The Perfect Day in Copenhagen

@afar
 on 2022.02.03
12 Places
@afar
The perfect day in Copenhagen is easier to arrange than you may think. As a city famed for its work-life balance, an ideal day in Copenhagen mixes contemporary Danish lifestyle and historical city charm. Start by soaking in the sunshine of picture-perfect Nyhavn, visit Tivoli Gardens, hit the stylish boutiques to check out the famed Danish aesthetic, sip some famed Danish beer, then sample some unforgettable Copenhagen cuisine. Credit: Collected by Alex Berger, AFAR Local Expert

Nyhavn

Harbor ¡ Store StrandstrÌde

"Colorful harbor Last week we spent 5 days in Copenhagen , Denmark. October is, for me, the best time to visit. It's colder and there are more chances for rain but the number of tourists is drastically lower. I did not feel suffocated by them at all. Nyhavn harbor was almost empty every day. I love traveling in the shoulder season."

CafĂŠ Royal

Permanently Closed

"Whimsical Coffeeshop off the Stroget The rainy or cold weather can make walking down the famous Strøget in Copenhagen , Denmark in the off-season a little tiring. There's a little bit of magic just off the main walking street in the form of the Royal Cafe. The high pink walls and large windows let in a lot of light, which reflects off the artfully placed mirrors and display glasses. Rest on funky-patterned seats at small or large community tables and order a coffee or a custom smørrebrød known as a "Smushie" to warm up."

Georg Jensen

Silversmith ¡ Niels Hemmingsens Gade

"Georg Jensen Jewelry This jeweler has a reputation for excellence and its relationship with Danish Royalty. With a Danish heritage, the brand bears the label, "By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark" and is known as the go-to jeweler for Denmark's royalty. Of Georg Jensen's many designs, one of the most popular among Danes is the daisy earrings and pendants, which are simple and elegant."

Illum

Department store ¡ Kronprinsensgade

"Not Your Typical Big-Box Department Store Illum is one of two major Danish department store chains. The store is famous for its excellent selection and taste and features fashion, interior and design options as well as a large beauty section. It even features a delightful bakery with excellent breads and sweets. A shopping trip to Copenhagen isn't complete without a visit to Illum."

Amalienborg

Palace ¡ Hindegade

"Amalienborg Palace When you think of a royal palace, you usually think of one set building. In Copenhagen 's case there are actually four distinct buildings which surround a large central square. Why four? Apparently, because it was originally inhabited by four noble families. Only, when Christiansborg Palace burnt down in 1794 the royal family needed a new place to live. For the king and queen, it wouldn't do to live in the same palace lesser nobility had previous inhabited. The solution? Acquire all four noble houses and turn them into a super-palace. While the Queen still uses some of the buildings as her winter residence, others are open to the public or converted into a museum. This is also a fantastic spot to see the changing of the guard, and for a slice of history head to the corner facing the fountain (and opera house). Looking back into the square, you'll see a small patch of damaged stucco. That patch is an un-repaired piece of the palace that illustrates blast damage from WWII."

Tivoli Gardens

Theme park ¡ Bernstorffsgade

"A fairy-tale town deserves a magical funfair. Tivoli Gardens is one of the country’s most popular attractions, drawing more than four million visitors a year (in a country with a population of around 5.5 million). Youngsters will enjoy the rides, while their parents will appreciate the nostalgic charm and the wide range of dining options, from hot dogs and churros to "New Nordic" gastronomy."

Nørrebro Bryghus

Temporarily Closed

"Forget Noma - Nørrebro Bryghus Is Where You Need To Be Beer aficionados, listen up. I'd be willing to bet that your ale-induced reveries often took you to a place almost too good to be true, where the homemade beers not only rocked your socks but also your taste buds with a mouth-watering, upscale menu. Dream no longer, dear friends. And head to Copenhagen . The owner of Nørrebro Bryghus, Anders Kissmeyers, founded this brewery in the hopes of broadening the visitor's taste for Danish beer and improve their palate by offering high-quality, memorable products and an easy access to the brewing process. Mission accomplished. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am by no means a fan of beer, but the sheer atmosphere and dedication of the Nørrebro Bryghus employees made me giddy with excitement. With reason - this dinner was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, both on the alcohol and food level. I opted for the 3 course and 4 beers dinner - good food, good beers, and lots of fun, at affordable prices by Danish standards."

Hotel D'Angleterre

Hotel ¡ Store Regnegade

"The Finest Hotel in Copenhagen After closing its doors for two years, the 250-year-old D'Angleterre hotel reopened in the spring of 2013, unveiling the first phase of a massive makeover. Every inch of the landmark hotel was in some way touched by the redesign, from the famed Marchal restaurant to its iconic façade. Each detail was considered to elevate the d’Angleterre back to its former status as Scandinavia's most exclusive hotel. The updated hotel features Space Nordic spa (the indoor pool and hammam open in December 2013), Denmark's first champagne bar, the Balthazar, and a revived experience in the Marchal restaurant, now helmed by Michelin-starred former chef-to-the-Queen Ronny Emborg. While the design touches are decidedly Danish, the hotel's grand Franco-Danish history is still very much present. Click through their website to read more of the backstory!"

Copenhagen Opera House

Opera house ¡ KvÌsthusbroen

"Opera Island As viewed from the water, the Copenhagen Opera House is quite an imposing structure. Clocking in at a cost of over half-a-billion (yep) dollars, it is to date one of the most expensive opera houses ever constructed. It actually resides on its very own island, Holmen, but due to its close proximity to the shore it doesn't really come across that way. The only link to land is via two enormous bridges made of aged oak. And the overall architecture of the building itself is only surpassed by the amazing voices that reside within its walls."

Manfreds

Permanently Closed

"Intimate Atmosphere with Table-Friendly Food This is a project from the folks behind RelÌ. A natural wine bar situated in the heart of Nørrebro, the restaurant delivers modernized versions of everyday food with special attention paid to high-quality ingredients selected from the same suppliers who service RelÌ. As their website says, this includes "biodynamic vegetables from Kiselgürden, roots from Lammefjorden, pig from Grambogaard, lamb from Havregaard and herbs from the forest." Photo: Heather Sperling (spersper on flickr)."

Relae

Permanently Closed

"Don’t be fooled by the modest interior with its white walls and simple wooden furniture or by the unfussy approach to food here. Relæ thinks big. Founded by two Noma alumni, it is dedicated to creating great cuisine from sustainable sources, a commitment that’s earned it a place on the list of the world’s 50 best restaurants (at number 39, one of only two Copenhagen restaurants to be so recognized). The menu is vegetable-centric, with such dishes Jerusalem artichoke mousse with passionfruit and coffee or fried salsify with salsify purée and bergamot. There are two menus: The Relæ Menu for 475 kroner ($75) or the Relæ Experience for 895 kroner ($143), with wines an additional 395 kroner ($63) or 685 kroner ($110), respectively."

Photo courtesy of Per Anders Jorgensen/Copenhagen Media Center

1105 København K

Postal code ¡ SvÌrtegade

"A Polished Cocktail Bar 1105 is the embodiment of a Copenhagen cocktail bar. With a sleek internal ambience, skilled bartenders, a vibrant cocktail menu, and relaxed but still classy vibe, it is highly popular with local Copenhageners. About 3 minutes' walk from Nyhavn, it is also perfectly situated for an absolutely charming night out. Photo courtesy of 1105."