The Blue Planet

The Blue Planet (Den Blå Planet) is the largest aquarium in Northern Europe and one of the most striking modern buildings in the Copenhagen area. Opened in 2013 on the waterfront at Kastrup, just south of the city, its silver, swirling form was designed to resemble a whirlpool — great arms spiralling out from a central vortex, echoing the endlessly moving water within. It is as much a piece of architecture as an aquarium.

Inside, some seven million litres of water are home to more than 20,000 fish and other marine animals, arranged across dozens of displays that carry you from cold Nordic seas to warm tropical oceans. The undisputed highlight is the vast Ocean tank, which holds around 4.1 million litres and is home to sharks and rays gliding past a huge curved viewing window. Elsewhere you can wander through a steamy tropical rainforest, meet colourful reef fish, and let children get hands-on at the interactive touch pools. Timing your visit around the daily feedings, at 1 pm and 3 pm, adds an extra thrill.

Admission is 195 DKK for adults and 110 DKK for children aged 3–11, and early mornings are the quietest time to visit. The aquarium's location makes it a perfect stop before or after a flight — it sits only about ten minutes from Copenhagen Airport. To get there, take the Metro (line M2) to Kastrup station and walk roughly ten minutes to the water's edge.