Two days in Copenhagen

Located just 90 minutes away from London is Denmark’s cool capital of Copenhagen. Its sharp design, urban atmosphere and a cosy concoction of cobbled streets, craft studios and industrial bars make the city an ideal destination for city explorers. When you’re here for a weekend visit though, it’s crucial to know the very best spots to check out so we’ve put together a quick guide.

Day 1

Start at Torvehallerne at Nørreport where locals flock to eat porridge at the aptly named ‘Grød’ (Danish for porridge) or pick up a hearty sandwich at Hallernes Smørrebrød. Then grab a coffee to go at The Coffee Collective and stroll south through town, past the university and the shopping district of Strøget. Unless you’ve got urgent shopping to do, skip Strøget – most chains can be found at home.

Tivoli, on the other hand, is a neighbourhood that lives up to its hype. Its traditional carousels nestled amidst flowering gardens and outdoor seating make this old amusement park a charming afternoon distraction on sunny days. If you’re lucky, you might even stumble upon a concert or show. Next to Tivoli is the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Art Museum, which is definitely worth a visit even if you’re there just to admire the building’s stunning architecture.

Round off the day in Nørrebro, a hip, multicultural area dotted with trendy bars, restaurants and antique shops. The nearby Ravnsborggade, located along the banks of the river, is another favourite haunt for locals. Sample a variety of local beers at Kind of Blue or Cafe Gavlen before ending the day with a sumptuous three-course dinner at the charming 20A restaurant.

Day 2

Begin your second day in colourful Nyhavn, probably the city’s most iconic neighbourhood. The harbour is relatively touristy so don’t worry about going to any of the cafes or restaurants there unless you’d like to take a few snapshots of the vibrant houses that line the streets. Skip the detour to The Little Mermaid as well as the tour boats; instead, rent a bike and cycle along the river towards Christianshavn.

Set aside plenty of time to explore Christiania – one of Copenhagen’s most unique locales. The detached neighbourhood is more than just a hodgepodge of old military barracks and hippy cafes. The mix of eclectic houses, workshops, art galleries and live music venues makes this the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring – as long as you follow the rules that are posted at the entrance of the district. After Christiania, continue on to the Reffen Street Food Market where you will find a vast mix of global street food specialities.

Cycle further west and you’ll find the hipster enclave of ​​Vesterbro. Stroll down its lanes and you’ll discover amazing street art along with trendy boutiques, bars and restaurants. Vesterbro is also home to Kødbyen, Copenhagen’s meatpacking district. What used to be just a butcher’s market is now practically a nightlife district. With its countless bars, clubs and restaurants, it’s one of the city’s most popular spots for a night out and the perfect place to end your weekend in Copenhagen.