By Rudy Cone, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

The Economist has just rated Copenhagen the 8^th most expensive city to live in the world, ahead of other notoriously pricey cities like San Francisco and London. If you are thinking of studying in Copenhagen, this may sound daunting. And I won’t lie to you– it is expensive here. The price of a single metro ticket or a weekly grocery shop does occasionally bring a tear to my eye.

However, Copenhagen also ranks as the 2^nd best city to live in the world. This is largely due to its rich culture and environment, much of which costs little to enjoy. To settle your anxieties around affording to experience Copenhagen to its fullest, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite budget-friendly things to do in Copenhagen.

Swimming

When I first arrived, biking to the various swimming spots around the city was the best way to get to know my way around. Copenhagen is full of beautiful docks, open to the public. The two favourites I have visited are Islands Brygge Harbour Bath (also opposite Kalvebod Bølge) and Sandkaj Badezone in Nordhavn.

While not completely free, my favourite way to spend a warm day in Copenhagen is to bike out to Refshaleøn and snag a spot on the private dock at La Banchina (a café and restaurant). By buying food and drinks, you can spend all day sunbathing and dipping. It’s even open in winter, with a winter bathing offer on Sundays that includes access to their sauna for ~£10.

Cold Dip Club

Swimming in Copenhagen can even help you find a community. Cold Dip Club hold weekly meetups at 7.30am at Nordhavn Sandkaj, for a swim and chance to meet new people. A big incentive to this chilly wake-up is the free coffee from Dockside Café to warm up after! Through joining this club, I have also attended other non-swimming events they organise, like their move night for ~£9.

Museums

One thing I really admire about Copenhagen is its many events throughout the year that allow you access to hundreds of museums, art galleries, and other cultural institutions for free.

SMK Fridays

The coolest free event I’ve attended has to be an SMK night. Seven Fridays a year, the National Gallery of Denmark (SMK) hosts a free after-hours event showcasing Copenhagen’s art scene. This included a performance from the Danish Dance Theatre. I also got to see unique exhibitions, such as the works of German social protest artist Käthe Kollwitz-Mensch, and the Against all Odds exhibition highlighting Nordic female artists from 1870-1910.

K7 Week

K7 week is another brilliant initiative offered in Denmark, providing young people access to over 200 cultural events. While completely free, you must sign up for a K7 card. Using my card, I visited Nikolaj Kunsthal, a modern art gallery housed in one of Copenhagen’s oldest churches, and the Danish Architecture Centre.

Kulternatten

Although I regret to say I missed Copenhagen’s annual culture night (Kulturnatten), it is a brilliant opportunity for those of you visiting in Autumn semester. For ~£14, you can purchase a Culture Night pass, which grants you free public transportation and admission to all events. This might include after-hours visits to Copenhagen Zoo, or a tour of the Carlsberg brewery.

Glyptoteket

While I am saving my visit for second semester, I also worth mentioning that the Glyptoteket offers free admission on the last Wednesday of each month.

Bastard Café

Around the city, board games cafés, like Bastard Café, are the perfect places to socialise. Students get a 50% discount on food and drinks, and many of the board games are free to play. I’ve had some great nights here in first semester, being taught to play Danish board games by some local Danish guys and getting to know others through fun conversation card games.

Christiana

If you are looking for a cheap activity when friends visit, Christiana is a particular favourite of mine.

Freetown Christiana is a controversial anarchist neighbourhood in Copenhagen, with a history of rebellion against the state. Technically, it is not even part of the EU! Interestingly, I also recently found out that it is where singer Lukas Graham (“7 years”, “Mama Said”) grew up and wrote the song “Mama Said” about his experiences.

Beyond its history, you can see lots of colourful street art, and unique cafés and shops. Be sure to look out for signs indicating where photography is allowed, and stay vigilant of crime.

Friday Bars

A big tradition and key part of the culture in Denmark is Friday Bars. Kind of like a temporary version of 532 Bar + Kitchen on Manchester’s campus, on Friday evenings these student-run bars pop up all around the University of Copenhagen Campuses. Here, students, faculty and staff socialise together inexpensively. It’s a quintessential part of being a University of Copenhagen student.

Mentor Events

I also really recommend signing up for the Mentor Programme. At the start of the semester, Danish students hold events to help you settle into the university’s social life and into life in Copenhagen more broadly. Through these events, I met other exchange students, many of whom ended up being in my classes. You are also given delicious free food! Some events even happen outside of the university, such as being given a free meal from Reffen Street Food Market.

Living in Copenhagen on a student budget may seem intimidating, but with so many free and affordable activities available, it is entirely possible to maximise your study abroad experience without breaking the bank. This semester, I’ve learnt that by shifting focus from the high cost of living and embracing new experiences beyond your comfort zone, you can truly expand your horizons and immerse yourself in all this city has to offer. So, whether you’re cold dipping or museum hopping, you’ll quickly see that the magic of Copenhagen is well within reach – if you know where to look!