THE INSIDE GUIDE: COPENHAGEN

Copenhagen is Denmark's capital known for its old-world charm and modern sophistication. With its picturesque canals, historic architecture and progressive culture, this city blends history, culture, and innovation seamlessly.

stay

Copenhagen is divided into several distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Most of the hotels can be found in the city centre and in and around the Vesterbro area. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite hotels in Copenhagen.

Vesterbro: Known for its urban vibes, trendy cafes and vibrant nightlife scene

Indre By (Inner City): The historic heart of Copenhagen

Østerbro:

Hotel Sanders

@hotelsanders

Grand Joanne

@grandjoannecph

Villa Copenhagen

@villacph

“This city blends history, culture and innovation seamlessly ”

see

See the sights: You can’t visit Copenhagen without seeing the sights at least once. Most of these places you will uncover just by wandering or biking around the city:

  • Nyhavn: The iconic waterfront known for its colourful houses, historic ships and lively atmosphere with restaurants and cafes. Be warned - it can get busy here.

  • Amelianborg Palace: Home to the Danish Royal Family. Make sure to get here for 12pm to catch the changing of the guard ceremony.

  • Tivoli Gardens: One of the world's oldest amusement parks, offering a blend of vintage rides, beautiful gardens, cultural performances, dining options and Christmas markets over the festive period - a nostalgic wonderland.

  • Christianshavn/Freetown Christiana: Known for its picturesque canals, colourful houses and alternative lifestyle, Christianshavn is home to the famous self-governing commune, Freetown Christiania - definitely worth a visit.

Museums: Copenhagen is full of museums offering a diverse range of cultural experiences and historical insights. For art lovers, head to Louisiana Museum of Modern Arts or check out the contemporary art exhibitions at the Copenhagen Contemporary. For history buffs, there’s the National Museum of Denmark and if design is your thing, Designmuseum Danmark offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of Danish design, from iconic furniture pieces to cutting-edge innovations - fitting as Denmark is renowned for its iconic design tradition.

Coffee shops & bakeries: If you’re looking for good coffee and even better pastries, where better than Copenhagen? The appeal of Copenhagen is its laid-back feel in comparison to other capital cities and we love finding new places to just take a moment to chill and people-watch. There are so many good ones around the city waiting to be discovered, from the cardamon buns at Juno to the chocolate croissant at Hart Bageri, find the full list of our favourite cafes here.

Bike: The best way to experience Copenhagen like a local is by renting a bike and it couldn’t be easier. Whether enjoying a leisurely bike ride along the waterfront or exploring the charming streets, do as the Danes do and cycle around the city. It’s a quick and easy way of seeing all that Copenhagen has to offer and immersing yourself in the vibrant culture whilst soaking up the scenery.

Boat: Copenhagen is surrounded by water, 's scenery on a canal tour boat offering views of the city from the water or rent a private boat if you’re looking for something more secluded. If boats aren’t your thing but you love to be near the water, head to La Banchina - a cool restaurant on the harbour where in the Summer months you can bask in the sun on the deck and join the locals in taking a swim in the water. Read here for more inspo on how to spend summer in Copenhagen.

For the nature lovers: There are so many beautiful parks to visit that encapsulate the laid-back culture of the city whilst showing off the beauty of Copenhagen’s outdoor spaces. Wander around The King’s Garden with its flowerbeds, sculptures and tree-lined avenues, ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics in the summer. The Botanical Gardens are also stunning during the summer months with so many benches to sit and take in the scenery. For waterfront views, the picturesque Frederiksberg Gardens offers a tranquil oasis with boat tours along the canals and Copenhagen Zoo at the north end of the gardens. The Royal Library Gardens are also lovely, situated between Christiansborg Palace and the Royal Library.

Neighbourhoods: For a taste of local life, wander through the trendy neighbourhoods of Vesterbro, home to the creative meatpacking district with its dining scene and buzzing nightlife and Nørrebro; a diverse and multicultural neighbourhood bustling with cafes, natural wine bars, street art and explore the lively streets of Jægersborggade known for its eclectic mix of vintage shops, independent designers and artisanal workshops, offering one-of-a-kind fashion and lifestyle items.

Torve-hallen Food Market: Copenhagen's premier food market also features a variety of speciality shops selling everything from fresh produce and gourmet ingredients to fashion accessories and handmade crafts.

“Do as the Danes do”

style

Vintage: Copenhagen’s vintage scene is amongst the best. Explore the city's eclectic neighbourhoods like Nørrebro where vintage stores line the streets, offering everything from retro clothing to mid-century furniture and antique trinkets. Go to iconic spots like Ravnsborggade and Jægersborggade, known for its mix of shops filled with independent designers and vintage pieces, from luxury designer items from the archives to one-of-a-kind accessories. Dive into the bustling atmosphere of weekend flea markets, the city has a large selection for the ultimate thrifting experience with Veras being one of the favourite spots to bag a secondhand gem and browse through stalls filled with vintage treasures waiting to be discovered.

For our favourite vintage stores in Copenhagen, read here

Independent boutiques and designer stores: Of course, you can’t go to Copenhagen without visiting the Ganni Flagship Store, as well as other Danish brands such as Saks Potts and Samsøe Samsøe. For independent stores and boutiques, Lot #29, Wood Wood and 7115 By Szeki all encapsulate the Copenhagen vibe. If you’re looking for discounted designer items from previous seasons, check out the Acne Archive store and the Ganni Postmodern Store and if you want all the designer goods in one place, go to Illum. The department store has everything from fashion to beauty under one roof and a rooftop bar for good measure.

Interiors: Copenhagen's interior shopping scene offers a blend of sleek Scandinavian design and eclectic boutique finds with stores throughout the city showcasing minimalist furniture, stylish home accessories and unique decor pieces to elevate any living space. Check out Hay House and The Apartment for home furniture shopping. For accessories, go to New Mags, a cool aesthetic bookstore with Assouline and Taschen books lining the walls and Studio Arhoj for ceramics made in the heart of the city. A visit to the Frama Studio Store is a must for all the inspo.

Dora

soiree

Copenhagen might be small but its energy is big. With an array of places to wine, dine and party that suit every mood, here are some of our favourite things to do in Copenhagen after dark.

Wine: Copenhagen is full of diverse bars to suit every mood. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, intimate date-night vibe, Ruby is a cool cocktail bar inside an 18th-century townhouse overlooking the canal with the most aesthetic interiors. For natty wine lovers, you can’t beat Pompette in Nørrebro. For hotel hangouts, go to the award-winning Tata in Hotel Sanders for cocktails and a nightcap and for the jazz lovers, run to La Fontaine.

For more bar recommendations, read here for our faves.

Dine: With so many food spots to choose from it's hard to narrow it down. From charming bistros to rooftop restaurants, the city has got you covered. Some of our favourites include Mangia, an Italian restaurant in Vesterbro that serves the most incredible pasta. Baka d’Busk, Bottega Barlie and Osteria 16 are also worth an honourable mention. For a full list of restaurant recommendations and hotspots, read here.

Party: If you couldn’t tell by now, we love a little nighttime soiree. There are so many cool bars in Copenhagen with live DJs, good energy and drinks flowing. Some of our favourite spots include Apollo Bar for a Friday night vibe open till midnight, Yellow where the vibe goes from chilled to party real fast and wine and vinyl nights at Coco Hotel. For a rooftop rendezvous, Soho House provides the views, vibes and picantes.

 
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