Home to Denmark’s national aquarium, this suburb in southern Copenhagen also has an attractive coastline, nature trails and an open-air swimming pool.
Kastrup’s centerpiece attraction is the modern national aquarium of Denmark. Now a residential suburb in the southern corner of Copenhagen, Kastrup grew up around an 18th-century limestone plant that triggered the region’s start of industrial development. Today, enjoy the neighborhood’s beaches, parks and views across the Øresund Sound toward Sweden.
Start your visit at The Blue Planet aquarium, with an architecturally impressive building that mimics the currents of a whirlpool. Discover 20,000 animals and over 50 aquariums here. Come face-to-face with alligators, hammerhead sharks, sea snakes and piranhas. Test your intelligence against an octopus and watch sea otters being fed.
Walk to nearby Kastrup Værk, a former limestone plant that later became a brewery. The restored buildings serve as a reminder of the industrial past while some have been converted into cafés and residential properties.
As is common throughout Copenhagen, in Kastrup you are never far from green spaces and water. Go to Kastrup Søbad to have fun at a seawater swimming pool and diving boards. Sit on the sandy cove and enjoy views of the glistening Øresund Sound and Saltholm Island. Stroll north along the coastline to Amager Strandpark, a manmade beach park and popular summer hangout.
Find more natural attractions at Kalvebod Fælled, a vast area of parks, lakes and wetlands. At the Naturcenter Amager, learn about the area’s wildlife and rent bikes. Afterward, spot varied water fowl as you follow the well-marked trails and bike paths.
Denmark’s principal airport, Copenhagen Airport, is located in Kastrup. Travel between this suburb and the city center by public buses, trains and the metro. Alternatively, rent a bike and get to Kastrup via the city’s designated bike lanes.
Kastrup’s location makes it perfect for visiting Dragør. This pretty village is famous for its cobblestone streets framed by cozy cafés and yellow-painted houses with red-tiled roofs.
