Heading to Copenhagen but not sure where to start? These seven year-round winners are a great place to start.
Hang out in Kongens Have
Kongens Have. © Josefine Nedermark
If you’re after the typical Copenhagen vibe, then check out this charming public park. It’s the place where the city’s young and beautiful come to drink a beer and socialize. But if lounging in the sun isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of royal Danish history to soak up, including renaissance sculptures and the quaint Rosenborg Castle.
Eat smørrebrød
Steak tartar smørrebrød at Aamanns Establissement. © cyclonebill
If you can’t afford to blow the bank at Noma, aka “the world’s best restaurant”, then this lunch dish will give you another taste of the Nordic food culture craze. Best described as “open-sandwich”, they’re freshly baked Danish rye breads topped with a selection of meat, fish and vegetable toppings. You can find traditional smørrebrød across the city, but if you’re looking for something extra special, Aamanns Restaurant’s gastronomic interpretations of this national classic are too good to miss.
Take a quiet stroll through Assistens Cemetery
Rest in peace at Assistens Cemetery. © News Oresund
It may sound morbid, but this resting place is the best place in town to find that special sort of Danish cozy – a phenomenon otherwise known as “hygge”. Tucked behind the bustling high street in the Nørrebro district, it’s the perfect relaxation spot. Among all the hipsters resting atop of graves and red squirrels scurrying up the old oak trees, you can visit the gravestones of Danish heavyweights, including ‘The Little Mermaid’ author, Hans Christian Andersen, and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.
Visit the animals at Copenhagen Zoo
The Elephant House at Copenhagen Zoo. © Nigel Young
While it’s had quite a bit of bad press lately, Copenhagen Zoo is a must-visit for any animal lover. Beyond the polar bears, penguins and, ahem, giraffes, you’ll find one of Copenhagen’s lesser-known architectural gems – an elephant house designed by legendary British architect Norman Foster (the man behind London’s “Gherkin” and Berlin’s Reichstag).
Take in the best views of the city at the Church of our Saviour
The Church of our Saviour. © marksdk
Visitors to Copenhagen are often surprised by the city’s relatively low skyline but, what it lacks in height it makes up for in great sights, and Christianshavn’s Church of our Saviour is the best place to see them all.
After climbing the twisty (& terrifying!) 400 steps of the black and gold spire corkscrew spire you’re met with unparalleled panoramic views of the city, including the famous Freetown and “hippie commune” Christiania.
Visit the Red Square
Superkilen. © Forgemind ArchiMedia
A contender for the World’s coolest public park, the Red Square is one of Copenhagen’s newest and sadly under-seen attractions. Created in 2012, it’s one of three sections that make up Superkilen (“The Super Source”), an urban development which reflects the cultural vibrancy of the neighborhood. During the weekdays this massive splash of red is pretty quiet. But visit on the weekend, and you might stumble across a world-class skateboarding competition, a free live music festival or some of Copenhagen’s best street food vendors.
Eat a Danish (Pastry)
A delicious Spandauer Pastry. © goodiesfirst
Ok, so it’s a little cliché, but who can resist their golden, flaky charms? Known to most simply as a “Danish”, these buttery baked treats actually hail from Denmark’s European neighbors in Vienna, Austria. Choosing between the many varieties of pastry will likely be the toughest decision you’ll have to make during your time in Copenhagen, so head to one of the city’s amazing Lagkagehuset bakeries and pick up a selection.
