My Favorite Finds in Copenhagen
What I Saw, Loved, and Can’t Wait to Go Back For
I’ll start by saying this: Copenhagen exceeded all my expectations. And they were high. Very high.
About seven years ago, I read The Year of Living Danishly by British journalist Helen Russell. She moved to Denmark for her husband’s job and decided to dive into the culture of what’s often called the happiest country in the world. I was obsessed with the book at the time (still highly recommend it!) and immediately added Denmark to my bucket list.
Beyond the book and my fascination with happiness studies, Copenhagen is also a hub for modern architecture and design. Naturally, I was dying to explore the city. This month, I finally got the chance, and… oh my goodness! I’d move there right now to live my happiest life—if it weren’t for my husband, who hates cold weather. So, for now, I’ll settle for return visits.
Before the trip, I went all in on research—scouring guides, obsessively watching social media videos, and saving places on Google Maps. But honestly, most of the guides I found were pretty poor. Once I started exploring the city and getting tips from locals, my saved locations more than doubled.
That’s why I decided to write this post: to share my favorite spots in Copenhagen. This isn’t meant to be the ultimate guide or anything definitive, but rather a resource to add to your own research. There’s so much more to discover, but I’m really proud of this curated, design-oriented list. I came home buzzing with ideas after all the beautiful things I saw—and I hope it inspires you too!
AROUND THE CITY
Vesterbro
We stayed in Vesterbro, near the Central Station. This trendy neighborhood is a vibrant mix of bars, restaurants, and shops with a youthful vibe. It’s centrally located, making it a great base for exploring the city.
My favorites:
The Meatpacking District – Especially Åben Brewery
(amazing!).
Mikkeller Bar – A cozy spot for craft beer.
Louis Burger – The ambiance isn’t great, but it’s a solid option for takeaway.
The City Center
This is where most of the shops are concentrated.
Shops:
Frama Studio Store – The store itself is a must!
Hay House – Iconic Danish furniture and accessories.
Stilleben No. 22 – Beautiful tableware and curated design pieces.
Studio Arhoj – Playful ceramics - you can watch the production inside the store.
Jacobsen Plus – Contemporary furniture and design.
Mazo Design – Modern Scandinavian furniture.
Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store – Classic Danish porcelain.
Illums Bolighus – A design lover’s paradise.
Norr – Scandinavian fashion and accessories.
Naked – Exclusive sneakers and streetwear.
New Mags – Stylish books and magazines.
Rezet House – Sneakers and urban style.
Montana – Modular furniture with bold colors.
Tekla Fabrics – Premium textiles and bedding.
Lié Studio – Chic jewelry and accessories.
Helle Mardahl Studio – Stunning, colorful glass art.
To eat:
Fabro – Simple, delicious Italian food.
Gasoline Grill – Multiple locations, but the one in the gas station is iconic.
Cafe Nick – A cozy bar.
To visit:
Danish Architecture Centre – A great starting point to understand the city’s buildings.
Black Diamond – Still speechless over this place!
Garden of the Royal Library
Torvehallerne – A fresh food market.
Statens Museum for Kunst – Classical, modern, and contemporary art. The connection between old and new is stunning!
Nørrebro
This wasn’t my favorite area, but it’s perfect if you’re in the mood for vintage thrifting. Start at Hello Good Buy and explore from there.
To eat and drink: Villette, Bageriet Benji, Yellow.
To visit: Superkilen Park.
Frederiksberg
The Værnedamsvej street and its surroundings are full of wonderful spots for shopping, eating, and drinking. This area is vibrant and lively.
My favorites:
Dora – Curated home goods.
Sakura – Japanese Pottery.
Sing Tehus – Special tea.
Italo Thai – Italian cool restaurant.
Sonny – A great café.
Østerbro
In this area, visit Nordhavnen, a modern district with stunning architecture and lots of waterfront connections. You can even stop by the office of architecture firm Cobe, known for iconic projects worldwide.
Cool shops: The Audo, Pas Normal Studio (cycling-focused).
To eat: Atelier September, Juno the Bakery.
Christianshavn
I’d love to explore Christianshavn during summer—it looks incredible! But even in cooler weather, there are plenty of spots to visit.
To visit and eat:
Ferm Living House
Opera Park – New and award-winning.
Hart Bageri - Lots of locations, loved the one near the Opera Park.
Copenhagen Contemporary – I didn’t have time to visit, but it’s high on my list!
Circle Bridge
On my list for next time: La Banchina, POPL Burger, Lille Bakery, and Reffen Food Court.
Disclaimer: These recommendations are very home-and-decor-focused because that’s just my vibe! I’m not much of a fashion person, though a few clothing shops still made it onto the list.
TRANSPORT
Copenhagen is small and totally walkable (or bikeable). The public transportation is excellent and always on time. A 24-hour ticket cost €12 (including the airport train). We mostly walked but used the metro for longer distances or after sunset when it got a bit too cold to wander comfortably.
I hope this list gives you some inspiration for exploring Copenhagen—it really is such a special city! There’s still so much I didn’t get to see, so if you have any questions, need more tips, or even have recommendations for my next visit, let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
See you soon,
With love,
Thanks!! this is really helpful, planning a trip very soon.
Your guide is great Raquel, thank you for sharing!