10 Reasons to Love Copenhagen
Surprising, artistic, experimental, and cosmopolitan, the Danish capital overflows with cafes, culture, and history. Here are 10 reasons to adore this vibrant city.
Bicycles Rule
It’s hardly surprising that the city is often cited as the world’s most bike-friendly city. With cycle lanes and flat streets, the appeal is obvious. However, the true joy of cycling in Copenhagen is the sheer variety of bikes on the streets. Locals treat their bikes as an expression of their personalities: some attach trunks to the front of their bikes to create makeshift seats for passengers, while others transform their rides into delivery carts or mobile prams. Consider trying Rent A Bike or Bycyklen, the city’s bike-sharing scheme. The electric ‘city bikes’ can be rented and returned from stations throughout the city using the built-in tablet to enter credit card details (which also features GPS).
The Danes Know How to Play
In contrast to the commercial clutter of most theme parks, Tivoli Gardens retains much of its 19th-century atmosphere. Alongside modern rides and elegant restaurants, the gardens house antique dodgems, vintage Ferris wheels, and twirling merry-go-rounds. The pagoda-style Pantomime Theatre, built in 1874, stages ballets and Pierrot pantomimes, while oompah bands serenade visitors beneath willow trees, and Chinese lanterns twinkle overhead.
History Comes Alive
Copenhagen has a rich history stretching over 850 years. Strolling along the iconic Nyhavn harbour and wandering through quaint cobblestone streets is akin to taking a trip back in time. The city is filled with remarkable figures such as writer Hans Christian Andersen and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, and it boasts the oldest monarchy in Europe. Explore the 17th-century Rosenborg Castle, discover today’s royal functions at the Royal Reception Rooms of Christiansborg Palace, and catch the Changing of the Guard at the royal residence of Amalienborg.
Food is a Performance
Copenhagen’s gastronomic scene has flourished over the last decade, with New Nordic cuisine taking the world stage. Renowned chef Rene Redzepi of Noma has led this culinary revolution. This acclaimed restaurant, which has been named the world’s best restaurant four times, has recently relocated to showcase Nordic products in three seasons: spring seafood, summer vegetables, and autumn/winter forest and game. Other notable establishments like Kadeau, Amass, and Høst also play significant roles in this culinary movement.
The City Lives for Pastry
Copenhagen’s bakeries are stacked high with pastries, but if you ask for a Danish, be prepared for a curious look. These delights are called wienerbrød in Denmark, a nod to their Viennese origins during a nationwide baker’s strike in the 1850s. Now an iconic treat, wienerbrød remains a favorite among Copenhageners, especially at Sankt Peders Bageri, the oldest bakery in Copenhagen dating back to 1652. Renowned for its cinnamon rolls, the bakery witnesses queues on Wednesdays for its special onsdagssnegle (Wednesday cinnamon rolls).
Designed for Life
Design is a profound aspect of life in Denmark, manifesting in a passion that borders on obsession. This is exemplified at Copenhagen’s interior design store Illums Bolighus, a historic shop resembling an art gallery where each item, from lamps to coffee tables, is displayed with museum-like precision. If you’ve never fallen in love with a simple coat hanger or a piece of cutlery, your visit to Illums Bolighus will be an eye-opener.
In the Swim
If you’re looking to swim, you won’t have to venture far in Copenhagen. Just south of the center lies the Islands Brygge Havnebadet, one of two outdoor swimming pools. This award-winning pool, located on the city’s harbor, is perfect for a refreshing Scandinavian swim in warm summer waters, which rarely drop below 20˚C.
Hygge: The Danish Way
Falling somewhere between cozy, friendly, and relaxed, hygge is a concept that is challenging to translate. The best way to grasp this feeling is to experience it firsthand in Copenhagen’s harbor district, Nyhavn. On sunny days, locals can be seen enjoying the waterfront while sharing snacks at outdoor bistros. As evening sets in, they huddle under patio heaters to stay warm or find refuge in basement bars with their intimate settings characterized by low ceilings, crowded tables, and the warmth of crackling fires.
Smørrebrød
This open-faced sandwich, known as smørrebrød, features sliced rye bread (rugbrød) topped with various ingredients including cold meats, pickled or fried fish, and shrimp. For traditional smørrebrød, visit Ida Davidsen, a Copenhagen institution since 1888. The restaurant retains an old-world charm, with diners nestled in wooden booths lit by candles as waiters deliver gleaming plates of sandwiches. In recent years, a modern twist has emerged in cafes like Aamanns, where you can grab bento-style boxes for a quick meal on the go.
A Little Venice
Copenhagen shines from the water, with a network of canals weaving through the city. Although tall ships have long sailed into the sunset, the waterways maintain their integral character. In the affluent canal quarter of Christianshavn, luxury yachts, barges, and houseboats line the granite quays, while cruise boats filled with sightseers pass by elegant townhouses. As afternoon light wanes, the terraces of waterside restaurants such as Restaurant Kanalen become bustling hubs for evening diners, accompanied by buskers performing traditional Danish folk songs.
