Seeing and Doing
Discover a small gem where the locals enjoy taking a stroll surrounded by flowers and beautiful waterfalls hidden away just to the left of one of the city’s largest parks, Frederiksberg Gardens. Best enjoyed during summer when nature is in full bloom, The Garden Company dates back to 1880 with a 20,000 m2 collection of independent gardens. You can also take a detour via the opulent Frederiksberg Palace where you can peek into the royal apartments.
Get lost in The Botanical Garden, and don’t forget to visit the magical butterfly house, tucked away and open during the warmer months.
Right next door, you will find the country’s largest museum of art, SMK (Statens Museum for Kunst). It also houses The Royal Cast Collection in a separate warehouse on the harbour where you can be privy to iconic works of art including Michelangelo’s Medici Madonna and even the hand of the Statue of Liberty herself. The collection includes over 2,500 plaster casts taken from sculptures from all of Europe and it’s the largest collection of its kind. (Make sure to book an appointment in advance.)
We can never resist a little occult sightseeing, so take a wander around the peaceful Assistens Cemetery, an important green space as well as the burial site of many Danish notables. During Spring, be sure to catch the cherry blossoms at the Bispebjerg Cemetery, when they form a soft pink tunnel you can walk through.
Whether you are in the mood for walking, running, skiing or seeing, CopenHill is a must-see when you hit Copenhagen. Designed by the world famous and award winning Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, known
for his far out and futuristic creations, CopenHill is a multi-use waste-to-energy plant with an artificial ski slope, which can also be used for hiking and climbing.
Spend a day on the canal by experiencing Copenhagen by boat. Psst! You can rent one at Islands Brygge, a cultural area where a lot of the Danes enjoy their picnics and even swim in the harbor in
the summertime!
Upon entering Freetown Christiania, a carved sign reads: You Are Now Leaving the European Union. The atmosphere combines a Hans Christian Andersen tale with Woodstock vibes.
Explore eco/vegan finds at Sundhedshuset, and unwind with an affordable sauna session at Badehuset Spa.
Follow Nørrebrogade to the area called Nordvest, where in an unassuming block of flats, you’ll find The Barbie Museum. The wonderfully kitsch exhibition, home to a collection of over 4,000 different Barbies,
is the creation of dedicated doll aficionado Lene Darlie Pedersen. Make sure to make an appointment before your visit.
In Vesterbro, otherwise known as the Meatpacking District, you’ll find SPACE10, an innovation hub, and research and design center to explore. While you are in the area, try to find the old brown church and hang out at Absalons where you can play bingo, pay 7€ ( ! ) to see a Royal Ballet Show, and dine with the locals for 5€.
On a rainy day head to the old bath houses of Copenhagen for a soak or a midnight steam. The Danish capital is full of atmospheric spas and old bath houses – ranging from the budget-friendly to the more
extravagant. Listen to classical tunes while soaking in the communal spirit of Denmark at Sjællandsgade Bad, a 100-year old bath house (costs 60 DKK per hour).
Spend a romantic evening in an outdoor hot tub overlooking the water and the reflections of twinkly city lights at CopenHot, which will keep you toasty even during the Nordic winter months. Best to book 24 hours in advance.
Autumn and winter can be challenging in Denmark, and even active Copenhagen residents consider staying indoors with a board game and a hot drink. Head to Bastard Café, located at HUSET in the old town, where there are more than a whopping 3,800 board games waiting for you to play with.
Nordhavn is an up and coming district sequestered on an old industrial harbor. It has become a hot spot for architecture, art and design workshops and show rooms, quirky projects, as well as trendy restaurants. Check out the beautiful and experimental concept space The Audo. Nordhavn is worth a visit all year round, and in the summer there are lots watersports activities to try your hand at.
Follow this trail for some architectural sightings or try a more historical route trail around Kastellet where you’ll find grand buildings from the 17th century.
Take the metro into the city and get off at Rådhuspladsen where you’ll find Denmark’s largest museum, the National History Museum. You can spend hours uncovering cultural and historical treasures. The museum also has other centers such as the Geological Museum which is home to Ole Worm’s Cabinet of Curiosities
At the heart of the Glyptotek art museum (only Northern Europe’s largest collection of Ancient Mediterranean art) is the highly photogenic 1906 sub-tropical winter garden with tall palm trees, a fountain and a fish pool.
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is an oasis located right next to Humblebæk station, an easy train ride about 45 minutes out of the city.
Explore the Copenhagen Round Tower.
Dronning Louises Bro is where all the summer hangouts happen and it’s the perfect place for a relaxed picnic and a spot of people watching.
