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Photo: Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
If you are an ornithologist, nature lover, or just want some peace, it is harder to get further away from it all and still be this close to the city. Saltholm is a large island off the coast of Amager — and you will be hard pressed to find even a local who has visited, despite the fact that the island is closer to most of Amager than downtown Copenhagen. The island covers some 16 km², and is incredibly flat — the highest point being just one to two meters above the sea — hence the island is largely unpopulated as it is very prone to flooding during hard weather. Save the farms, that brings in over a 1000 cattle every summer to graze on the island. The main reason to visit is to enjoy the wetlands, peace, and the many birds, including some very rare species. There are also seal colonies on the southern end of the island. To get here you need to call the private fishing vessel, which doubles as a ferry out of the small marina near the Kastrup metro station, but you are more than welcome to visit, as long as you pay respect to the unique nature, and practice a healthy dose of leave-no-trace.
Saltholm is a Danish island in the Øresund, the strait that separates Denmark and Sweden. It is located to the east of the Danish island of Amager in Tårnby municipality and lies just to the west of the sea border between Denmark and Sweden. The island is 7 km long and 3 km across at its widest point. With an area of 16 km2, it is Denmark's 21st largest island. Saltholm is very flat; its highest point stands only 2 m (6 ft) above sea level, rendering it vulnerable to flooding if persistent east winds cause a tidal surge in the Baltic Sea. It is a relatively new landmass in geological terms, having risen from the sea about 4,000 years ago due to post-glacial rebound, and is surrounded by a large area of shallow water that covers an area of 28 km2 (11 sq mi). A series of islets, inlets and rock deposits from the last ice age appear at the south end of the island.
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National Aquarium Denmark
Largest aquarium in Northern Europe with 20,000 fish and ocean animals from all over the world.
A museum detailing the maritime history of the village, including a collection of paintings by famous local artist C.W. Eckersberg (1783-1853), ship models and various quirky items from around the world, brought home by the local sailors. The museum includes a small art museum, Mølsteds Museum, in the centre of the village, and a fishing vessel used under the famous evacuation of Jews under the German occupation.
Set in a beautiful old mansion-like country home from the 18th century, this museum displays a large collection of graphics from mainly Danish artists, including a large collection of the somewhat internationally known Cobra artists. There are also a temporary exhibition space.
A unique 30-km² artificially created island, completed in 1914 as part of the city's extensive fortifications. Until Dubai and the Japanese went crazy with this type of construction, it was the largest offshore artificial island in the world. The island was sold to a private company in 2001, but since it is a protected area the new owners must ensure public access to the island. This is handled by Spar Shipping's three to five daily departures during the summer months (120 kr — 30 minutes). The sailing is done via a charming old ferry — MS Langø — from the pier just south of the Nyhavn area, but the island's marina is also open for private yachts. The new owners maintain hostel-like accommodations on the island in the fortress' old soldiers quarters, which can be rented for 800 kr per room with eight bunk beds. There is also a restaurant with traditional Danish lunch and dinners from 80 kr and a kiosk. The owners arrange various activities like treasure hunts, tours and team building activities taking advantage of the old fortress and its history, but this requires larger groups.
Another of Copenhagen's old fortifications, which has been turned into an attractive park. Other than the outline, moat, walls and a few buildings remaining, there is not much to see here in terms of history. But there are some nice views over the sound and you can venture into the open part of the catacombs and see bullet holes from Nazi executions during WWII. A stroll here is easily combined with a visit to Amager Strandpark (see Do section), but otherwise probably not worth the effort.
Amager Beach
Probably the largest beach in the near vicinity of Copenhagen, artificially constructed some years back. Includes a large sand island and an inner lagoon. There is usually a good range of activities going on, even outside the bathing season, such as windsurfing, diving, water skiing, sea kayaking and some hugely popular beach volleyball fields. If you're visiting during winter you have a chance to show your inner Viking with winter bath on the New Helgoland pier.