Copenhagen is exclusive for a number of causes. Not as candy as Paris (Opens in a brand new tab) Or like Berlin, Denmark’s capital recognized for its buzzing avenue model, nice meals scene and good-natured residents. Within the yr In line with the 2020 World Happiness Report, town is the fifth happiest on the earth. (Opens in a brand new tab) (As Covid-19 sweeps the world, the Danes are nonetheless in a position to see the brilliant aspect, a real testomony to their contagious optimism) and respect the Danish idea. hyggeOne which values consolation, pleasure, belief and togetherness. It’s a splendidly numerous and colourful metropolis that welcomes unusual acts into its arms. I actually needed to go.
So, when one in every of my pricey mates despatched me a textual content on a university group chat, “Copenhagen – are you in?” I did not take a lot convincing. We booked our week-long keep, obtained to expertise Denmark, and reached out to Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, the style editor of Who Wears, who lately attended Copenhagen Trend Week, for prime ideas. Not way back (and earlier than I graduated from my Duolingo course—I obtained so far as “Hedge!” and “tackle!”), we went to Scandinavia.
Forward, you will discover highlights from our keep on one of the best eating places, bars, neighborhoods, retailers, and museums to go to whereas in Copenhagen.
The place to remain
First, biking is to native Copenhageners what Bruskik velocity journey is to New Yorkers. Should you think about your self good sufficient to journey with town’s adroit cyclists, I like to recommend renting a motorcycle on your keep. In any other case, you may stroll and use town’s public subway and buses, which is what my group did. Word: There is no such thing as a Uber in Copenhagen, and native taxis can price you a large number, so you will need to know learn how to get to your vacation spot.
Copenhagen shouldn’t be a really huge metropolis, however it isn’t small by any means. Indre Bay is taken into account the middle of city, the place you’ll find Nyhavn, a harborside neighborhood with lovely rainbow-colored homes, and Strøget, a protracted avenue with high-street shops and indie boutiques. It is a nice neighborhood for first-time guests who need quick access to locations like Rosenborg Fortress, Tivoli Gardens, and the Little Mermaid statue (she’s very small, however watch out together with your expectations).
(Picture credit score: Emma Childs)
For our keep, we rented an Airbnb in Østerbro, away from the hustle and bustle of town heart. Norrebro is one other space off the overwhelmed observe that provides many handy Airbnb and motels at decrease costs than you will discover within the metropolis heart.
Nevertheless, for those who’re on the lookout for an artist scene with extra of a nightlife vibe, Vesterbro is the place to be. Generally known as town’s meatpacking and red-light district, the humanities heart affords a wide range of culinary galleries, nightclubs and eating places, from Japanese to American barbecue.
The place to eat and drink
Whereas exploring central Copenhagen, one in every of our sweetest pitstops was the Gasoline Grill, and I’m not exaggerating one of the best veggie burger of my life. My meat-eating mates rave concerning the juicy beef roast. One other fast, mood-boosting meal is the open-faced sandwich on toasted oat bread, a standard Danish dish often known as smørrebrød on the intimate Compa 9 cafe within the metropolis heart. Additionally included are grilled langoustines and sea bass at Delphin, a Greek-Italian fusion restaurant. Situated within the coronary heart of Vesterbro, Delfin is an up-and-coming fashionable spot that can fulfill any seafood lover’s recent and salty palette.
Head to Coronary heart Baggery for otherworldly pastries. Their cardamom croissant was heaven within the type of a crispy, buttery, completely spiced deal with. Palms-down one of the best cake of our journey, nonetheless, was the cardamom bread from Juno Bakery, a towering Instagram favourite in Østerbro. His vanilla cream brownies and almond croissants are additionally a must-buy.
Bar Restaurant was our largest gastronomic splurge. It’s run by the identical staff behind the award-winning Noma and the award-winning restaurant is housed in a former waterfront warehouse. I had rather a lot to look ahead to contemplating the connection to what has been known as probably the greatest eating places on the earth – the restaurant’s greatest gin and tonic, as soon as I sampled the well-known home gin and tonic, surpassed every part bar. He ever had.” His grilled mackerel with roasted carrots and toasted pumpkin seeds was scrumptious, however the caramel custard dessert was divine and the star of our meal.
Apollo Bar, a brief 10-minute stroll from the bar, is one other extremely beneficial spot for a enjoyable nightcap. And on Friday nights, the intimate museum cafe-cum-bar-cum-restaurant turns right into a multi-club with DJ and electrical dance events.
(Picture credit score: Emma Childs)
what to do?
On our first day on the town, we did a little bit sightseeing on the Stroma Canal Tour, a good way to discover Copenhagen’s waterways lower than an hour from Nyhavn. For a extra native information, think about a guided hygge and pleasure tour (Opens in a brand new tab) Run by GetYourGuide, you will discover town on foot, study hygge tradition and fulfill your candy tooth with some conventional Danish flødebøller, a chocolate-covered marshmallow deal with.
Should you’re up for a fast day journey, hop on the practice and head to Helsinghore’s Kronborg Fortress; frequent sense The fort the place William Shakespeare took inspiration and the place Hamlet entered. Discover the inexperienced grounds, wander by the spectacular fort first inbuilt 1420, and study extra about King Frederick II, recognized for throwing lavish events and days of events.
In your practice again to town, hop off at Humlebaek and go to my favourite cultural spot, the wonderful Louisiana Museum. Discover the sculpture gardens, take within the waterfront terrace views, after which head inside to wander the halls full of thought-provoking modern artwork, from David Hockney to Yayoi Kusama to Dana Schutz. One other nice museum to spend a day at is the Design Museum Denmark. (Opens in a brand new tab) In Frederiksstaden, it’s housed in a former rococo-style hospital. Along with receiving a short however informative account of conventional Scandinavian design, you will discover historic works from East Asia and the late Center Ages and interact in wild thought experiments on what the way forward for design may appear to be.
The town’s signature trend is whimsical and eccentric, with daring silhouettes, clashing patterns and a happy-go-lucky strategy to clothes. It was the daring and enjoyable trend that originally drew me to Copenhagen, so procuring was excessive on my to-do listing.
Let’s discuss GANNI (Opens in a brand new tab). A staple for followers of the Scandi model, the Copenhagen-based model is a staple in lots of shops throughout town. We visited not one, not two, however three totally different locations with postmodernism (Opens in a brand new tab) A storefront of choices from previous seasons the place we discovered quite a lot of gold. Zits studios (Opens in a brand new tab)Out-of-branch retailer, Zits Archive in Nørrebro, is one other place that followers of discounted luxurious items ought to completely go to.
For followers of archival trend, Paloma Classic (Opens in a brand new tab) It’s a non-negotiable should go to. I spent one of many funnest afternoons in latest reminiscence within the well-appointed retailer: founder Ferial Berry let me attempt on a wide range of classic Miu Miu, Saint Laurent and Valentino and guided my mates by an hour-long trend present, culminating in a black-and-white button-up corset prime with an identical pencil skirt. And stroll with sleeves. Jerome Classic and Rosie Classic, co-located within the coronary heart of Copenhagen’s procuring district, are different locations to seek out distinctive second-hand luxurious.
(Picture credit score: Emma Childs)
