I have been to Copenhagen 4 different times now. Anyone who knows me knows I AM OBSESSED W/ COPENHAGEN. The first two times was just Copenhagen. After that, we started tacking on more destinations onto our trip. Last time we did Copenhagen & Greece, this time (as you know) we did Copenhagen & Italy.
Still, Copenhagen remains my favorite. I say to Zack atleast 5x a day… “can we move to Copenhagen?!?!”. I have researched this, & sadly, it’s not easy to be an expat in Copenhagen. Plus I’d miss my Mom way too much & we probably couldn’t brave the winters. REGARDLESS- Copenhagen is amazing.
A lot of people ask me why we keep going back & if we ever get bored of it. We come back because the HYGGE & NO- we absolutely do not get bored of it. Each year it just gets better & better. It’s fun to go back without having a laundry list of touristy things to do. We can just CHILL & we now have our “spots” that we love to visit. Plus, Copenhagen changes so much within just a years time. This year, for example, there is an amazing new bike bridge which made getting around SO much easier.
I CAN’T STRESS ENOUGH- you need to add Copenhagen on your travel bucket list. I have had a few readers message me saying that my ranting & raving convinced them to go and they all had the same response- LIFE CHANGING. The food, the people, the decor, the fashion, the minimalism…. I could go on for days about this place. Copenhagen is a dream.
If you landed on this post because you’re headed to Copenhagen. GET EXCITED. Your worlds about to be rocked.
CHECK OUT MY COPENHAGEN INSTA STORIES TO GET A BTS LOOK AT OUR TRIP!
5 COPENHAGEN NEED-TO-KNOW’S (before you go!):
1. MONEY: Denmark does not use the Euro! They use the Danish Kroner & it’s pretty easy to remember- 100 kroner equals roughly 15 USD & everywhere takes cards (cabs included!). Denmark is known to be a bit expensive, which I have to say is the onlyyyy downfall.
2. TRANSPORTATION: everyone in Copenhagen rides bikes. I highly suggest doing Copenhagen on bike IF you know how to ride a bike. Being that this is the main form of transportation, you gotta follow the crowds & respect the locals on your bike. Bell ring means someone is going to pass you on the left, if you’re going slow stay in the right lane, keep on the bike paths, cars have the right of way (no illegal crossing when it’s not your turn!), & USE YOUR HAND SIGNALS.
3. THE LANGUAGE: almost EVERYONE speaks English. I haven’t yet encountered someone who didn’t speak English in Copenhagen.
4. GO GREEN: COPENHAGEN IS GREEN AF. The food is majority organic, most of the hotels are fully eco-friendly, the buses are electric, & they are SERIOUS about recycling. If you throw your plastic bottle in the regular garbage bin, you will get A LOOK or two.
5. THE DANISH DOGS: I feel like this is important because I personally need to pet all the dogs, but travelling abroad, you realize some places are down with you just walking up and petting their dogs. Danes are on the go go go, so more often than not, they aren’t too keen on stopping so you can pet there pup.
My Copenhagen Travel Guide
We spent 5 full days in Copenhagen which, IMO, is the perfect amount of time. Copenhagen is spread out and there is so much to see!! You definitely won’t be bored. I could do two weeks there actually. I could do a month there. It’s amazing. Stay as long as you like.
Also- here is what I do before a trip. I download the app PINBOX & add all the places I want to go to the app. It’s the ultimate travel app & I couldn’t plan trips without it. I color code my dropped pins & then when we are going to one place I open Pinbox & see what is near by. For example: if we are going to Acne Archive store- I will see what place I have nearby for lunch. Genius.
WHERE WE STAY
» Hotel Sp34: we have stayed at this hotel every year we have visited! Our next trip we may stay longer, so we would possibly get an AIRBNB… but for a shorter trip SP34 is the spot. The decor is so minimal, it is SO HYGGE, the breakfast in the morning is INSANE, & it really just feels like home to me at this point. I am psycho so I make sure we get the same room every year (creature of habit)- but if you can, ask for a room with the big bay windows. The morning view/people watching is my favorite.
WHERE TO EAT
Copenhagen is the city of MICHELIN STARS & seriously every restaurant is so good. Even the 7-Eleven’s are bomb with organic food/cold pressed juice/raw & vegan options delivered fresh on the daily. Here are some of my favorite places we’ve eaten at:
» Møller Coffee & Kitchen: go here for brunch!!! The decor is so cute & charming and I love how you order- they give you a card (kind of like at a sushi restaurant) where you check off what you want and you literally build your own amazing spread.
» Höst: this is our favorite restaurant in Copenhagen! We go here religiously every year. It’s candlelit, cozy, & the food is next level. It’s a set menu, which I love, because I hate too many choices & you get fun surprises throughout the meal (one time they served us pop rocks with yogurt to cleanse the palette!).
» Sticks N’ Sushi: I didn’t really think sushi in Copenhagen, but Sticks N’ Sushi may be some of the best I’ve ever had. They have TONS of locations all over the city, but we love the one at the Tivoli Hotel because it’s on the top floor and the view is insane. Go for dinner, but get there before the sun goes down.
» Amass: I didn’t add Noma to the list (one of the best restaurants in the world) because getting a reservation is near impossible & we’ve never been… which is how we found Amass. The owner/chef was trained at Noma & this restaurant is amazing. You do need to take a cab to get there cause it’s a little far away, but totally worth it.
