To many people, holidays by the sea are what summer holidays are all about. Water, fresh air and lovely beaches. Denmark has all these ingredients along its almost 7,300km coastline. Danish beaches naturally vary in character, with plenty of space both for the loner and those who are more sociable and enjoy the fun and pleasure of a day at a popular beach.

The most impressive beaches are on the west coast of Jutland from Skagen in the north to Rømø in the south. The North Sea provides a constantly changing setting - breakers one minute and as calm as a millpond the next.
The beaches are large and wide with lovely fine sand and sand dunes that give shelter and warmth. But be careful - the sea, though tempting, can have strong currents just in under the waterline. Therefore: never bathe alone, and watch children all the time.

Limfjorden and the east coast of Jutland, i.e. the coast of Kattegat, are milder and the beaches are therefore safer for small children. North and West Jutland also have lovely beaches with beautiful white sand, just like the south coast of Lolland and Falster. Bornholm, a rocky island, is terrific for bathing and also has the loveliest sandy beach at Due peninsula on the southern side of the island.

Copenhagen has plenty of beaches suitable for bathing just north, south and east of the city. To the north, Charlottenlund Strandbad and Bellevue Strand shimmer with life on hot days and 10km south of the city, Køge Bugt Strandpark is a large recreation area on a 7km stretch of sandy beach. You also have bathing possibilities right in the middle of Copenhagen. One is the bathing platform situated at Islands Brygge at the foot of Langebro, across the Merriott Hotel. The other is the bathing platform moored at Fisketorvet on the opposite side of the harbour entrance. Bathing is permitted when the green flag flies over the life guard tower. Latest newcomer to the bathing scene in the Copenhagen east area is the new Amager Strand Park at Amager Strandvej, complete with paddling pools, lacunas, canals, bridges and dunes. You reach this new exciting beach either at Italiensvej or at Hedegårdsvej.

Bathing is banned at only a few places on the Danish coast, e.g. in harbours and places with strong currents. Sea or beach pollution can also warrant temporary bathing bans, and notices are then clearly displayed.