Copenhagen City Break - Design Lover's Travel Guide
Scandinavia had been on my travel bucket list for quite a while and, as an interior designer, the capital of Denmark was top of that list. I finally made it to Copenhagen this month for a three-day break with my friend. We packed so much in, from design and architecture to castles and boat tours, with plenty of wandering and soaking up the atmosphere along the way. In this blog post, I’m sharing the highlights of our trip, including must-visit museums, historic buildings and my favourite spots for strolling.
Useful info before you go
The pretty Nyhavn waterfront area in Indre By
Getting around
Copenhagen is made up of a handful of distinct neighbourhoods, from the historic streets of Indre By (the city centre) to the colourful canals of Christianshavn and the cool, industrial vibe of Vesterbro (the meatpacking district), but everything is handily close together. It's so easy to hop between areas by metro or on foot and the airport is just a 15 minute metro ride from central Copenhagen. Beware of the bike lanes (they're everywhere!) - cycling is how most local people get around.
The Copenhagen card
I highly recommend buying a Copenhagen card at the beginning of your trip. Cards for between one and five days are available to buy via the app. We got a 72 hour one which cost £116 and covered entry into all of the museums we visited, as well as bus and metro rides, so it was well worth it.
The best time to visit
Most travel guides recommend visiting in the warmer months (between April and September), and the annual 3 Days of Design festival takes place in mid June. We went in early October. The temperature was fine but it rained every day (I'd describe the second day as a wild storm). The umbrellas we borrowed from the hotel were a godsend and the rain didn't ruin our trip at all but visiting in summer would have been a very different experience - we might have even braved a harbour swim.
Design Museums and Galleries
Designmuseum Danmark
The design museum is an absolute must for any design enthusiast! I'm not sure my friend quite understood my excitement at being in a room full of iconic chairs. Housed in a beautiful former hospital, the museum celebrates classic Danish design and its influence on modern design, with exhibitions featuring icons like Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Kaare Klint. You’ll find everything from timeless furniture by Carl Hansen & Son to smaller design objects. One of the highlights for me was the iconic Frankfurt Kitchen — an original model of the 1926 kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, often described as the first modern fitted kitchen. Even the museum shop is worth a visit - it’s filled with beautifully crafted pieces, from pretty vases to design books.
Danish Architecture Centre (DAC)
I loved this place! The main permanent exhibition looks back on the history of Danish architecture from the Viking period to the present day. There are special exhibitions throughout the year, with a focus on the future of architecture and a big emphasis on sustainability.
House of Finn Juhl at Ordrupgaard Museum
Ordrupgaard Museum is set in a lovely park just outside of Copenhagen’s centre and has a fantastic collection of Danish and French art, as well as temporary exhibitions. It’s also home to the House of Finn Juhl, which is packed full of his iconic mid-century furniture. From the silver table in the dining room to the little glove cabinet in the bedroom, Scandinavian interiors inspiration doesn’t get much better than this! You’ll need to catch a train and a bus from the city centre to get here but it’s well worth it.
Historic buildings
When you think of Copenhagen, most people picture mid-century modern design but the city also has a rich architectural history, with lots of castles, palaces, churches, and beautifully preserved historic buildings to explore.
Rosenborg Castle and Gardens
A stunningly preserved early 17th-century royal residence, full of opulent rooms, decorative arts and royal furniture. The gardens are a lovely relaxing place for a stroll, but still close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
The Marble Church
One of Copenhagen’s most prominent landmarks, this 18th-century Lutheran church has an enormous green copper dome and an elegant Rococo-inspired interior.
Thorvaldsens Museum
This museum is dedicated to the work of Bertel Thorvaldsen, Denmark’s most famous neoclassical sculptor, and it was actually the first museum in Denmark when it opened in 1848. Its brightly coloured halls (in the same colours as the exterior) display stately sculptures of gods and people, paintings and ceiling frescoes. And the mosaic floors are amazing!
