A hugely successful initiative by the city of Copenhagen – urging green travelers with perks to return rewards to return for their second summer and follow in the rest of the country. The CopenPay program is a system that we are grateful for making eco-friendly decisions, such as riding trains, walking, riding bikes (bicycle-friendly cities have four times more bikes than cars), and environmentally friendly activities.
“It spreads out like an underwater ring,” says Mads Osterguard, visiting Denmark. “Over 100 destinations have contacted Copenhagen about the program.”
Consisting almost entirely of islands, Denmark is one of the most sustainable and socially responsible countries in the world, recognised for its innovative and progressive approach to renewable energy and climate change adaptation. There is Green Kayak, a nonprofit that freely lends kayaks to anyone willing to remove trash from Copenhagen Canal, with ski slopes on recycled steel, concrete and aluminum buildings. So it’s no surprise that Denmark’s biggest cities are encouraging visitors to make green travel decisions.
CopenPay, which runs until August 17th, is simple yet effective. To participate, check the program’s website for activities and rewards. Next, if you want to redeem the perks, provide evidence of participation in a qualified activity (for example, clean your train ticket or your own photo). And in return, each business pays a free perk.
This year, the program runs twice as long and offers four times more attractions to choose from. Options include three new important additions aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions. Rewards for travelers staying in the city for at least four nights, or arrives by electric car or train (partnership between Deutsche Bahn of Germany and Snälltåget of Sweden). Train trips, for example, attract tourists a free community dinner hosted by Junk Food, a charity from Rasmus Mank, which has two Michelin stars and a Michelin green star.
This summer’s Copen Pie edition focuses on reducing crowds by encouraging visitors to reach less travelled destinations outside the city centre. For example, riding a bike or public transport provides free access to Shakespeare’s Hamlet home, the UNESCO Castle of Cronborg, in the coastal town of Elsinore.
Other new discounts and giveaways run the realm, from sustainability lectures at the University of Copenhagen to yoga sessions under the palm trees at Crowne Plaza Copenhagen, to guided tours at the Carlsberg Brewery (Sister of the Underground Arts Space) and the Danish Architector Centre, among 100 different Copenhagen experiences. Additionally, all sponsors from last summer, including ski slopes in Copenhill and paddling rentals for green kayaks, have been carried over.
With expectations far surpassing 5,000 participants and 30% increase in bike rentals last summer, CopenPay’s success speaks a lot about the global shift towards sustainable travel.
“Copenpay sparked a global conversation about the future of conscious tourism,” says Rikke Holm Petersen, director of marketing, communications and behavior at the city’s tourism agency Wonderful Copenhagen.
Denmark has previously received Sustainability Awards, with two islands, Bornholm and Samso, previously named the most sustainable islands by the European Union. Through Copenpie, environmentally friendly Danes share their lifestyles with their visitors. And do you know who doesn’t love the prizes and that you contributed to helping the planet?
This article was originally published in July 2024 and was recently updated on July 8, 2025 using current information.
