Copenhagen is a hip European capital with a lot going for it. Copenhagen is all about cool design, great food, and unique historic architecture. Here’s how to experience as much of it as possible in two days:
DAY 1
10AM NY CARLSBERG GLYPTOTEK
DANTES PLADS 7 DANTES PLADS 7 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Visit the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, one of the world’s finest art museums, full of Manets and Monets, Gaugins and Lautrecs, Renoir paintings and sculptures, and collections of Degas’s dancers. Stop in the museum’s café for open faced sandwiches heavenly pastries served in a beautiful leafy atrium – the pastry chef there has her own TV show and the minute you bite into one of her buttery morsels you’ll see why her cakes have achieved celebrity status.
1PM TIVOLI GARDENS
VESTERBROGADE 3 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Head over to Tivoli Gardens one of the world’s oldest amusement parks right in the middle of the city, operating since 1843, and scare yourself silly by riding the Star Flyer, the world’s tallest carousel, which whizzes you around in a swing 80 metres above the city (and gives you a fabulous unobstructed view). There are lots of great old-fashioned rides and fair games, as well as beautiful gardens and plenty of places to grab a coffee.
4PM DANISH DESIGN CENTRE
H. C. ANDERSENS BOULEVARD 27 H. C. ANDERSENS BOULEVARD 27 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Visit the Danish Design Centre and marvel at how inventive and cool the Dane’s are. From classic furniture to packaging, you’ll see plenty of examples of 21st century thinking (and you can splurge of design classics in the excellent gift store).
6PM MADKLUBBEN
STORE KONGENSGADE 66 STORE KONGENSGADE 66 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Eat at Madklubben, a bistro famous for it’s modern interpretation of Scandinavian peasant fare and a great place to explore Danish cuisine, which has, over the past few years become world renowned (Bon Appetit magazine calls Copenhagen “the new must-visit foodie destination”). You pay by the course, which is common in the city’s restaurants, and three courses is 200 krone (approximately $35). You pay extra for some dishes, such as lobster, but there is plenty of choice within the standard cost menu. Their Nordic Charcuterie Plate is outstanding.
9PM NYHAVN
NYHAVN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Walk over to Nyhavn, a busy street of bars and restaurants divided by a canal, which is in turn filled with house boats and sailing vessels. It is a picture perfect street, and a great place to stop for a beer or three on a mini-pub-crawl.
DAY 2
10AM AMAGER TORV
AMAGERTORV 6 AMAGERTORV 6 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Shop where Denmark’s blue bloods do. In one block of Strøget, the city’s major shopping street, you’ll find Amager Torv, a square that holds the Georg Jensen and Royal Copenhagen flagship stores, as well as the royal florist’s storefront, the Illums Bolighus department store and Royal Copenhagen Antiques (a window-shoppers dream come true). In a leafy courtyard amongst these regal stores sits The Royal Café, the perfect place to grab a coffee and a pastry.
12PM AMALIENBORG PALACE
AMALIENBORG SLOTSPLADS AMALIENBORG SLOTSPLADS COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Then visit beautiful Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of the Queen of Denmark, built in the 1700s and a fine example of Rococo architecture. It is actually made up of four palaces, two of which they let commoners explore.
2PM CHRISTIANA
SYDOMRÅDET 4B, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Make tracks to Christiana, the legendary self-governed free town (in Copenhagen) with it’s own set of nine basic laws. It’s a hippy haven, and complete contrast to the rest of the city. There’s a pub, bakery and plenty of interesting local colour to check out.
5PM NATIONAL LIBRARY
SØREN KIERKEGAARDS PLADS 1 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Walk along the waterfront, checking out some of the incredible architecture along the way (including the National Library known also as the Black Diamond which is so reflective it seems to merge with the sky) and say hello to iconic sculptural landmark The Little Mermaid, who sits on a rock in the harbor across from the Opera House.
7PM NØRREBRO BRYGHUS
RYESGADE 3 RYESGADE 3 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Head to Nørrebro, the city’s multi ethnic neighbourhood to eat at the Nørrebro Bryghus, a microbrewery and restaurant that features an ever-changing menu of hand crafted beers and a very interesting menu that uses beer in most dishes (such as rooster in a red beer sauce). Nørrebro is where Copenhagen’s hip and beautiful come to party, and there are lots of great bars in the neighborhood should you wish to turn the evening into a party.
WHERE TO STAY: KONG ARTHUR HOTEL
NORRE SOGADE 11 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Stay at the gorgeously appointed Kong Arthur Hotel, which is close to all the action and the height of luxury. The suites are huge, and the service is excellent.
