My trip to Copenhagen – personal travel guide

Since you guys liked my travel guide about Moscow and Tulum so much, I decided to share my favorite places in Copenhagen with you today. A personal travel guide with recommendations on where to stay, what to do and where to eat. It is no secret that Copenhagen is a beloved European travel destination and that its inhabitants are constantly ranking among the happiest people on earth. I really love spending time in Copenhagen and can’t wait to be back again.

Where to stay

Whenever I travel to big cities, I love staying at small and intimate hotels. I really like hotels that are located in the city center – there is nothing better than discovering a city by foot.

I spend my days in Copenhagen at Hotel Danmark. It is a small but beautiful hotel with a mix of classic and modern Danish design. The hotel is located in the heart of the city, a few minutes away from the National Museum and the main shopping street. Rooms are super tiny but very stylish and comfortable. The food was amazing. The hotel restaurant is known for its traditional smorrebrod, but also offers a great variety of à la carte dishes. I can really recommend the avocado bread!

Other nice hotels in the city center:

Hotel Sanders: a beautiful luxury boutique hotel in the city center, a few steps away from the Royal Danish Theatre. It is both, luxurious and homely. The restaurant is amazing.
Hotel SKT PETRI: A laid-back 5-star hotel, located in the heart of Copenhagen’s quarter Skt. Petri. Rooms are very spacious with a great view over Copenhagen. It is a nice hotel for a short city trip. I can really recommend the location and the hotel itself, but prefer to have my breakfast somewhere else.

Where to eat – restaurants & cafes

When it comes to food, Copenhagen has definitely understood the demand for healthy dishes. You can grab a fresh juice or salad at almost every corner. Joe & The Juice is literally everywhere!

Breakfast and lunch:

Hotel Sanders: Hotspot and place to be from early mornings to late nights. You can grab a quick bite or enjoy a long meal. I loved spending my mornings at the restaurant in a cosy window seat with healthy and delicious breakfast and extremely good coffee. The restaurant offers a great selection of high quality food and a relaxed atmosphere.
Atelier September: Art and coffee under one roof! If you’re on the hunt for natural food and artisan coffee, Atelier September is the place to be. The minute you enter the small cafe you instantly feel at home. A cozy decor, fresh flowers and good coffee. The perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or a coffee in-between. Plus: An elegant gallery space behind the cafe serves for various pop-ups and exhibitions.
Sonny: I can only recommend visiting Sonny for a good old avocado-toast or homemade granola in the morning. It offers a nice selection of delicious food and drinks, including banana bread, sandwiches and Matcha Latte.
42raw: Despite not being vegan or vegetarian, I really liked the food at 42raw. 42raw offers plant-based food, that convinces any meat lover. They serve anything from raw balls, to veggie burgers or pizza.
Democratic Coffee: Democratic Coffee is the perfect spot for a delicious panini or fresh croissant. Located in the public library, it offers places to work, study or enjoy a quiet coffee in the morning.

Dinner:

Spaghetteria: Spaghetteria is a vibrant Italian restaurant in the center of Copenhagen, serving traditional and classic Italian food. You can order a set menu of 4-6 dishes of antipasti and a huge portion of homemade pasta. The menu changes daily and the selection of wines is extremely good.
Mangia: homemade filled and fresh pasta – honestly the best I ever had, so pure and tasty! A very selected menu, of course with lots pasta dishes but also sea fruit carpaccio or entrecôte – everything is a MUST!
Gorilla: Gorilla is a fancy place, that is divided into a classic restaurant area and a separate bar area. Gorilla offers great cocktails and fancy dishes and is the place to be at the weekend. An exuberant mood and interesting guest everywhere.
Lalala: Lalala is a beautiful restaurant, serving delicious French dishes. The food was excellent and the atmosphere amazing. The restaurant has a beautiful garden where you can actually sit in a greenhouse. Pure relaxation!
Sticks’n’Sushi: Sticks’n‘ Sushi server high quality and fancy sushi and meat from the grill. Ever if you’re not keen on fish, you will find plenty of dishes you like.
Gasoline Grill: If you love In & Out Burger as much as I do, you definitely have to visit Gasoline Grill. Freshly made burgers, with simple ingredients and seasonal greens. All you need after a long and busy day. (FYI they’re rebuilding the restaurant rn, but have a food truck – check their IG)

Shopping in Copenhagen

Denmark’s exceptional design definitely is a gift to us girls and Copenhagen is a true shopping heaven. It has something to offer for every budget from high-fashion brands to street fashion, from designer shops to antiques and vintage.

Stores you have to visit:

ILLUM: ILLUM is Copenhagen’s premium department store. It reminds me a lot of KaDeWe in Berlin. Offering everything from wine and food specialities to fashion and beauty, design and home decor.
Magasin du Nord: Magasin du Nord is a chain of department stores, similar to Galeries Lafayette. It sells a large selection of products including fashion and beauty, home and kitchenware, toys and books. What I really liked about Magazine du Nord is its huge collection of national Danish designers and brands. Plus: The beauty selection is amazing. I couldn’t get enough of the international beauty products.

Not to forget all these stylish scandi brands such as Baum und Pferdgarten, Samsoe Samsoe, Designers Remix and ARKET.

Vintage shopping:

Magnolia’s Luksus 2ndhand: Magnolia’s Luksus 2ndhand offers an amazing selection of luxury vintage pieces and current fashion must-haves ( second hand and in very good condition). You can buy everything from Balenciaga, to Valentino or Dior. A paradise for fashion and designer lovers.
Times Up: Times UpVintage is a pure source of inspiration. Located in the city center of Copenhagen, it has specialized on rare vintage designer pieces. A journey through time full of exciting discoveries in every corner.
OSV: OSV second hand fashion is another great second hand shop in Copenhagen. It sells women and menswear and offers a huge and constantly changing variety of designers everyday.
Jerome Vintage: Don’t miss Jerome Vintage when traveling to Copenhagen. It is such a cool place. Outstanding vintage pieces mix with luxury designers and create an unconventional yet harmonious picture.

Where to visit

Take a boat: If you ever travel to Copenhagen, you have to explore the city from water level. You can hop onto any of the boats and go on a tour along Copenhagen’s iconic landmarks, such as the beautiful Opera House or the statue of the Little Mermaid.
A guided tour of Christiania: Allow enough time for a tour through Freetown Christiania when traveling to Copenhagen. Christiania is located in the Christianshavn area and you can get there by metro or bus. Cars are not allowed in this area. About 900 people live in this former military base, in a community that has its own rules and regulations. An intentional community and commune, partially self-governing but tolerated by the Danish government. The area is managed on a grassroots democracy. Christiania operates on a self-administered system. It has its own court that deals with community disputes and police matters, its own flag and even its own currency. In conflicts, most of the people rely on themselves. It is a center of freedom and resistance. Christiania is home to anarchists, freethinkers and hippies. The self-management of the area is built on, that every individual has a responsibility for his or her own life and his or her own house.