Royal Library and the Black Diamond Library
The Royal Library, with its striking modern extension known as the Black Diamond, is a must-see in central Copenhagen. The sleek black granite and glass building contrasts beautifully with the historic library behind it. Because the facade of the building is angled towards the water, it reflects the ripples and waves, making it shimmer like a diamond. There are amazing views from inside too. It’s located close to the Thorvaldsens museum and the Architecture centre.
The spire at the Church of our Saviour
It's quite a steep and tiring walk up to the top of the spiral tower, but the views are definitely worth it!
See the city from the water
You know when sometimes you book a boat trip and end up sitting there listening to some guy drone on about nothing and wondering why you bothered? Well this one isn’t like that. It’s really interesting and our guide, Henry, told the story of Denmark in a very amusing way (I had no idea that the Swedes and the Danes had such a bitter rivalry)! The ‘Classic Tour’ is an hour long round trip, setting off from Ved Stranden 26, and it's free with the Copenhagen card.
We saw all sorts of things, from the Black Diamond Library and the kanon at Castellet, to cool eco-friendly housing developments and the famous little mermaid. It was VERY cold out on the harbour - I felt like a freezing Viking - so just make sure you wrap up warm.
Freetown Christiania - Quirky Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s famous commune was founded in 1971 when a group of artists and activists took over an abandoned military area. Since then, it’s developed into a colourful, self-governing neighbourhood full of street art, quirky houses, and a really relaxed, boho atmosphere. It’s a really unique place to wander around - Copenhagen’s answer to Hebden Bridge!
Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a coffee at Kultur Caffeen Christiania.
Visiting with kids?
This is a great city to visit with kids. We went to a few other non-design related museums that I think children would especially enjoy.
Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park
Not many cities have a theme park right in the centre! With its colourful buildings, landscaped gardens and quirky details, Tivoli feels a bit like stepping into a magical storybook. We visited on the first day of the Halloween celebrations so it was decked out in spooky decorations and had a fun whimsical feel, with pumpkins aplenty.
The Museum of Danish Resistance
For a dose of history, this is a really interesting museum that tells the story of the people who stood up against the German occupation during World War 2, in an interactive way.
Ikono Museum
IKONO is made up of several immersive rooms that combine art and play, including a ball pit, a mirror maze and a confetti room.
Where to shop
Hay House - The flagship store, showcasing the latest accessories and furniture collections.
Ferm Living - Visit the home of Ferm Living at their flagship store, set in an 18th century building near the Christiania canals.
Vintage stores and flea markets - I loved stopping off at some of the many vintage shops we wandered past. We didn’t make it to Vesterbro’s renowned flea market but it’s definitely on my list for next time! Most of the shops offer international shipping if you’re short of suitcase space.
Eat and Drink
Gaza Grill (Vesterbro - Meatpacking district) - with fantastic food and a relaxed atmosphere, the Gaza Grill serves delicious middle eastern cuisine, made from local ingredients based on original family recipes from Palestine. I highly recommend the chicken shawarma!
C’ho Fame (Latin Quarter) - A cosy Italian restaurant with very friendly staff, serving tasty pizzas.
C’ho Fame Restaurant
Torvehallerne food market (Norreport) - a covered market packed with fresh produce, gourmet treats and street food stalls - the perfect place to try delicious Smorrebrod (Danish open sandwiches).
Oscars (Frederiksstaden) - a lovely spot for lunch or a glass of wine.
Cafe Segalls (Indre By) - a lovely cafe for coffee or breakfast, serving things like avocado on rye, overnight oats and delicious Danish pastries.
Where we stayed
We stayed at the Huxley, a lovely boutique hotel in a great central location, about a 5 minute walk from Kongens Nytorv metro station and just a stone’s throw from the waterfront. All of the rooms are decorated in a typical Danish style - ours was one of the smaller rooms but it was perfect for a three night stay, and great value for money.
