Charlottenlund

Just north of Copenhagen is the leafy, affluent coastal suburb of Charlottenlund, with a small, appealing beach that gets predictably crowded on sunny weekends. A little farther north is Charlottenlund Slot (Charlottenlund Palace), a graceful mansion that has housed various Danish royals since the 17th century. The castle isn't open to the public, but the surrounding peaceful palace gardens are open to all, and Copenhageners enjoy coming up here for weekend ambles and picnics.