If you are looking for the best vintage stores in Copenhagen, put Larsbjørnsstræde Street in the city centre at the top of your list. Find the lesser known gem where you can pick up vintage design pieces
like swanky Bauhaus lamps, called LebenCph. København K is another favourite filled with clothes and other zany miscellanea, hidden in a small courtyard. For good men’s Nordic style clothes, Han Kjøbenhavn is a go-to.
Eating and Drinking
You can’t leave Copenhagen without trying one of their traditional classics ‘Smørrebrød’, tasty open sandwiches made with sweet, dark bread, a good spread of butter and your favourite toppings – cold
meats, cheeses and spreads. Usually they’re made with fresh local ingredients and are a colourful feast for the eyes. If you try them in one place, make it Torvehallerne
An old-fashioned spot for delicious traditional Danish food is Kanal Cafeen, tucked along the canal behind the Parliament building. Once you step down the small set of stairs to the restaurant, you’ll feel like you’re entering a time capsule. During the warmer months when the weather is nice, they also have a terrace outside right on the water.
The best street food awaits at Reffen, which is best enjoyed during the summer, especially as it’s right by the harbor.
While visiting Freetown Christiania, enjoy an organic veggie meal at Grøntsagen.
Tommi’s Burger Joint in the Meatpacking District is always buzzing with locals and makes for the perfect hangover cure.
Seek out the picturesque Boltens Foodcourt, set in a charming courtyard offering delicious street food from around the world under the string lights.
Nørrebro is a great multiethnic and polycultural area, and it has the city’s cosiest bars, restaurants, restaurants, vintage shops and niche wine bars lying neck and neck. The entire street of Værnedamsvej, also known as the French street in Copenhagen, is full of great spots. Falernum is a really great place to eat or just enjoy a glass of wine whenever (it’s a local favourite). You can also try the best falafel in town at The Falafel Factory which has a plant based menu. Listen to live jazz music while sipping on a delicious Italian wine and grazing on nibbles from the inviting fresh buffet at Mother Wine. Or drop into Roots & Wine (Rødder og Vin) to pick up some natural wines made from lesser known grape-varieties and non mainstream wine regions.
The ultimate gastronomic experience is a toss up between Noma and The Alchemist, but both will cost you a pretty penny so unless money is no object, you’ll have to choose just on.
Just like English pubs, brown cafes are casual neighborhood gathering spots serving regional food and local beers and located all around the city and the name comes from the dark but cosy wooden interiors and the nicotine-stained walls and ceilings. Bo-bi Bar, the oldest brown bar (places where smoking is still allowed) in Copenhagen with a history of local artists and writers.
For a meal inside one of the fancy skyscraping architectural sights, make a reservation at Restaurant SILO on the 17th floor with 360 views.
Explore the world of The Log Lady Café at Studiestræde.
Hitting the town after dark? Start at Bar Next Door for the best cocktails in town or at 1105 for something a bit more laid-back (you can book a table here).
Head to Sanders for a drink or two where there is an amazing rooftop bar.
Make your way to The Bird & The Churchkey for a fabulous gin & tonic experience and get your groove on at Condesa next door.
Sample some great Danish beer with the locals at Toga Bar or find your way to Ølbaren, one of the coziest and most vibrant streets in Copenhagen.
Temple Bar is always a good choice to play pool with the locals but don’t mind the smokey bar. Hidden at Rantzausgade 28 lies Tilji Pop with mismatched furniture and cheap beers, live music, and great nachos.
Where to Stay
As soon as you step foot into Manon Les Suites, you will feel as though you have just entered a tropical rainforest and you will continue to see luscious sprigs of green all throughout the hotel.
Another gem is Hotel SP34 and it’s probably the most hipster hotel in Copenhagen, filled with quirky designs in all of its nooks and crannies. It has its own secret garden, cinema, bike rental, and in-room fitness kits.
Villa Copenhagen is a great choice if you like the idea of diving into a pool with 360 views of the city. Throughout the hotel you will find the finest Danish design and architecture and get a veritable feeling of
the minimalistic New Nordic style.
Another off-beat choice is Kaj Hotel. You can’t really call it a hotel nor a houseboat but something in between. The “hotel-houseboat” is made of recycled materials and has a charmingly unique location
on the harbour.
And for travellers not afraid of heights – why not sleep in a (now incredibly luxurious) former coal crane? (BMW, bikes, and a personal concierge are all included).
Have some fun by staying at the world’s smallest hotel where you can tick Copenhagen’s smallest coffee shop off your list too. Central Hotel og Café would fit right in the pages of a storybook and is
just cute as a button.
Some pocket-friendly Airbnb options include this homely apartment in the heart of Østerbro close to the canal. This charming apartment located in Nørrebro which is very much the definition of the Danish term “Hygge” and has a slightly Parisian vibe. Last but not least is this minimalist Danish design apartment in the city centre which is très chic and bright.