Swim By Night Lighthouse

The Swim By Night Lighthouse 2026, scheduled for September 13, takes place in the coastal waters of Klampenborg. Organised by SvømDanmark, this annual event challenges participants to navigate the waters of the Øresund strait under the cover of darkness. The race logistics are designed to accommodate the specific maritime conditions of this stretch of coastline, which served as a vital defense sector during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Swimmers start near the location of the historic Hvidøre Battery, a defensive site established in 1892 to protect the coast from naval incursions; today, the brick ammunition magazine with the label 'HVIDØRE' remains a tangible marker on the shoreline.

Historical coastal markers

As you sight your line, you move past the architectural legacy of the area, most notably the work of Arne Jacobsen. His influence is felt in the functionalist design of the nearby Bellevue Beach facilities and the distinctive 1938 Skovshoved Petrol Station, whose projecting canopy is locally referred to as 'The Mushroom'. The waters you traverse have long been a focal point for those seeking both health and defense. Near the entry point, one can trace the legacy of the 'Klampenborg Vandkur-, Brønd- og Badeanstalt', Denmark's first water cure institution, which began operations in 1845. The area also hosts the historic Sølyst estate, which has served as the headquarters for the Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society since 1949, a group whose traditions extend back to the 'Hellig Trefoldigheds Lav' recorded as early as 1443. For those looking for further challenges in the region, the TrygFonden Christiansborg Rundt offers a different urban swimming experience in late August, contrasting with the open coastal nature of this lighthouse-focused event.