Vandkunsten – Stationspladsen in Køge
A sculptural fountain anchoring Køge’s station square, where moving water, stone and light turn a busy transport hub into an inviting urban meeting place.
Vandkunsten at Stationspladsen in Køge is a sculptural fountain that anchors the forecourt of the railway station and forms a gentle threshold between historic town and modern transport hub. Here water, stone and metal combine in a contemporary artwork that doubles as an informal meeting point, a spot to pause between journeys and an urban landmark that quietly celebrates Køge’s connection to movement, trade and the sea.
A brief summary to Vandkunsten - Stationspladsen
- Køge, 4600, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit around late afternoon or early evening to see the fountain both in daylight and gently lit as the square shifts from commuter rush to a calmer atmosphere.
- Use the basin edge as an impromptu seat to rest, people-watch and get your bearings before you head into Køge’s historic centre or towards the harbour.
- If you enjoy photography, experiment with long exposures to capture the movement of water and passing trains and buses against the still geometry of the fountain.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train
From central Copenhagen, take a regional train towards Køge or Næstved; most services run several times per hour and the journey to Køge Station typically takes 35–45 minutes. Standard adult fares are usually in the range of 70–110 DKK one way, depending on ticket type and time of purchase. Trains are step-free, but some older carriages may have a small gap to the platform, and services can be busy in rush hours.
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Bus from Køge area
If you are already in the Køge region, several local bus lines connect surrounding neighbourhoods and nearby towns directly to Køge Station in about 10–30 minutes, depending on distance. A single adult ticket on local buses generally costs around 24–36 DKK within a few zones. Buses usually have low-floor entry suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though they may be crowded during school and commuter peaks.
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Car
Arriving by car from elsewhere on Zealand, typical driving times to Køge are 30–50 minutes from Copenhagen and 20–40 minutes from many nearby towns, depending on traffic. Expect to pay 10–25 DKK per hour for parking in designated areas near the station square, with time limits on some spaces and higher demand on weekdays. Height restrictions can apply in multi-storey facilities, and electric charging bays may be in specific zones only.
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Bicycle
From most parts of central Køge the ride to the station area takes around 5–15 minutes along generally flat urban streets and designated cycle lanes. The approach is suitable for everyday bikes and cargo bikes, but you should be prepared for heavier traffic during rush hours and wet or icy surfaces in bad weather. There are usually marked bike parking areas around the station forecourt, which can fill up at peak times.
Vandkunsten - Stationspladsen location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Vandkunsten - Stationspladsen
A contemporary fountain at Køge’s busy threshold
Vandkunsten on Stationspladsen is the first thing many people notice when they step out of Køge Station. Set in the open square in front of the tracks, the fountain acts as a sculptural marker that says you have arrived in town, softening the hard lines of rails, buses and bicycles with the play of moving water and light. The work belongs to a larger story of how Danish towns have rethought their station forecourts, turning them from pure transport nodes into welcoming public spaces. Here, generous paving, seating and planting frame the fountain so it can be both artwork and everyday backdrop for commuters, students and shoppers passing between the historic centre and newer districts.Water, stone and geometry in quiet dialogue
From a distance, Vandkunsten reads as a clear geometric composition: a tall, vertical element rising from a broad circular basin. The precise forms give it an almost architectural character, like a fragment of a much larger structure carefully placed in the square. Close up you notice how the water travels over the surfaces, softening edges and catching reflections from the sky above. The basin defines a calm circle in the busy square. It is just high enough to create a sense of boundary yet low enough that you can sit on the edge, listen to the water and watch the constant movement around you. After dark, discreet lighting turns the fountain into a glowing centrepiece, with ripples picking up the warm tones of the surrounding buildings and station platforms.The station square as everyday meeting place
Stationspladsen is not a park in the traditional sense, but the fountain helps it function as a kind of outdoor living room for Køge. People arrange to meet here before catching a train, children drift towards the water on warm days, and office workers use the edge of the basin as a makeshift bench between errands. The sound of falling water masks some of the traffic noise and creates a more human scale to a space dominated by large vehicles and overhead wires. The square’s open layout means Vandkunsten is visible from several approach routes, acting as a visual guide when you move between the station, bus stops and town centre streets. In summer the water adds a hint of coolness; in colder months the sculptural form comes to the fore when the fountain is not running, giving the piece a different, more architectural expression.Linking old Køge with future waterfront districts
Køge has been undergoing a broad transformation, particularly in the harbour and waterfront areas. In this context, the station forecourt and its fountain form part of a chain of public spaces that knit together old streets, new housing and the busy rail corridor. Vandkunsten’s simple, robust materials sit comfortably with both traditional brick facades and contemporary developments. For visitors arriving by train, this is often the first encounter with the town’s public realm before they explore the medieval streets, harbour promenades and cultural venues. The fountain’s presence suggests a place that takes its everyday spaces seriously, using art and landscape design not as decoration but as integral parts of how people experience the city.Moments of stillness amid constant movement
Spending a little time at Vandkunsten reveals how much life passes through this apparently simple place. Trains slide in and out behind you, buses line up along the curb, bikes weave through, and the steady rhythm of the fountain underpins it all. Stand here at different times of day and the square feels completely different: busy and energetic in the morning, more relaxed in the afternoon, quietly atmospheric after dark when the last commuters drift home. Whether you use it as a landmark to navigate by, a quick pause between connections or a small piece of contemporary urban art to study close up, Vandkunsten on Stationspladsen offers a gentle, human touch at one of Køge’s most trafficked gateways.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Ledreborg Castle
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Viking Ship Museum
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Unmissable attractions to see
Køge Byhistoriske Arkiv
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Køge’s documentary memory bank, where quiet shelves of papers, photos and maps reveal centuries of local life to anyone ready to start researching.
