Copenhagen for the Culturally Curious (and Caffeine Dependent)

A wildly luxurious, moderately educational, and occasionally ridiculous guide to Denmark’s capital

So You’ve Decided to Go to Copenhagen. Good Call.

Congratulations! You’ve chosen to vacation in a place where the locals are better dressed than your Instagram algorithm, where bikes outnumber cars, and where pastries are both breakfast and personality.

This guide will take you through three days of Copenhagen magic—equal parts luxury, laughter, and stylish self-discovery—so you can experience the city like a Danish insider with great taste and excellent bike balance. than your Instagram algorithm, where bikes outnumber cars, and where pastries are both breakfast and personality.

Copenhagen is the kind of city that makes you question your life choices. Why don’t you bike in a wool coat while sipping an oat milk cortado? Why can’t your apartment look like a Muuto showroom? Why isn’t your city built around candles and good design and occasional Viking energy?

But don’t worry. I’m here to help you fit in—if only for 72 glorious hours.

Where to Stay: Because You’re Fancy Now

Whether you're a couple, a solo traveler, or traveling with little ones who think bicycles are magic and pastries grow on trees, Copenhagen has something stylish and comfortable for every kind of guest.

Hotel d’Angleterre

Do you enjoy chandeliers, romantic city views, and being doted on like it’s your birthday every day? Then Hotel d’Angleterre is for you. Perfect for couples on a romantic getaway, solo travelers in search of five-star solitude, or anyone celebrating a milestone with dramatic flair. Established in 1755 (yes, older than most countries), it’s not just a hotel—it’s where you pretend you’re royalty, or at the very least, royalty’s effortlessly elegant cousin. Established in 1755 (yes, older than most countries), it’s not just a hotel—it’s where you pretend you’re royalty, or at the very least, royalty’s effortlessly elegant cousin.

Pro tip: Start your mornings with a croissant and sparkling water at the Marchal restaurant, and pretend you have a stressful meeting with the Danish Minister of Style.

Hotel Tivoli

If Hotel d’Angleterre . Playful, modern, and perched next to Tivoli Gardens (yes, the fairy tale amusement park), this spot blends whimsy with skyline views and minimalist furniture you’ll pretend you don’t want to steal. Great for families with young children (hello, rides next door), teens (who will absolutely Instagram the lobby), or creative adults who appreciate a rooftop cocktail as much as they appreciate free Wi-Fi. is a Jane Austen novel, Hotel Tivoli is a Wes Anderson film. Playful, modern, and perched next to Tivoli Gardens (yes, the fairy tale amusement park), this spot blends whimsy with skyline views and minimalist furniture you’ll pretend you don’t want to steal. Great for families, creatives, and anyone who enjoys rooftop cocktails next to a pool they will admire but never enter.

Andersen Boutique Hotel

Looking for something stylish and central without maxing out your credit card? Andersen Boutique Hotel is a delightful 4-star option in the trendy Vesterbro district. With bright, design-forward rooms, free wine hour (yes, that’s real), and a super short walk to Tivoli Gardens and the Central Station, it’s perfect for families or travelers who want both flair and functionality.

Where (and What) to Eat: Copenhagen Bites Worth Biking For

Copenhagen’s culinary scene is both elegant and experimental—with menus that mix time-honored traditions and design-forward presentation. Here are a few must-try spots and dishes:

• Marchal – Located at Hotel d’Angleterre, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers refined French-Nordic cuisine in a setting fit for royalty. Don't miss the butter-poached turbot or the duck breast with blackcurrant jus.

• Barr – A relaxed yet ambitious waterfront spot serving hearty dishes inspired by the North Sea region. Try the house-made sausages, sourdough bread with whipped pork fat, or the tangy fermented fries (trust us).

• Grøften at Tivoli Gardens – A colorful, kid-friendly classic known for Danish comfort food. Try frikadeller (meatballs), creamy stegt flæsk med persillesovs (crispy pork with parsley sauce), or a Danish apple cake.

• Torvehallerne Food Market – Perfect for sampling a little of everything. Try a fresh open-faced sandwich (smørrebrød) topped with pickled herring or roast beef and remoulade. Finish with a flaky kanelsnegl cinnamon pastry.

• Hija de Sanchez – One of Copenhagen’s beloved curveballs: a taco stand run by a former Noma chef. Danish ingredients meet Mexican flavors in ways that make your taste buds rethink everything.

