorated to look like a man (if it’s a boy’s birthday) or woman (if it’s a girl’s birthday). After the kid has finished blowing out the candles, they cut off the head of the cake-person while all the other kids around are screaming their own heads off.

A cute one to restore your faith in humanity (Ukraine)

We are finishing the list of bizarre birthday customs in Ukraine, with one that (thankfully) doesn’t hurt anyone. Ukrainians draw a circle on a piece of paper, which they cut into eight slices like pizza. On each of them they write something bad that happened in the last year and then burn that “slice”. When the bad things are all burned and buried in the past, the same “pizza” is made – this time with the positive changes in the past year of one’s life.

Ear pulling (Hungary, Italy, Brazil, Argentina…)

The idea of showing the birthday person that you are happy they were born and you wish them a happy and long life by actually causing them physical discomfort is not foreign to Hungarians or Italians either – they will pull your earlobes, once again the same number of times as the age you are turning. This practice is also common in Brazil and Argentina.

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Award-winning Copenhagen regularly features in the top 10 Best Places to Live in the World, but also ranks highly in The Most Expensive Cities in the World and Cities You Can Never Afford to Live In categories. We know that, as a visitor to this picturesque but pricey paradise, you’ll be craving some suggestions for free things to do. That’s why we’ve made some inquiries, called some friends in Copenhagen and compiled this list of free activities in the Danish capital.

Admire the Little Mermaid statue (before it gets defaced again)

This is both the biggest and the smallest attraction in Copenhagen. If you come expecting a giant, imposing sculpture you’ll be disappointed, but what the statue lacks in size, it makes up for with its frankly bizarre history. The poor Little Mermaid has been decapitated three times, had her right arm amputated once, has twice been covered in a burqa and was pushed off her rock in 2003. She has even been photographed, embarrassingly, with a dildo in her hand.

The Little Mermaid | © Rasmus Flindt Pedersen/ Visit Copenhagen

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view over Copenhagen

Since 2004, the Tower (Tårnet) of Christiansborg – the palace of the Parliament – has opened its doors to visitors free of charge. If you can handle the long lines and crowds of tourists, you’ll be rewarded with splendid views over Copenhagen. You can also dine at the restaurant inside the tower, although it’ll cost you a cartload of krone.

The Tower of Christiansborg is open Tuesday–Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm. More useful information here.

The view from the Tower of Christiansborg, Copenhagen | © Visit Copenhagen

Watch the changing of the royal guards

Amalienborg Palace is the official home of the Danish royal family, which is why it requires protection by scores of guards in ornate uniforms. Some of the guards change every two hours, but the most impressive scene occurs at noon, when all the guards change their posts to the sound of majestic music.

Changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace | © Klaus Bentzen/ Visit Copenhagen

Picnic in the King’s Garden

Bring a picnic blanket, a feast and a bottle of bubbly with you to the King’s Garden (Kongens Have in Danish) at Rosenborg Palace, and you too will feel like royalty as you laze on the picnic-perfect grass. Visit the garden in summer to enjoy an array of free events, including concerts, puppet shows and exhibitions. It’s open 7 am – 18 pm.

Picnic in the King’s Garden | © Morten Jerichau/ Visit Copenhagen

Ride a bike through the city streets

Practically everyone cycles through Copenhagen’s extremely bike-friendly streets, and the best way to blend in is to do the same. You can take advantage of Copenhagen’s bike rental system, which has been free of charge since 1995. All you need is a 2 euro coin for a deposit, which you’ll get back when you return the bike.

Exploring Copenhagen by bicycle | © Jon Ram Bruun Pedersen/ Visit Copenhagen

Swim outdoors (in summer)

You may think you’re too far north to swim outdoors, but if you visit Copenhagen in the summer months you’ll see hordes of Danes splashing about in the water. Head to Brygge Islands, a wonderful free pool near the port and just a stone’s throw from the city center, to take the plunge. The water is clean and refreshing, although definitely on the chilly side.

