The Lakes in Copenhagen (Danish: Søerne) in Copenhagen, Denmark is a row of 3 rectangular lakes curving around the western margin of the City Centre, forming one of the oldest and most distinctive features of the city's topography. The paths around them are popular with strollers and runners.

The area, which the lakes forms now, originally was one long stream area. It had an arch shape just outside the city levees. In the early Middle Ages, a need of water for watermills was established. As a result of this a dam was built and the Peblinge Sø was created.

As a result of a siege of Copenhagen in 1523, it was decided to expand the entrenchments in order to improve the fortifications of the city. The levee at Peblinge Sø was expanded and another was created, which resulted in the creation of Sortedams Sø. In the beginning of the 16th century, Sankt Jørgens Sø was created, as a result of further damming. Because of this the it was now possible to flood the banks and lakes in case of an attack.

Peblinge Sø and Sortedams Sø also served as reservoirs for the city and in the period 1705-1727 they were cleaned and dug deeper. The edges was also straightened, giving them their current shape. In the middle of the 18th century they were disbanded for water supply, because of poor quality of water. Instead Sankt Jørgens Sø was to be used for this and cleaned and straightened in a similar way to that of the two other lakes 120 years earlier. Until the end of World War II, it played a central role in as a reservoir in Copenhagen and as a backup reservoir until 1959.

The first Fredensbro was built across Sortedams Sø in 1878 as a small wooden bridge. The current Fredensbro is a wide levee, that separates the two basins. It was created in the period 1976-1977.

The vertical slopes in Peblinge Sø and Sortedams Sø was made in 1929, where the pathways surrounding the lakes also were made. In the 60's it was suggested to construct a four lane city ring (named Søringen) but the project was disbanded and the lakes received a status as protected area in 1966.

The landmark consist of three artificial lakes, which are divided into five basins:

Sankt Jørgens Sø (English: Saint George's Lake) is made of two basins (south and north) with the southernmost point at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium and northernmost point at Gyldenløvesgade (a continuation of H. C. Andersens Boulevard which passes the city hall square. The two basins are divided by levee that serves as a foundation for the street Kampmannsgade.

Peblinge Sø (English: Pebble Lake). A single basin between Gyldenløvesgade and Dronning Louises Bro (English: Queen Louise's Bridge), which is the continuation of Nørrebrogade. The word pebling means "pebble" or "gravel" and was used metaphorically for any student in the elementary and secondary schools in Denmark during the time when the church was the sole provider of education.

Sortedams Sø (English: Black Pond Lake or Black Dam Lake) consists of two basins (north and south). The southernmost point is by the Dronning Louises Bro, while the northernmost is by Østerbro. The lakes are separated by Fredensbro (English: Bridge of the Peace).

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