I absolutely love all things Scandinavian! Among my favorite cities in Europe are Berlin, Prague, and Copenhagen, which I’ve visited four times now!
I love the city for its elegance, its very unique outlook on life, its awesome concept of “hygge”, and how I can walk into an upscale restaurant or even just a backstreet coffee shop and find exceptional design wherever I go! I’m also in awe of how friendly and well-dressed the locals are and how I always feel like a lifestyle magazine when I’m just wandering around its immaculate-looking streets and scenic harbours!
The Danish capital actually started off as a humble fishing village way back in the 10th century. Nestled along the eastern coast of Zealand, right at the bustling crossroads of the Baltic and North Seas, it wasn’t long before it blossomed into a major trading hub though!
When I visited I found a very beautiful, progressive, well-kept and (very!) bike-friendly city filled with wonderful squares and fine elegant-looking streets lined with restaurants, museums, cafes, trendy bars, galleries, shops, theatres, and immaculately preserved historic architecture.
It also had a thriving arts and design scene and world-renowned culinary offerings (Noma was named one of the world’s best restaurants although sadly it’s now closing!). I also always admire how it continually strives to be as eco-friendly as possible; I personally think they’ve just so many things right here, and the result, in my opinion, is an immaculate-looking utopia in city form!
1. Starting at the famous shopping street Strøget
My journey began on the buzzing streets of Strøget, Copenhagen’s famous pedestrian thoroughfare, which was a very long 1.1 km (it’s one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe!). It was lined with an eclectic mix of shops, cafes, and street performers – it gave me a wonderful glimpse into local city life!
On one end, it started with the cheaper typical souvenir shops and at the other it ended with gorgeous department stores. I especially loved the boutique shops which showcased the incredible Danish design and craftsmanship and the bakeries which were overflowing with tasty pastries. Overall, my favourite shops included Mads Nørgaard and the sprawling ILLUM.
2. Visiting Nyhavn
Next up was Nyhavn, which was one of the city’s most famous and picturesque spots. It was a captivating area with felt like something out of a postcard with colourful 17th-century townhouses and boats gently bobbing in the canal and a very relaxed, zen-like vibe!
Although I have to admit it was a pricey spot, it was a great place to stop for a beer and a traditional Danish smørrebrød at the quaint cafes and bars. We sat outside to people-watch – everyone was so well dressed Copenhagen!
3. Wandering around the Riverside and The Black Diamond
I loved just wandering around the city, especially near the riverside, and taking in all the wonderful and unique architecture, some of which was really quirky and colorful!
It was great to see the historic and modern buildings sitting side-by-side and I especially loved the ultra-modern and aptly named Black Diamond building which was the striking waterfront extension of the Royal Danish Library. It’s sleek black granite facade reflected the rippling waters of the harbour showcasing the city’s commitment to design innovation!
Christian IV’s Brewhouse was another stand-out building which dated back to the early 17th century but was mostly used for exhibitions and cultural events. I really liked its Renaissance architecture, complete with ornate gables.
4. Discovering Kultorvet
From Nyhavn, I strolled over to Kultorvet, a charming little square hidden away from the usual tourist hustle. The local vibe of this spot totally enchanted me – it honestly felt like I’d discovered a secret part of the city!
I also stumbled upon a local market that was filled with artisanal crafts and a great range of culinary delights. Sampling Danish pastries, grabbing a coffee, and chatting with the friendly vendors, I soaked up the laid-back atmosphere of this hidden gem.
On the way back, just a 2-minute walk from Kultorvet, I passed the imposing and impressive 17th-century Round House Tower (Rundetaarn) which had been built by Christian IV of Denmark as an astronomical observatory.
5. Visiting Christiansborg Castle
Eager to delve into Denmark’s royal history, I ventured to Christiansborg Castle, home to the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and Prime Minister’s Office.
I thought the grand and regal looking building was very impressive, but the impaled polar bear sculpture “Unbearable in Copenhagen” especially caught my eye. The sculpture was there to remind us that we’re slowly destroying the planet and nature!
6. Exploring Christianhavn and Christiania
As the sun set, I crossed the bridge to Christianhavn, a vibrant neighbourhood brimming with canal-side cafes, quirky shops, hip boutiques, fine restaurants and charming canals. I had always loved this area’s intimate local feel and spent a happy few hours wandering around and dipping in and out of the intriguing shops.
One famous stand-out area was “Freetown Christiania”, the self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood. It was a really fascinating place, and I loved the original bohemian concept of the place, as well as its colourful murals, eclectic-looking buildings and very interesting looking locals!
It’s just that today, it has a much edgier vibe, so I’d suggest families with young kids might want to give this one a miss—or maybe just check and take photos at its Instagram-worthy entrance instead!
7. Vesterbro and The Meatpacking District
To round off my weekend adventure, I headed to the creative neighbourhood of Vesterbro. The former industrial area turned hipster haven, one of my favourite areas in the city, and I really loved the youthful vibe and buzz this place had.
It was filled with trendy bars, live DJs, cafes, and lively nightclubs, and it was a great place to have fun and meet locals. I was also a big fan of the many hip organic restaurants they have here my favourites were the Mad & Kaffe and Neighbourhood.
The hipster-packed Meatpacking District was right here too, taking a leaf out of New York’s legendary book. Once home to, yikes, slaughterhouses and meat-packing warehouses, it’s now transformed into an ultra-trendy hotspot and I really enjoyed hanging out at this unique buzzy area!
8. A Stay in Andersen Boutique Hotel
I stayed at The Andersen Boutique Hotel which located in the funky Vesterbro district. It was a trendy hotel, but it didn’t feel too intimidating or overpriced like some of the hotels based in the city. It actually made a great affordable base for exploring Copenhagen’s attractions and was handily within walking distance of Tivoli Gardens and the Meatpacking District.
It was great mix of modern comforts and a quirky design inspired by Hans Christian Andersen! I personally thought it was a cosy and very welcoming spot with fabulous (and bright pink!) retro-style decor, tasteful wooden floors, a hearty buffet breakfast, and friendly, laid-back staff who were dressed all in black.
I personally loved the experience of sipping on cocktails in the peaceful courtyard garden, the very handy loaner bikes, the cute Honesty Bar and people-watching from my bedroom window!
It was eventually time to leave, but as always, Copenhagen had completely captivated me – from its historic landmarks to its hidden gems. I absolutely adore this city, and hopefully, I’ll be back again for the fifth time!