Brygge Islands | © Christian Alsing/ Visit Copenhagen

Walk around the free town of Christiania

The world-famous bohemian neighborhood of Christiania was founded in 1971 as a haven for hippies and non-conformists, and soon gained a reputation as the place to buy hash and pot (but no hard drugs). Today, many of the original settlers still live in the collectively controlled village within the city, helping the area retain its laid-back ’70s feel. A lot of those Christianians built their homes themselves, which explains the quirky architecture on display.

Christiania | © Visit Copenhagen

Enrich your mind at Copenhagen’s free museums

Admission is free at the National Museum and the National Gallery, making some of Denmark’s most important cultural treasures accessible to everyone.

The National Museum in Copenhagen | © Visit Copenhagen

Join the festivities at Copenhagen Pride 

Every year in mid-August the city’s LGBT community celebrates Copenhagen Pride with a range of out-there activities and flamboyant festivities. Dates and more information here.

Copenhagen Pride | © Visit Copenhagen

Catch a movie at Copenhagen’s open-air summer cinema

Every summer, Danish TV channel 2 Zulu hosts the Zulu Summer Open-Air Cinema, which pops up in city parks throughout Denmark. Admission is free, so all you have to do is bring a blanket, some food and drinks (which you can also buy on site), and insect repellent. Exact dates and locations change every year, so ask a local to help plan your cinema session. Read our guide of Copenhagen as a movie location inspiration.

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The Danish concept of hygge has taken the world by storm in the past year. Some people have found its meaning in cozy socks and candlelight, but for others it is a faraway philosophy revealing the secrets to a happy life. One thing is for sure – hygge has made us think of ways to improve our well-being and turn every moment into a celebration for the soul.

Things you should know about hygge:

• It is one of the central characteristics of Danish culture.

• It is pronounced “hoogha”.

• It translates roughly “coziness”.

• It is a psychological state of contentment.

• The essential facets of the hygge lifestyle are: coziness, a pleasant atmosphere, spending quality time with the people around you and connecting with nature.

• It was shortlisted in the Oxford 2016 word of the year competition.

5 ways you can apply hygge to traveling

1. Get comfy on the road.

Traveling is not just about the destination; equally important are the journeys along the way. You can turn the road itself into a hygge experience by choosing the means of transport you find most comfortable to take you where you need to go. Grab some nice coffee, get cozy, put your headphones on and listen to your favorite music while enjoying the view out the window.

2. Spend time outdoors.

Connecting with nature is one of the key components of hygge, and a big part of Danish culture in general. To embrace the hygge philosophy on your travels, make sure you explore the nature surrounding you. That could involve cycling, walking, surfing or simply sitting and observing.

3. Enjoy the little things.

One important element of the hygge lifestyle is thinking about everyday activities as if they are special celebrations. This works especially well if you are exploring an unknown place. On your next trip, pay attention to the food you eat, the atmosphere of the cafes you visit, the beautiful gardens you stroll through and every other detail that piques your interest throughout the day. If all those things make you happy already, you might be practicing hygge without even realizing it.

4. Come together.

Another element of hygge is finding happiness through socializing, and there is nothing more hygge than traveling with friends or family – the perfect chance to create memories and strengthen the bond between you.

However, traveling alone doesn’t mean you can’t find togetherness on the road. With more and more apps like Rent a Local Friend, Couchsurfing, Showaround and Global Greeters, it is easier than ever to make friends wherever you go. That connection, according to the Danes, is one of the ingredients of a happy life, both on the road and off it.

5. Take it slow.

Travel, like many things in life, is about quality over quantity. Traveling slowly allows you to form a stronger connection with the places you visit, which in turn creates that hygge vibe of relaxation and coziness.

READ MORE:

WHAT TO DO ON A RAINY DAY – 20 IDEAS WITH FRIENDS

5 MINI HABITS THAT WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY YOU TRAVEL

10 CRAZY TRAVEL CHALLENGES FOR THE WILD-SPIRITED

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If there is something better than the feeling of being in a foreign place, it could only be the feeling of being in many foreign places at the same time. But how is it possible to get such a feeling, one might wonder. Well, Superkilen Park in Copenhagen, Denmark manages to fulfill that task quite thoroughly.

How so?

