Why Dragør is the Perfect Day-trip from Copenhagen
How to Have the Perfect Dragør day-trip from Copenhagen
If you’re looking to get out of Copenhagen for the day, one of my favourite places to visit is Dragør. A day-trip to Dragør from Copenhagen offers a charming escape to one of Denmark’s best-preserved fishing villages, and it’s only a short bus ride away from Copehagen’s busy city centre. Known for its cobblestone streets, 18th-century fisherman cottages, and views over the Øresund Strait towards Sweden, Dragør offers visitors a taste of traditional Danish life.
Dragør Day-trip Guide
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Historic Overview of Dragør
Dragør was founded in the 1100s as a fishing village and it was used as a fishing port for centuries. In the Middle Ages, Dragør was an international marketplace for the Hanseatic merchants who came here from August to October to take part in the herring trade.
Dragør is particularly known for its Dutch influence because the Danish king Christian II invited Dutch farmers to live here to supply food for the royal family in the 16th century. The Dutch were more agriculturally advanced than the Danish, and they actually introduced carrots to Denmark. King Christian II also wanted to reform Danish society according to Dutch ideals, and he awarded the Dutch settlers with higher status than other peasants on the islands of Amager.
The Dutch settled in the nearby village of Store Magleby, which the bus goes through on its way in/out of Dragør. The village has a distinct Dutch look because of this history. You can learn more about the Dutch history of the region by visiting the Amager Museum, which is located in an old Dutch farm from the 16th century. Here you learn more about the Dutch who settled in this part of Denmark and what life was like at the time.
Dutch and Low German were spoken in this region until the 19th century. The Dutch immigrants were talented and hardworking. They were particularly known for catching, salting and selling eel to the Netherlands and England. Dragør was a convenient harbour for them, and it’s assumed that the Dutch built the harbour here. For a long time, Dragør was the largest harbour out of Copenhagen.
Today the population is 12,000. The name Dragør is made up of two words: “Drag” means “dragging boats ashore”, which “ør” is a common Scandinavian word for a beach covered in sand or gravel.
Walking Around
The Picturesque Streets
Dragør is a great place to explore on foot. You’ll notice (in the old town) that the houses are built in rows going east-west and the gardens are all facing south. The streets are all bisected with alleys going north-south. Most houses were built by the master builder J.H. Blichmann. His houses were built during the economically successful era of Dragør’s shipping during the second half of the 18th century. The houses have a black tarred base, with yellow-rendered walls and red-tiled roofs. Some older houses have thatched roofs. The houses blend Danish and Dutch influence.
Many of the street names resemble the Hanseatic and Dutch influence on the town. For example, you’ll find Lubeck Alley, Szczecin Alley, Kampensgade and Hollandsfed.
One of the most picturesque places in Dragør is Jens Eyberts Square. It is named after a skipper who lived in number 6 on the square from 1756 to 1811 and his living room has been perfectly preserved and transferred to Dragør Museum. There is a well in the centre of the square, and this was the towns only source of drinking water until the 1800s.
Museums
While in Dragør, you can also visit the local history museum to learn more about the unique history and traditions of this fishing town. At the visitors centre you can pick up some maps. Dragør Museum is by the harbour in one of the oldest houses in town from 1753. Close by you’ll find Mølsted Atelier, which is probably Denmark’s smallest art gallery. On display are the works of maritime painter Christian Mølsted, who was active throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can also visit the Pilot Museum (Lodsmuseum), which is located in an old tower and showcases the everyday life of a pilot as well as how to pilot a ship. Next to the museum is a 15 metre high pilot tower that was built in 1912.
By the Harbour
After exploring the narrow streets of the old town, head down to the harbour. This is where you’ll find many restaurants. This is also one of the oldest ports in Denmark and has been strategically important for centuries. From the herring trade in the Middle Ages to naval activity and escape in World War II, the port is fascinating.