• La Banchina – A tiny dockside café where locals soak in a wood-fired sauna before diving into the harbor. Stay for natural wine and a plate of smoked fish or burrata on rye.

Things to Know Before You Pedal

• Everyone bikes. Including babies. Including dogs. Including people carrying furniture.

• Jaywalking is illegal. The Danes will not yell, but they will judge you silently—and that hurts worse.

• Danish people are friendly, but in a “don’t sit too close on the bus” way. Respect it.

The 3-Day Copenhagen Itinerary You Didn’t Know You Needed

Day 1: Biking, Castles & Mermaid-Sized Disappointments

Morning:Rent a bike. You will feel like a fraud for the first ten minutes. That’s normal. Push through it. Head to Nyhavn, the colorful harbor where people sip wine at 10 a.m. and pretend not to be freezing. Grab a pastry the size of your face. It’s a kanelsnegl. It’s Danish for “we don’t mess around with cinnamon.”

Late Morning:Cycle over to Rosenborg Castle. Gasp at the crown jewels. Wonder aloud if it’s legal to own a cape in Denmark. (It is. Please get one.)

Afternoon:Visit The Little Mermaid statue, which, while smaller than you might expect, is more “little” than “mermaid.” Still, you’ll feel obligated. Take the photo. Move on quickly.

Evening:Head back and clean up for dinner at Marchal if you’re staying at d’Angleterre (the duck is life-changing). Or, if you’re Team Tivoli, enjoy a dreamy evening stroll through Tivoli Gardens with lights, rides, and surprisingly good mulled wine.

Day 2: Design, Anarchy, and a Little Bit of Cheese

Morning:Breakfast at Torvehallerne Market. Try five types of smørrebrød and call it “research.” Chase it with a strong coffee that may or may not awaken your ancestors.

Midday:Pop into the Designmuseum Danmark, where even the trash bins are probably award-winning. Touch everything. Then pretend you didn’t.

Afternoon:Time to explore Freetown Christiania—Copenhagen’s infamous free-spirited enclave, originally established in the 1970s as a social experiment and still going strong as a colorful haven for artists, dreamers, and the occasionally barefoot philosopher. Walk around respectfully. Do not attempt to understand it. Just enjoy the vibes.

Evening:Dinner at Barr, located in a stunning warehouse on the harbor. It’s Danish meets Baltic meets “Oh my god, is this fermented?” Say yes to everything.

Day 3: Family Fun, Royalty, and Rooftop Views

Morning:If you're visiting with children, it's time for a full-day adventure in Tivoli Gardens. Arrive when the gates open and explore this magical amusement park, where fairy-tale rides, puppet theaters, cotton candy, and themed restaurants will keep the entire family entertained. Little ones can try the vintage carousel or the dragon boats, while braver souls can scream their way through the old wooden roller coaster. If you’re not with kids—or just pretending not to be—you can opt for a spa morning at Hotel d’Angleterre. You deserve it. You’ve been pedaling like a local and digesting pickled herring like a pro.

Midday:Take a short break from the rides to grab lunch at one of Tivoli’s themed restaurants (we recommend Grøften for Danish comfort food in a colorful garden setting). If you're skipping Tivoli, head to Amalienborg Palace and wave at the royal guards. They won’t wave back. That’s the point.

Stop by CopenHot, where you can soak in a floating hot tub while cruising around the Copenhagen harbor. Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s wonderful.

Evening:Final dinner at Nimb Brasserie with a view of Tivoli Gardens, where elegant chandeliers meet candlelit coziness and the seasonal menu dances between Danish tradition and creative flair. It’s the perfect setting to savor your last evening—think fresh seafood, rich sauces, and desserts so pretty they make you hesitate (briefly) before devouring them. Toast to your adventures with a glass of Champagne and say “skål” like you mean it.

Final Thoughts: Is It Possible to Fall in Love with a City?

Yes. Especially when it’s a city where design is sacred, bikes have right of way, and happiness is considered a public good.

Copenhagen isn’t a checklist destination. It’s a feeling—of clean air, open skies, impeccable sweaters, and the smell of cinnamon sugar floating through cobbled streets.

You’ll return home with stronger legs, higher standards, and possibly a pair of Danish shoes you swore you couldn’t afford.

And if someone asks what Copenhagen was like, just say:“Imagine Paris and Stockholm had a bike-riding, coffee-loving, furniture-obsessed baby. That’s Copenhagen. And I want to move in.”