» Torvehallerne Market: another one of our absolute faves! Torvehallerne is more like a market/public house vibe with lots of different booths & all of them have amazing fresh/clean food/wine/cocktails/whatever you want!
» La Banchina: this is a MUST… but only in Summer/when it’s warm. It’s a little restaurant on the water. You order your food (get the olives!!! best olives of my life… I will dream about the olives forever!) & then you go sit on a small pier and just relax. Honestly, this was a highlight. We just listened to music, drank beers, and hung with the locals. So dreamy.
» Reffen: this was my first time going to this gem & it can not be missed! It’s an open street food type market… but not normal greasy American street food. Zack got a yummy gyro & I opted for the Smørrebrød (fancy toast, basically) stand that had the most amazing lox toast situation that was straight freshhh from the fish. Also, the Mikkeller brewery is there which is home to my favorite tart cherry beer. Also, they have Frosé on tap. I got one of each.
» Apollo Bar: this cute little bar was one we stumbled upon & I had to share because the toast here was INSANE. Toast is big in Copenhagen… but this one took the cake. It was ricotta with blueberries & figs. Life changing toast… & very insta-worthy.
» Restaurant Pluto: we wanted to go here so bad, but it was closed for lunch. I am including it because it looks soooo good.
» The Living Room: if you end up staying at SP34 this cafe is just around the corner & they have an amazingggg chicken caesar wrap (make sure you get it cold, heated isn’t as good). I also live for their fresh mint tea that comes with a rock candy stick to stir & sweeten.
» Østerberg Ice Cream: if you’re in the mood for ice cream you have to go here. The flavors are insane (like lychee, lavendar, mojito, kombucha) & like anything else in Copenhagen- the shop itself is so cute.
» Nicecream: really really really good acai bowls. Like REALLY good. If acai is your thing, you have to try it.
» Sankt Peders Bakery: Also just around the corner from the hotel we stay at & by far the best bakery in Copenhagen- try the Terbikes (a traditional danish pastry) or their game changing cinnamon rolls.
» The Union Kitchen: cheeky latte art
WHERE TO SHOP
Honestly- I am not a huge shopper on vacation. I’d rather spend my money on good food & experiences… but I do have a few places I always pop my head into while in Copenhagen!
» Strøget: this is the shopping street- it has all the shops! Spend an hour or two walking up & down Stroget & you will get your shopping fix. Some stores to check out specifically: COS, & Other Stories, Weekday, & BikBok
» Acne Archive: make a point to go here! It’s the only one of it’s kind & basically an Acne sample store. It’s a dream.
» Magnolias Luksus 2ndhand: If you like designer vintage, check out this store! They have some insane designer pieces (Balenciaga, Fendi, Gucci, etc.). Make sure to ask for a VAT receipt if you buy anything- you can get a hefty little discount at the airport on your way home.
WHERE TO DRINK
As you guys know, I am not a big drinker… but if that’s your thing, here are a few spots I liked when I had a wild hair:
» Mikkeller & Friends: I mentioned this above, but that was the brewery. They also have a cute little bar to check out that is super fun.
» Vesterbro & Nørrebro: Vesterbro & Nørrebro are supposedly the neighborhoods to hit up for some nightlife.
+ Mother Pizza: this is a late night pizza spot that actually gets pretty popping at night. It’s a good vibe & has a nice little bar/cool people. Seems like a place where the cool kids go.
WHAT TO DO
» Botanical Gardens:I don’t know how this was only my first year finding this place! It was amazing. You have to go here if you go to Copenhagen. It’s at the university & it’s the most beautiful botanical garden ever & that’s coming from someone who is not even into botanical gardens. While we were there they had a butterfly exhibit which as you can imagine was life changing. There were butterflies everywhereeee. Butterflies or not though, this place was magical.
» Christianshavn/Christiania:okay okay okay, let’s talk CHRISTIANIA. Christiania, aka “the Freetown”, is my jam… cause you can smoke weed there. Legally- not really, but it just is what it is I suppose. I have never seen the cops there until this past year & although it was WEIRD to see… it didn’t seem like a big deal. Our friend owns a shop in Christiania (there are shops, restaurants, houses, it’s a full blown town in the middle of the city) & he said give it 10 minutes and the little marijuana kiosks will be back up & running. He was right. If you go to Christiania just be respectful. On pusher street, where the marijuana is, absolutely NO photos are allowed. I would avoid taking out your camera altogether. Also, I don’t recommend staying after dark- it’s amazing during the day & nothing to worry about, but just to err on the side of caution you should leave before the sun goes down.
» The Copenhagen Lakes: just grab a lunch to go & sit by the water here. There are huge gorgeous swans you can feed & it is where the locals seem to go to relax (Danish love to chill outdoors when it’s nice out!).
» The Round Tower: if you’re looking for a Danish landmark with lots of history & a great view, visit the Round Tower. It’s a hike- but worth it.
» Tivoli Gardens: probably one of the more popular sites in Copenhagen- Tivoli Gardens is like Disneyland, but a hundred times better. The food is amazing, the rides are INSANE, & it really is so so so beautiful. The prettiest amusement park I have ever seen.
» Rosenborg Castle: I love a castle & this one is a real stunner. It houses the crown jewels & has a beautiful garden (the oldest in the country!).
» Copenhagen Contemporary: we stumbled upon this actually on our bikes & decided to check it out. It’s like an interactive contemporary art exhibit & although it’s a quickie (3 installments) we really enjoyed it! It’s near Reffen (the food truck place listed above) so you can check it out before or after you eat!!