Superkilen is not your typical park. It is more like an exhibition filled with objects from all over the world: benches from Brazil, palm trees from China, neon signs from Russia, a boxing ring from Thailand and a fountain from Morocco, just to name a few.

Some of these objects are exact replicas of the original ones, while others were bought and transported from the country they originally belonged to. Next to each of them is a sign displaying where the object comes from, written in both Danish and in the language of the object’s country of origin.

The red sector of Superkilen Park/ Wikipedia

The importance of the locals

The park is part of the Municipality of Copenhagen’s plan to improve urban spaces in the neighborhood of Nørrebro. It was designed by the Danish artists’ collective Superkilen, in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group – a team of architects and designers based in Copenhagen and New York – and Topotek 1, a German architecture firm.

This neighborhood is actually one of the most ethnically diverse areas of Copenhagen and is home to people of dozens of different nationalities from all over the world – more than 60, to be exact. Here comes the best part of the project: those people actually took part in choosing the objects to represent their countries.

The green sector, with tables from Armenia – Fred Romero/ Flickr

The colors

The park has three different sectors, coded according to color: black, red and green.

The black sector is where you go to sit on a Turkish bench and play chess from Bulgaria, while enjoying the view of a beautiful Moroccan fountain. Fire up the barbecue and there you have it: the perfect place for chilling in the city.

The green sector is where you keep fit with the help of bike paths, a basketball court and gym facilities from all over the world. It is also the most suitable sector for families and kids, thanks to its many playgrounds.

The opportunity for physical activities continues in the red sector, too. Here you can find a Thai boxing ring, a basketball court and more cycle tracks lined with colorful German bike stands. It’s worth mentioning that this sector also contains a slide from Chernobyl and a Jamaican sound system.

How to get there:

The exact address of the park is: Heimdalsgade, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.

It is easily accessible by subway – the closest station is Nørrebro St.

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>>> Check here for more free and fun things to do in Copengahen.

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Copenhagen is known for its rich cultural heritage, cycling and capricious weather. It is enriched by the dynamic lifestyle of the people and the artists that live and create here. And yet, what is the most entertaining way to discover a city without actually visiting it? It’s watching a movie shot there.

Statue of the Little Mermaid

Copenhagen, the way it is now

Canadian writer and director Mark Raso thought exactly that when he made the movie „Copenhagen” in 2014. In this romantic drama, the main character, William, goes to Denmark in search of his grandfather. While in Copenhagen, he meets a young girl who helps him trace his relative. You are actually taken on the adventurous trip that William challenges himself to do. The movie focuses on Denmark, exactly as it is in present time – rich day-life with cafes, museums, restaurants and parks, and feverish nightclubs after dark. A few rather famous tourist places are slipped into the movie for extra authenticity. One of the locations that has been used is the Thorvaldsens museum that has been active for over 150 years. It features the works of Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsens (1770 – 1884). The museum is mostly filled with sculptures but some of the sketches used for them have been used as separate art. An interesting fact is that the venue can be hired to provide a fairytale wedding ceremony for you and your soulmate.

The quayside of Nyhavn

Copenhagen, the way it was before

And yet probably no other movie can show the beauty of Copenhagen, even if it is set in the past, like “The Danish Girl” (2015). Tom Hooper, director of the award-winning movie, succeeded in recreating the city as it was in its post-World War I period. It received both praise and criticism due to its controversial story, but who are we to judge. The scenes show a lot of iconic places in Copenhagen, such as Børsen, The Royal Theatre and the Fiolstræde Læsesal library, which is a part of the Copenhagen University. The scene shot in this library was actually portraying a library in France, but the crew decided to show that Copenhagen is beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside. The Nyhavn canal district is also used a lot in the movie since it is the residence of the main characters (Einar and Lili). This district, in the past, was a big commercial port that had lots of tradesmen, fishermen and pubs. It is also famous for the houses that were built in that area since some of them date back to the late 17th century. One of the most cult Danish writers, Hans Christian Andersen, lived on Nyhavn in the house at number 20. Nowadays, those houses and most of the building have been renovated. A number of different cafes and food joints reside on the street, while tourists have the chance to experience the relaxing atmosphere of the quayside.

Some Danish cuisine

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