Ørstedsparken

From City Walls to Inner-City Sanctuary

Ørstedsparken occupies the line where Copenhagen’s defensive ramparts once stood, part of a chain of green spaces that follow the curve of the vanished walls. After the fortifications were decommissioned in the 19th century, the area was reshaped into a promenade park, officially inaugurated in 1879 and named for physicist Hans Christian Ørsted, famed for discovering electromagnetism. The long, serpentine lake at its heart is a surviving fragment of the old moat, giving the park a subtle sense of drama as paths rise and fall along former embankments. Today the historical origins are most visible in the park’s contours: steep grassy slopes, viewpoints above the water and curved paths that never quite run straight. Plaques and monuments dotted around the lawns recall both Ørsted and other notable Danes, blending scientific legacy with leisurely landscape design.

Water, Wildlife and Sculpture

The lake is the park’s visual anchor, reflecting trees, sky and the surrounding city. In warmer months you are likely to see ducks and swans cruising the surface, and occasionally turtles sunning themselves on stones near the shore. Several viewpoints and small platforms bring you close to the water, ideal for photography or a quiet break. Scattered through the greenery are statues and sculptural groups, including classical figures inspired by Greek mythology. Their pale forms stand out against the foliage, adding an almost theatrical note to otherwise relaxed lawns and flower beds. This mixture of urban nature, wildlife and art gives Ørstedsparken a distinctly romantic character, especially in spring and early summer when beds are in bloom.

Playgrounds, Picnics and Everyday Life

Ørstedsparken balances tranquillity with everyday local use. Two playgrounds, both well equipped with slides, swings and sand areas, draw families throughout the day, making the park an easy choice if you are visiting Copenhagen with children. Open lawns and gently sloping banks invite picnics, informal ball games or simply stretching out with a book. Joggers loop around the lake on broad gravel paths, while office workers and students slip in at lunchtime to claim benches overlooking the water. On sunny days the park feels like an open-air living room for the surrounding neighbourhood, with patchwork groups of friends, couples and solo visitors sharing the same green space in different ways.

Café Culture and Copenhagen Hygge

Near the water you will find a small café, often referred to as Flindt & Ørsted, which brings an extra layer of hygge to the setting. In the warmer half of the year its outdoor seating becomes a focal point, with people lingering over coffee, simple meals and cold drinks while watching life unfold around the lake. The park’s central location means it naturally connects with nearby food markets and streets, so it is common to see visitors arrive with takeaway lunches or pastries from the surrounding city. Whether you sit at the café or on the grass, the combination of food, fresh air and water views is one of Ørstedsparken’s quiet pleasures.

Seasons, Atmosphere and Who It Suits

Each season shapes the park differently. Spring brings fresh leaves and flowering beds, summer extends the days and fills the lawns, while autumn adds rich colour to the trees and strong reflections on the lake. Even in winter, the open views and bare branches create a calmer, more austere beauty that suits contemplative walks. The atmosphere is generally relaxed rather than formal: dogs being walked, prams trundling past, friends chatting on benches. It suits a wide range of visitors, from solo travellers seeking a breather between museums to couples looking for a romantic stroll, as well as families in search of a safe, central playground. With its blend of history, landscape and daily life, Ørstedsparken offers a very local slice of Copenhagen right in the inner city.