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Sunrise

Sunrise at Charlottenlund

Catch the sun rising directly behind the historic fortress walls.

Best time: 22 May to 28 May or 16 Jul to 22 JulAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 04:17

    Øregårdsparken

    Get to Øregårdsparken early. The park is about 17 minutes away from the fortress, so leave the parking area or bus stop with time to spare. Find a spot in the grass or on the benches facing the fortress. The sun will rise directly behind the old fortress walls, creating a striking silhouette against the morning sky.

  2. 04:47

    Øregårdsparken

    Watch the sunrise. The moment lasts only a few minutes, but the light changes quickly. Take in the view of the fortress against the brightening sky.

  3. 05:17

    Sankt Peder

    Head to Sankt Peder for a traditional Danish breakfast. This restaurant is very close to the park and opens at 11:30. If you arrive before opening, you can still grab a coffee or drink. They serve smørrebrød and other Danish classics. It is a popular spot, so be prepared for a short wait if it is busy, but they usually find you a seat quickly.

  4. 05:47

    Lydolph's Isbar

    Walk over to Lydolph's Isbar for a treat. This well-known ice cream shop is just a short walk from the restaurant. In the summer, it can get crowded, but the large ice creams are worth the queue. Enjoy your dessert while you walk back towards the fortress area.

Local tip

The alignment of the sunrise behind the fortress is specific to certain dates. Check the dates in the best_time section. If you visit on other dates, the sun will not align perfectly with the fortress, but the view is still lovely.

Check before you go

  • Sankt Peder opens at 11:30. If you arrive earlier, you can wait outside or grab a coffee elsewhere.
  • Lydolph's Isbar is open from March to September. If you visit outside these months, this step will not be available.
  • The walk from the park to the restaurant is short, but the area can be busy on sunny days. Allow time for walking.

Worth knowing

  • Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Copenhagen (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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