Thinking about a city break but still weighing up your options? Let us narrow it down to the one city you need to tick off your bucket list: Copenhagen. We’re dubbing it the be-all and end-all of city breaks, the one that you can easily squeeze into a weekend, or alternatively eke out to a four-dayer, what with its banging selection of things to do, eat, see and shop. A melting pot of all things Scandi cool, prepare to come back seriously inspired. From postcard-pretty streets to irritatingly cool neighbourhoods, slick hotels and coffee shops you’ll want to linger in for days, let us count the ways and all the reasons we have nothing but love for Copenhagen...
Short flight
The first big tick from us has to be the fact that Copenhagen is crazy quick and easy to get to. Norwegian flies multiple times a day from Gatwick for less than £30 each way. The flight is under 2 hours AND there’s wifi on board. No complaints from us. When you get there, you’re out of the terminal, straight on the train, and in the city centre in 15 minutes flat.
Photo: Via @flynorwegian.
Smørrebrød
A Danish speciality that should definitely go global, smørrebrød are open-faced sandwiches, usually made with rye bread and elaborate meat and fish toppings. One for a mid-morning snack or a couple for lunch and you’re golden. They’re so moreish, so tasty, and cheap too. Try them at Torvehallerne, the city’s biggest and best indoor food market.
Photo: Via @hallernes.
World-class dining
And for something a little fancier, there are options. First and foremost, Noma, the 5th best restaurant in the WORLD, and the one which stuck Copenhagen and New Nordic cuisine on the gastronomic world map. Next up, there’s Amass, another beaut with a seriously strong tasting menu, and Relae, another contender in the World’s 50 Best, this one coming in at #40.
Photo: Courtesy of Noma.
Chic city hotels
As for hotels, you don’t have to search hard before you find a good’un. In fact, you’ll probably struggle to pick one. While they ain’t the cheapest, they ARE the chicest. Hotel Kong Arthur and Ibsens are part of the same hotel group, and both master that minimalist Scandi aesthetic without forgetting about comfort. Elsewhere, Skt Petri is a total dream, and for something cheaper, Copenhagen’s Generator Hostel gets a lot of love as one of the best in Europe.
http://www.arthurhotels.dk/ibsens-hotel/
http://www.arthurhotels.dk/hotel-kong-arthur/
Photo: Via @framboisejam.
Cool neighbourhoods
Can we not just move into Nørrebro already? That and foodie-filled Kobenhavn are easily the coolest ‘hoods in the city, all hip boutiques, local craft beer bars, underground clubs and painfully perfect coffee stores – only without any of the pretentiousness you’d anticipate in some cities. WarPigs is the best beer bar in town with 22 taps and plenty of Mikkeller; mother pizza is damn delicious; and Kødbyens Fiskebar is simple, fresh seafood. Kobenhavn is also home to the Acne Studios Archive, which as you’d imagine, is pure joy.
Photo: Via @jonnoleigh.
Happy hours!
OK, there's no denying that Copenhagen isn’t cheap but they sure do Happy Hours well — they’re the secret to coming home with some money left. The Bird & Churchkey is an excellent gin and tonic bar, which has a great selection of gins and an even better daily 4-hour Happy Hour. #Winning.
Photo: Via @thebirdandthechurchkey.
Postcard pretty streets
Prepare to get snap happy in Copenhagen, it’s beautiful. From the minimalist interiors to the colourful and iconic Nyhavn waterfront, the whole city is a photographer’s dream – an amateur Instagrammer’s too! Apologise in advance for #Copenhagen spam on your feed.
Photo: Via @visitcopenhagen.
Great shopping
ALL the shops. Go with an empty suitcase and don’t expect to come back with much money. There’s a reason that all the Scandi babes dress so well: it’s because the local labels are excellent. All simple shapes, sharp tailoring, muted palettes. So good. Malene Birger, Henrik Vibskov and Wood Wood are a few names to start you off with.
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