Eco‑friendly perks while travelling in Europe: Denmark's Copenhagen unique rewards for green tourists

Free lunch, kayaking, or maybe coffee on the city's dime? Authorities in Copenhagen have launched an initiative allowing tourists to enjoy free attractions. All you have to do is meet one condition.

The Wonderful Copenhagen tourist office has announced that the program promoting eco-friendly behaviors will run from July 15 to August 11.

Copenhagen attractions reward climate-friendly actions. Earn rewards at Copenhagen attractions ranging from a free lunch or a cup of coffee to a kayak tour or even a free entrance to a museum. All you need to do is, for instance, bike instead of drive, help maintain the city, work in an urban garden, or pledge to sustainable behaviour – stated Wonderful Copenhagen, the Denmark capital’s tourism office.

People who collect plastic waste and bring it to the National Gallery of Art will be able to participate in workshops, where they will turn trash into works of art.

Tourists who arrive by bike, bus, or train to the CopenHill power plant can ski for free on the artificial slope located on the building's roof. Meanwhile, those participating in a surfing lesson and cleaning up the beach can enjoy a free meal.

Eco-friendly tourist rewards may be granted if they show, for example, used public transportation tickets. The system is mainly based on trust.

"CopenPay encourages the use of bicycles, public transportation, and participation in environmental activities, which collectively reduce the city’s carbon emissions by promoting greener modes of transportation and waste reduction."

An online map of over 20 locations covered by the CopenPay program is available. Organizers emphasize that if the project proves successful, it may be implemented year-round.

According to visitcopenhage.pl, the list of free attractions includes, among other things, free coffee, vegetarian lunch, breakfast, kayaking, or a canal tour of Copenhagen.