One of the ships docked in the harbour was involved in evacuating Jews out of Denmark into safe and neutral Sweden. The ship is called the Elisabeth K571 and it is one of the few known remaining ships in Denmark that participated in the transport of refugees from occupied Denmark to neutral Sweden in October 1943.
Lunch Spots
Bakeries
Dragør is home to a good selection of bakeries, so you will not be going hungry on your visit! I particularly like Cafe Hallöy and Lagkagehuset, both of which have a good selection of pastries, sandwiches, and excellent coffee! In summer Vaffelbageren Nyhavn (Dragør) is open, which has ice cream and waffles.
Restaurants
When in Dragør, one of the best places to go is the local seafood place – Dragør Røgeri. This seafood shop is located by the harbour and this is where you’ll find the locals buying various types of seafood. They also cook the seafood on request, and here I recommend getting the fish and chips. You can also find Dragør Strandhotel by the harbour. This hotel has a restaurant inside with excellent seafood options.
Exploring Beyond the Town
Walking Trails
If you’re looking to go for a nice walk, you can head to Dragør fortress just outside the town centre. The fortress was built in 1910 but is now privately owned and has been turned into a hotel, so it’s also a place where you can stay. From the top of the fort you get excellent views out to the water.
To get here, there’s a trail that goes along the waterfront. If you have a clear day, you’ll be able to see the Øresund Bridge that connects Denmark to Sweden.
After Dragør Fort you’ll pass the Goose Republic. This inland area is where the geese of Dragør live. What am I talking about? Well, I explain that in the next section.
Further out is the Amarminoen Walk, which will take you out to the nature park on Amager (the island Dragør is on). The walk takes between five and seven hours, so be prepared for a full day trip.
Goose Republic
As you walk around Dragør, you’ll see geese everywhere. Not real ones, but rather little statues or paintings in peoples homes, shops and cafes. But in older times you would’ve seen real geese roaming the streets.
For centuries the locals kept geese almost as pets. The geese would often live in the house under kitchen tables or beds. During the day, they would freely roam the streets.
Today geese aren’t allowed to live in peoples homes, so they’ve moved out to this flat section and it has earned the nickname ‘Goose Republic’ from the locals. The geese are still important to the town and have their own little village. You can go and take a look and it’s worth it, especially in spring and summer when the goslings have hatched.
Swimming
If you want to try something a little more unique, it’s possible to go for a swim at the Dragør Sjøbad. There are separate male and female sections for nude bathing as well as mixed platforms where families and couples can swim (with bathers on, of course). The pool is open all year round.
Otherwise, close by Dragør Sjøbad is a swimming beach called Mormorstranden (literally ‘Grandma’s Beach’ when translated). This is a popular spot with the locals in the summer time.
Getting Here
Dragør is located right next to the airport and it takes about 45 minutes to get here from Copenhagen City Centre. There are two ways to get here:
Bus 250S goes from outside Copenhagen Central Station (stop name: Hovedbanegården Tivoli Bernstorftsgade) direct to Dragør. The trip takes approx. 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the train to Tårnby Station and take bus 250S from there.
It’s recommended to have the Copenhagen Card because that makes all public transportation free.
You can take the metro to Copenhagen Airport, and then from there you can take bus 35 to Dragør.
It is also possible to get to Dragør by bike. You can rent a bike easily in Copenhagen with apps like Donkey Republic, Tier or Bolt. It will take up to an hour to cycle to Dragør, depending on which part of the city you’re cycling from. The best bike route to take is Bicycle Route 80 – this route goes around the island of Amager and starts in Copenhagen.
Final Thoughts on Dragør Day-Trip
Hopefully I’ve managed to convince you that Dragør is a lovely spot to spend the day! Despite being so close to Copenhagen, it feels so remote and peaceful. The village is incredibly charming, and there are lovely walking trails for you to do as well.
Enjoy your visit to Dragør!
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