10 things to look forward to in 2022

1. Denmark will host the Grand Départ for Tour de France

With capital Copenhagen topping the bike-friendly rankings and more than 12,000 km of bike paths, Denmark is known for its strong cycling culture. In July, the country will have the honor of hosting the start of the world’s most prestigious cycling race, the Tour de France. The Grand Départ will take place in the cycling capital of them all, Copenhagen. The second stage will go through Roskilde and Nyborg and the third stage will go from Vejle to Sønderborg. A great opportunity, to explore some of the many wonders Denmark has to offer.
 

2. New hotels opening in Copenhagen

Great news from the Copenhagen Hotel scene. In ultimo May, Scandic will open their biggest hotel to date, the Scandic Spectrum, with specialty restaurants, a sky bar and a 25 meter swimming pool. In June, Scandic Nørreport will welcome guests to a cozy 100-bedroom hotel, that has magnificent views of the city center, from the rooftop terrace, sky bar and restaurant. Opening right next to the iconic Round Tower in March is 25Hours Hotel Indre By. The hotel will offer 243 rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a pastry shop all located in the buildings formerly housing the Copenhagen University Faculty of Law. In Østerbro neighborhood, the new Villa Canada will allow guests to book the whole former Canadian embassy for parties or a stay in extreme luxury.  

3. New museum telling remarkable stories on refugees in Denmark

From 1945-49 Oksbøl in South Jutland housed the largest refugee camp in Denmark. FLUGT Danish Refugee Museum, opening in the summer of 2022, will dive into the incredible and thought-provoking stories and lives of the refugees. Renowned Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group, BIG, are behind the transformation of the building, which used to house German refugees following WWII. The museum will tell stories about the German refugees in 1945, as well as the Vietnamese, Bosnian and Syrian refugees who have come to Denmark in recent years.

4. Design Museum reopens after years of renovation

Design Museum Denmark has been closed due to a major renovation of the museum buildings, and reimagining of the museum experience. After two years, the museum will welcome visitors in June 2022 for a new and improved experience, containing new exhibitions and audience spaces . The crumbling basement floors are being restored, using the iconic tiles and original drawings from Kaare Klint’s 1920s transformation project. Pediments and sandstone decorations on the building’s exterior will also be restored to their former glory.

5. Explore the Carlsberg City, Copenhagen’s upcoming neighborhood

In December 2021, the renowned art gallery von Bartha opened in the Carlsberg Lighthouse. This is just the latest of many recent addition to the Copenhagen area founded by the famous Carlsberg brewery. Located south-west of Copenhagen’s city center, it is fast becoming a pocket-sized city break destination in itself with the award-winning  boutique hotel Ottilia and AIRE Ancient baths Copenhagen as well restaurants like KŌNĀ by former noma chef Philipp Inreiter and shopping at Henrik Vibskov’s Rabbit Hole.

6. ENIGMA – Museum of Communications opens in Copenhagen

ENIGMA is a new, interactive museum of communication set to open in the Østerbro neighborhood of Copenhagen 22 September.  The museum is grown from the former Post & telegraph Museum, which closed down in 2015. The new museum will tell stories about the present and future of topics like surveillance, digital communication and fake news. In the four opening exhibitions, “Communication in Crisis” focuses on communication from the aspect of war and crises. “Hands on!” explores innovation and creativity based on communication. “Arcade” exhibits digital games and a real-life arcade. “World” is a playground for the youngest, with different digital screens to discover.

7. Easier access to Bornholm 

The largest high-speed ferry in the world, Express 5, will be taking visitors to the Danish island of Bornholm, starting at the end of 2022. The new ferry, with a capacity of 1,610 passengers, is built with top modern technology, and with an environmentally friendly mindset. On Bornholm, consider staying in the new carbon negative wing at Green Solution House opening ultimo 2021.

8. New under-ground Cold War museum opening 

Deep in Rold Skov Forest in North Jutland, 200 feet beneath the surface, lies one of Denmark’s best kept secrets. The Cold War bunker REGAN Vest, built in the 1960s. In 2022 it will open to the public, as a museum, designed to convey the stories of its time. The impressive 5,500 square meter bunker, will be the focal point of the museum, where visitors can experience the original interior, from the ministers and doctors office to the dormitory. This is a unique opportunity, as other government facilities around the world, have been stripped of their original inventory. Above the surface is the visitor, and exhibition building, built as four black boxes, designed by AART architect, with among other a virtual activity, that lets visitors experience how the bunker and the surrounding landscape, would look after a new clear bomb. The parcel villa, where the supervisor and his family lived, is also being restored to its 1980 glory, giving visitors a look into the everyday life of that time.

9. Sleep next to a tiger, if you dare

Knuthenborg Safaripark is Northern Europe’s biggest safari park with over a thousand animals representing approximately 32 different species. Starting spring 2022, the park will offer guests the exciting opportunity to spend the night in Camp Zov Tigra, located in Europe’s biggest tiger forest. There is only one other place in the world, where you can wake up with roaring tigers like this. With only a window between you, you’ll get unique insight into the lives of these beautiful striped predators in their home and on their natural terms, highlighting the strong focus Tiger Forest has on animal welfare. Knuthenborg Camp offers various safari-stays, so if you prefer to wake up to pensioned circus elephants, monkeys, giraffes and other safari animals, you’re in great luck! The glamping tents and cabins can be booked on their website.

10. O/ Day Festival taking over Refshaleøen

Go dance from sunrise to sunset, soaking in the best of Copenhagen, at the first ever O/Day Festival, 11-13 August 2022. For three days, 15.000 people will have the opportunity to let loose to electronic music, experience a great gastronomic scene and unique art installations. The creators behind it, the Danish brewery ÅBEN, envisions a festival that will bring people together, through new experiences. O takes place at the buzzing Refshaleøen, a former industrial area, now a hip cultural hob, with restaurants, bars, recreation areas, galleries and art museums. Aside from this new festival, 2022 is also expected be the year where many of the big festival, like Roskilde Festival, finally return.