Køge Museum
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Mindesten for Træskoslaget
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Discover Køge Church—a late medieval architectural gem, celebrated for its stunning murals, ornate interiors, and centuries of local history in the old town center.
KØS Museum of Art in Public Spaces
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Denmark’s dedicated museum for art in public spaces, revealing the sketches, models and stories behind monuments, murals and urban artworks in the heart of Køge.
Køge Church
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Explore Køge Church: a landmark of Danish Gothic architecture with Renaissance treasures, vibrant frescoes, and a pivotal role in the historic heart of Køge.
the old house
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One of Denmark’s oldest dated half‑timbered houses, this 1527 gem in Køge’s old town now hosts a cosy children’s library and atmospheric vaulted cellar.
Drikkevandpost - Havnen
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Drikkevandpost - Torvet 14
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Brønden på Køge Torv
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Lovparken
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Tidsrummet
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Mindesten for Elias Andersen
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Historic Gothic church in central Køge featuring an iconic spire, centuries-old interiors, Renaissance woodwork, remarkable maritime artwork, and peaceful churchyard.
Dyreskueplads
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Bronzestien - Køge Ås
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Køge Miniby
1.0 km
Step into Køge’s past at 1:10 scale, where hand-built model houses, harbour scenes and church spires recreate the market town of 1865 in a tranquil seaside garden.
Essential places to dine
Lucky Star
0.0 km
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The Green Corner
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Odd Fellowgaarden
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Cafe O'Flanagans
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Cozy Irish-inspired café-bar in central Køge, serving hearty brunches, burgers and beers from late morning coffee to lively late-night weekend drinks.
Café Liyana
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Family-run café-restaurant in Køge’s old town, known for generous burgers, easygoing atmosphere and all-day dining on historic, shop-lined Nørregade.
Siesta Prime Grill
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Casual grill house in the centre of Køge serving hearty Mediterranean‑inspired comfort food, ideal for laid‑back lunches, relaxed dinners and social evenings.
Halifax Burgers Køge
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Casual, contemporary burger hangout on Køge’s cultural square, serving customisable patties, vegan options and drinks with both indoor cosiness and sunny terraces.
Milas Pizza Køge
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Authentic pizzas and grilled fare in a welcoming Køge neighborhood spot.
Bone's Køge
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Family-friendly American BBQ in the heart of Køge, serving generous ribs, burgers and salad bar in a cosy, saloon-inspired setting ideal for relaxed group meals.
Cups 'n Cones Køge
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Handcrafted ice cream and frozen yogurt in the heart of Køge's historic town square.
Jenners Dockside
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Harborfront Danish dining in a yellow half-timbered house, combining smørrebrød, smoked seafood and sunny terrace views over Køge’s atmospheric old quay.
Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine Restaurant & Take Away
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Authentic Thai cuisine with generous portions on Køge harbour—casual, friendly, and excellent value.
Bløde Løg ApS
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Cozy Danish evening restaurant in central Køge, serving hearty classics, caramelised onions and unpretentious comfort in a warm, town‑center setting.
Skippers Dreng
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Casual harbourfront brasserie and bar in Køge, blending Danish comfort food, steaks and brunch with long, relaxed evenings by the waterfront.
Rib House Køge
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Strædet Køge
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Open-air shopping street in the heart of Køge, blending modern Scandinavian retail, cafés and everyday services with the charm of a historic Danish market town.
NORMAL Køge, Strædet
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VILA
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A light-filled Scandinavian fashion boutique in Køge’s old town, blending feminine everyday styles with relaxed, modern Nordic design.
JACK & JONES
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Straightforward Scandinavian menswear in Køge’s Strædet shopping street, with a strong focus on denim, casual basics and easy everyday style.
Uldahl
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A calm, Scandinavian-style women’s boutique in central Køge, offering curated wardrobe pieces, friendly guidance and an unhurried atmosphere on Jernbanegade.
Kings & Queens Køge
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Merkur
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Local women’s fashion on Jernbanegade, blending Scandinavian everyday style with the cozy, walkable charm of Køge’s historic town center.
Outlet Køge
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NYSTRUP & ØSKOV
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Pure Me
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Cosmo
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Bog & idé - Køge
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KLUD
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Ibsens Pub & Vinbar
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The Old Irish Pub
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Den høje stue
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RICHTERs Ølstue
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Café Asti
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Ellemarkens Bodega Drøvlen
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Grillen
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MC 19 Køge
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Charlie Chaplin
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Vinbaren Muicon
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Bykroen
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Roskilde Bodega
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
The Flame
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LUSIO
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Danseriet
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KB3
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The Union
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Casual
- Unique
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Pet Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
