Botanisk Have

The Botanical Garden is undergoing careful reconstruction (compl. 2012) but remains open to the public. The park was created on Copenhagen's old defences. It's a peaceful park (current reconstruction aside) despite its central location.

In winter, a visit inside the beautiful glasshouse Palmehuset (the palm house) will get you properly warmed up. The spiral staircase will lead you 20 metres up to the top of the glass dome.

If you feel inspired to do a little gardening yourself, stop by the flower shop where they sell a selection of the 13,000(!) plant species that the garden houses. In the summer season, the outdoor cafe is also open (when the weather allows).

Free entrance.

2B Øster Farimagsgade, 1353 København K. Entrance to the garden from Øster Farimagsgade and Gothersgade (the corner of Øster Voldgade).

Tel.: 3532 2222

Email: snm@snm.ku.dk

Open: Summer (May-Sep) 8:30-18, winter (Oct-Apr) Tue-Sun 8:30-16. Palmehuset is open 10-15 every day, though closed on Mondays in the winter season.

Krak map

Google map

Øbro-hallen - more than just a swimming pool

The bottom floor of the Øbro-hallen swimming facility houses the "Kurbad", the public baths/spa facility. Here you will find everything you need to thaw out. You can treat yourself to total relaxation at an affordable price.

The entrance to the Kurbad gives you access to the Turkish bath, sauna, communal sauna, spa pool, light room, infrared sauna, hot-water pool and of course the swimming facilities. In addition to this you can buy extra products such as bath salts/sugars, a whole catalogue of aroma/detox baths (book in advance, tel. 3525 7060) and steam sauna.

The entrance is DKK 104, the steam sauna an extra DKK 33 and the aroma bath an extra DKK 56.

Massage (does not include entrance) is DKK 250 for 25 min. or DKK 450 for 50 minutes. (Book in advance, tel. 2621 7062 or online here.)

Note! To use the lockers in the men's changing room you need a 20 kroner coin, in the ladies' changing room it's a 10 kroner coin. Minimum age for the public baths is 15 years. Steam bath and shower area segregated. Swimwear required.

3 Gunnar Nu Hansens Plads, 2100 København Ø

Tel.: 3525 7060

Email: obro_hallen@kff.kk.dk

Open: Mon 12-20, Tue 7-10, Wed 10-20, Thur 12-20, Fri 7-21, Sat + Sun 9-15

Krak map

Google map

Chilly, isn't it?

The meteorologists keep telling us that it will get warmer, but the frost giants seem reluctant to leave. The temperature is currently tap-dancing around freezing point, and I for one am impatiently waiting for the day when I can leave my home without wearing a long wool coat and big boots.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not on the verge of a winter depression. The light is coming back (almost 4 hrs more daylight, yay!), we've had some beautiful sunny days, and I have enjoyed my share of hot drinks and warm blankets. But enough already. Cold is getting old.

If you also need to thaw out and forget about winter, I have some suggestions.

February food festival

On Saturday 19 February at noon, you can line up in front of Huks Fluks in Gråbrødre Torv to get a slice of barbecued Swedish wild boar with bread and salad for DKK 75. Mmm, roast boar - I can almost taste it...

Read about other festival events here.

Krak map
Google map

Huks Fluks

Gråbrødre Torv - my favourite square