The Lakes, Copenhagen

The Lakes, Copenhagen are a set of three connected water basins located along the western boundary of the city centre, forming a clear division between older neighbourhoods and newer districts. Each basin sits in a rectangular frame and runs parallel to tree-lined paths, creating a continuous green corridor through the urban fabric.

In the 16th century, dams were built to capture water from a natural stream, creating a system that powered mills and reinforced the defensive perimeter of the growing city. When the fortifications were dismantled in the 19th century, the water bodies were gradually reshaped into a public amenity integrated with the expanding urban parks.

The lakes function as a central gathering space where residents participate in outdoor activities throughout the seasons, from summer picnics to winter skating.

A continuous path measuring roughly 6.4 kilometres loops around all three water bodies and works well for walking, jogging, or cycling at any time of day. Several bridges link the banks and let you adjust your route or cut across to explore different sections of the waterfront.

Sortedams Sø holds two small islands, Fiskeøen and Fugleøen, set aside as protected nesting sites for local water birds. From the waterside path you can spot these islands easily, especially in spring when many birds gather to raise their young.