Copenhagen, Denmark

Vibrant.  Creative.  Happy.  Trendy.  A destination for design, food, and fashion.  Bikes everywhere.  (The girls looked so effortlessly chic riding their bikes with baskets!)  Copenhagen has been ranked as the happiest city in the world a number of times.  If you’re in need of inspiration, this is a great place to visit.  Here are some tips and recommendations for a trip to Copenhagen.  

SEE + DO

Nyhavn is the picturesque waterfront district with rows of colorful buildings.  If you want the full tourist experience, have lunch or drinks at one of the many restaurants with outdoor seating and take a canal boat ride.

Vesterbro is a hipster area that's good to go for a meal, coffee, or drinks.  Another interesting neighborhood to check out is Nørrebro.

The Little Mermaid sculpture is a total tourist attraction but a trip to Copenhagen may be incomplete without a stop here.  (Be warned it’s rather small.)  There’s a nice park nearby to enjoy after you’ve taken the necessary photos.

Tivoli Gardens, the historic amusement park, is colorful and fairytale like.  Not just for kids, there’s a lot to see and do including pretty gardens, rides, and restaurants.  It’s pleasant to walk around here in the evening.

Additional sightseeing suggestions:  Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace

FOOD + DRINK

Be sure to eat some smørrebrød, the traditional Danish open-faced sandwich on rye bread.  Many variations of toppings! 

Joe & the Juice:  I adore this Danish coffee and juice bar chain where juices and smoothies are made fresh to order.  I consumed many of their smoothies during my travels to Copenhagen and other Scandi cities.  Look for the round pink logo.

Sadly, I was not able to eat at Noma which has been voted the world’s best restaurant for a number of years.  Foodies should plan to make reservations far in advance.

Alberto K is a New Nordic cuisine restaurant located at the top of the Radisson Blu Hotel (designed by Arne Jacobsen, one of Denmark’s most famous architects) which gives you nice views of Copenhagen.  Excellent service and so many beautiful touches from the sleek silverware to the artistic presentations.  The attention to details was impressive:  I could see the chefs using tweezers to plate the food and chopping baby carrots into tiny circles.  

Nimb Brasserie, one of the restaurants located inside Tivoli, has decent food in a a modern pleasant setting with nice views of the gardens.  (Note:  the brasserie is accessible from the street so you don’t have to pay Tivoli admission to just eat here).

SHOP

Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for all the Danish design goodies you’ll be bringing back home!

Strøget is Copenhagen’s long pedestrian shopping street and you’ll find everything from the luxury labels to budget-friendly brands.  Start from the city square and walk to the end.    

Tip:  Explore the street parallel to Strøget and side streets which I found less crowded and more peaceful. 

Magasin du Nord is a prestigious department store with a lot of history.  Has a food court with reasonable prices.

Illums Bolighus is great for furniture, home goods, accessories, and more by the major Scandinavian designers. 

Illum is a great place to browse housewares, fashion, beauty products, and souvenirs. 

Georg Jensen: Visit the store to experience the high quality and craftsmanship of this brand’s silver and jewelry.

Royal Copenhagen:  Go to the flagship store to admire their classic blue and white porcelain.

Hay:  I love this brand’s modern designs and clean lines.  Their furniture and products are sold throughout Scandinavia but the beautiful flagship store on Strøget is worth a visit.  I bought some gorgeous Hay scissors with gold handles.  It’s like a piece of functional art.

SOUVENIRS

Some of the best souvenirs to bring home from Copenhagen:  clothes, housewares, and products by Danish designers.  Finding great souvenirs is easy at the small shops and large department stores. 

Artium is a good store to pick up small accessories.  It’s located near Tivoli and carries lots of Scandinavian brands. 

TIPS

For currency, Denmark uses the krone, not euros.

Look out for bikes everywhere, especially during rush hour.  When I arrived at my hotel, I had to cross a bike lane with my luggage to get to the entrance.  The cyclists seem generally understanding of tourists though. J

Thanks for reading!