A Weekender's Guide to Copenhagen: Where to Stay, Eat, Drink and Shop
From a design-led hotel in the Latin Quarter to the vintage stores locals actually shop at, here's how to spend 48 hours (or more) in Copenhagen.
For Australians, the classic European holiday pilgrimage used to be all about the Mediterranean beach bars or the vibrancy of London and Paris. Today, the itinerary has slightly diversified — or should we say, hygge-ified? — with the inclusion of Copenhagen.
It seems like every second person on Instagram is now peer-reviewing the viral chicken sandwich that Dua Lipa said she'd "fly back for," or stockpiling their wardrobe with Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen and vintage treasures. While the Danish capital might be small in size, with a population of around 670,000 people, it absolutely feeds you — with an array of independent boutiques and vintage stores, memorable food experiences, world-class museums and characteristic architecture that blends charming, Hans Christian Andersen-like townhouses with monolithic works of modernism. And just quietly, the people-watching's unreal. You'll eat up the distinctive street style while nibbling on a cardamom bun.
Time it right and you'll catch Copenhagen Fashion Week, when the city lights up in even more colour and dopamine. There's still plenty left on the must-do list, mind you — pedal-pushed, that is, since cycling is Copenhagen's transport of choice. Whether you're there for a weekend or a whole week (you lucky thing), you'll quickly find excuses to book a round two or three, because Copenhagen rarely runs out of reasons to come back.
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Stay
Copenhagen has no shortage of eco-conscious, design-led hotels — whether you're after the sumptuous interiors of Villa Copenhagen (where the style set usually rests their heads during Fashion Week) or the Parisian sensibilities and remote-working motivation of Coco Hotel. But the standout pick of the bunch is the year-old 1 Hotel Copenhagen. While it's a new addition to the city's historic Latin Quarter, 1 Hotel Copenhagen is already a class favourite. It's especially buzzing during Fashion Week, with guests convivially mingling and sipping on seasonal cocktails (try the zesty Rose Spritz) in the open-plan, foliage-filled lobby, while fashion insiders duck into exclusive spaces for events. Originally a 1930s department store, the sustainably minded 1 Hotel group took over the former, ultra-modern Skt. Petri hotel in 2025 — which previously hosted VIPs such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.
It's now a 282-room eco sanctuary, teeming with biophilic design, blonde-wood Danish modern furniture (sustainably reclaimed, like the earthy textiles throughout) and native greenery. The light-filled lobby is anchored by a cosy open fireplace and modular seating, with attentive bar staff at PAERE. It spills out onto the terrace herb garden, which supplies the kitchen with fresh ingredients, and the equally social, Italian-infused restaurant. Its seamlessness becomes even more apparent during the day, with a labyrinthine breakfast bar of champions — the buns and waffles are not to be missed. Guest rooms are equally spacious and bathed in light, infusing Danish artisanal design with 1 Hotel touches, from recycled-glass carafes to sand timers in the shower — to help you fold into the natural rhythm of Copenhagen. Perhaps there's a reason behind the number one name.
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Eat and Drink
On a smaller (maybe sharper?) scale, Copenhagen has plenty in common with Melbourne, Paris and London — you could spend weeks tasting your way through the city and still stumble upon some hole-in-the-wall bakery. Except in Copenhagen, it's probably a window. One only needs to check out the viral, two-Michelin-starred Kong Hans Kælder for proof, though it's worth booking well ahead. In the meantime, tick off a few Copenhagen crowd favourites. Charge up for a day of wandering with a quintessential Danish breakfast plate from Apotek 57. An Instagram favourite that's also frequented by locals, the minimalist bakery sits inside Danish furniture and objet d'art store FRAMA, occupying a historic 19th-century pharmacy building in the Nyboder district.
You'll also find the equally popular cafe Atelier September just down the road. Known for its cardamom buns, seasonal and creative pastries and savoury waffles, order a plate of soft-boiled eggs, house-baked sourdough, whipped salted butter, regional cheese and house-made jam. It's as essential in Copenhagen as it is sensual, awakening an almost primal hunger for basic, nourishing ingredients. And because most food-related desires are coated in sugar, grab a takeaway cardamom bun on the way out. It's no exaggeration to call this one of the best pastries in the city — buttery, well-spiced and lightly sprinkled with sugar. Absolutely divine.
One thing to note: Apotek 57, like many cafes and bakeries in Copenhagen, only serves filter coffee, so if that's not your thing, you might want to head elsewhere for your caffeine fix. Try Prolog Coffee instead — B Corp certified, with specialty roasts, high-end pastries and four locations across the city. It looks the part — coffee served on wooden trays, indie mags lining the walls — without ever leaning try-hard. SOURCE EMBED If you want a classic bakery experience, though, head to Juno The Bakery in quiet Østerbro. It's famous for having some of the best cardamom buns in Denmark (that one's for the Danes to decide) — and the queues to prove it. You'll find lines here on any given day, and plenty of fashion folk fuelling up for the day ahead. Don't skip the almond croissants either; they're among the best versions of the frangipane classic in the city.
