Ah! Wonderful Copenhagen, one of the greatest food, style, and culture cities in the world. Birthplace of the fairy tale, home of one of the best restaurants in the world, and with more to do than possible in just one trip, it is little surprise it is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. Copenhagen is a beautiful, wonderful, unique place, and here is my definitive guide of what to do and see, while you are in this magical city.
EAT:
Copenhagen is buzzing with places to explore food. As the birthplace of the Nordic Food movement, which has taken the culinary world by storm, it is only natural it would be one of the most innovative food cities in the world. Start with a trip to Torvehallerne, the Nordic food market, located right by Norreport station in the centre of the city. Head here to explore the amazing food offered at the stunning covered, permanent market place. Head to coffee collective for your morning cup of java, hailed by coffee fanatics as the greatest coffee in the city. For lunch, pop over to the street food market to try a variety of food from around the world in a quintessentially edgy Danish warehouse building. For dinner, make your way to the Meat Packing district in the hipster district of Vesterbro. Check out Fiskebar for seafood, Mother for amazing pizza, or my personal favourite, Bio Mio for affordable and stunning Nordic Food.
DRINK:
As home to one of the largest breweries in the world (Carlsberg), you can expect this is a city that likes to drink. Pubs and clubs stay open until well into the early hours of the morning, and it is not unusual to find people having a beer with their brunch and continuing into the day. For an amazing gin collection, the bird and Churchkey on Gammel Strand is unbeatable. For cocktails, the Ruby has a fantastic array, and cost wise, you can’t beat Kassen on Norrebrogade with 241 cocktails every Friday from 4-10pm. For beer – head to the famous Mikkeller bar in Vesterbro, or for something a little more experiential, check out Norrebro Bryghus in Norrebro. The bar is actually in the brewery, so you can see the process as you drink, and the food is phenomenal, definitely worth checking out. For those on a budget, your best bet is to head to Studiestraede in the city centre. The bars might not be the best quality, but you will find some of the cheapest drinks and most fun bars in the city, here in the student quarter.
EXPLORE:
Copenhagen is a city that begs to be explored, and the more you scratch the surface, the more you will realise just how much there is to do here. The second oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli, is an absolute must see. Quaint and atmospheric, with entertainment and concerts going on throughout the year, it is truly lovely. If you would like to see the oldest amusement park in the world, take the S-train C line to Klampenborg and head to Bakken in the middle of the royal deer park. It is free to go in and walk through, and with rides, entertainment, and plenty to eat, and see, it is a wonderful day trip just 25 minutes north of the city.
Rosenborg Castle Gardens photo by Michael Button
For art lovers, Louisiana modern art museum is one of the best galleries in the world, located just north of the city on the coast; the grounds alone are worth the trip. With award-winning exhibitions and an incredible restaurant, put a whole day aside for this one. If sculpture is more your thing, make your way to the Carlsberg Glyptotek by Tivoli. It was founded by the son of the founder of Carlsberg to display his collection of sculptures, and today, is open to the public. To get your fill of famous Danish design, the Danish Design museum close to the royal palace is a must see. Interactive, informative, and well put together, it’s the ideal place to explore what makes Denmark such a famous country for design. Finally, for those interested in the Royal Family, make your way to Rosenborg castle in the centre of the city. Housing the crown jewels, this is a spectacular palace full of beautiful things to do and see, located in the centre of the Kings Gardens, the most visited park in Denmark. A great place to experience Danish park life and learn more about their royal history.
Copenhagen is a city in which you simply cannot run out of things to do and see. Bursting with culture, it begs to be explored, and wandering around the safe and clean streets, learning about the vibrant history and Scandinavian way of life, you truly realise you are in a very special city.
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