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Alternatively, head to Lille Bakery, in a more industrial part of the city, past iconic food venue Noma and opposite La Banchina — another local legend, where swimmers and sunbathers dine on crispy cod burgers and locally sourced oysters. The bakery and cafe sits within one of those stripped-back, revamped warehouse spaces. There are ample pastries, custard-filled Berliner doughnuts (their signature), sourdough breads and focaccias to keep you well carb-fed, plus granola bowls for a little Nordic balance — the crunchy house-made mix with organic yoghurt and tiny blueberries is a good call for a light start, ahead of another cinnamon bun later on.
When it comes to dinner, drinks and bar bites, Bar Pineau on Sønder Boulevard has a laidback, local feel. Expect natural wine, mismatched tables, vinyl spinning and seriously good gildas and cheese toast. Prices are also reasonable by Copenhagen standards — a welcome relief when you'll probably blow your budget elsewhere in the city. If you're happy to wait a little, Pompette is another natural wine bar with fair prices and a particularly good orange wine selection. A little je ne sais quoi in Nørrebro, it offers a few Parisian-inspired pre-dinner snacks like ricotta and anchovies, and cheese platters with bread. But if you're after something more substantial, head to the takeaway counter next door for one of Pompette's spicy fried chicken burgers. You can bring it into the bar (same owner), or eat on the street like the rest of the neighbourhood does.
Delphine in Vesterbro is great for a Mediterranean, sharing-style feed (get the crispy grilled chicken and pommes frites with lemon mayo) with sun-drenched, artsy, Grecian-inspired interiors. Meanwhile, Bistro Royal comes locally recommended for elegant all-day French and Danish classics in the heart of the city, around Kongens Nytorv. SOURCE EMBED Just around the corner, you'll find old-world glamour at bar TATA, inside the decadent Hotel Sanders — a 54-room hotel founded by former Royal Danish Ballet dancer Alexander Kølpin. Theatre-inspired and moody, with a green-room feel, TATA serves seasonal house cocktails like the Spring Ball — a Millionaire's Martini with an indulgent twist of apricot liqueur and Veuve Clicquot — and the boozy, polished Left Bank Martini. Don't be surprised if you leave seeing visions of sugarplum princesses.
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Shop
As it's the unofficial fifth fashion capital after Paris, London, New York and Milan, come with an empty-ish suitcase and sturdy walking shoes, because you'll be shopping a lot. All the high-end Scandi brands you're probably more familiar with online than in person are dotted throughout the city, from Caro Editions on Borgergade and Stine Goya on Gothersgade, to Baum und Pferdgarten on Vognmagergade, Cecilie Bahnsen on Store Strandstræde and Ganni on Bremerholm. Ganni even has a concept outlet at Overgaden Oven Vandet if you're after one-off designs or archival pieces.
If you want to look beyond the household names, Copenhagen has some of the best independent boutiques and designer stores, with elevated curations of emerging and established Scandi and European labels. Look out for ANOTHER nué on Krystalgade, Mr Larkin on Gl Kongevej, MKDT Studio on Store Strandstræde and Tekla on Vognmagergade. For those rarer pieces sure to provoke a "where did you get it from?!" reaction, luxury consignment stores such as Reseller Copenhagen on Klareboderne, Time's Up on Krystalgade, Jerome in Vesterbro, Magnolia's on Købmagergade, O-S-V on Peder Hvitfeldts Stræde and Carmen on Larsbjørnsstræde are absolute treasure troves for the vintage magpie.
And for the more offbeat, eclectic shopper, Quirky Lane Vintage on Studiestræde, CRU$H Vintage on Nørrebrogade and PRAG on Nørrebrogade and Vesterbrogade have some of the city's wildest prints, patterns and statement jackets. While wardrobes change with the seasons, accessories tend to have a little more staying power, so if you're after a wearable souvenir, or just another styling tool to enhance an outfit, look no further than Pico. A bit of an if-you-know-you-know accessories brand, Pico has three stores across the city, stocking some of the cutest claw and hair clips, whether rhinestone-festooned or classic tortoiseshell, as well as plenty of cute socks and jewellery. It's all about embracing your inner child and the intentionality of the little things — and if the Copenhagen girls know anything, it's that personal style lives in the finishing touches. They know the power of a good barrette or headband.
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See and Do
If you're shopped out, or after a more cultured excursion, there's plenty to do in Copenhagen beyond the boutiques. Start with Tivoli Gardens, the 1843-built fairytale amusement park that inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland, or pack a pastry picnic for the expansive Botanical Garden or King's Garden. For the quintessential Copenhagen postcard, wander along the colourful 17th-century harbourfront of Nyhavn or journey to The Little Mermaid statue on the Langelinie pier.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is raved about by locals and tourists alike — it's Scandinavia's most-visited museum, known for its modern architecture and open-air sculpture park with panoramic ocean views. It's about 35 minutes from Copenhagen Central Station, so consider it a half-day outing — but an outing well spent. And naturally, you can't come to Copenhagen without getting on a bike. Do as the locals do by hiring one for the day (many hotels offer them at a day rate), weaving through the city's iconic cycle lanes between neighbourhoods, bakeries and boutiques. It's arguably the best way to see the city, discovering new streets, shops and green spaces at a speed that's fast enough to navigate, but human enough to feel.
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Top image: Tony Webster/Flickr.