A weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a city I fell in love with in the first minutes of exploring. Everything is close, everything feels considered and there’s this effortless mix of design, food and everyday life that makes you want to stay a little longer than planned. It somehow makes you feel connected to the city from the moment you arrive and I had the feeling the city just leads you to the perfect corners all the time. The perfect seasons to visit Copenhagen? Absolutely late spring and summer till October. We visited in the end of May, the temperatures were just perfect for sightseeing, exploring neighborhoods by bike, brunch outside and relaxing in the sun with a drink or two but as the sun sets it might get a bit colder.
Copenhagen in a nutshell
Best time to visit – May to September is the best time to visit for long daylight hours, warm temperatures, brunch & dinner outside and a vibrant outdoor atmosphere
Where to stay – Coco Hotel, Hotel Bella Grande, Hotel Sanders, 1 Hotel Copenhagen, Admiral Hotel Copenhagen
How many days – 3 days are perfect to experience Copenhagen's main highlights, 4 to 5 days allows you to explore more of the city's neighborhoods and take a few slower days
Best things to see & do – Nyhavn, Rosenborg Castle and the King's Garden, shopping in Indre By, Tivoli Gardens, coffee hopping, bike tour to Dragor, explore the neighbourhood of Vesterbro, city views from the round tower
Where to brunch – Atelier September, apotek57, Sonny, Riviera, Apollo Bar
Where to go for dinner – The union kitchen, Lilo Vinoria, Restaurant Donna, Hidden Dimsum, Olise, Delphine, Pompette, Poulette, AyeAye
How to get around – By bike is the easiest and most authentic way to explore Copenhagen or simply by foot if you’re just up for walking around the most important things. Copenhagen also has a metro system which connects the airport to the city center in under 15 minutes as well as busses and trains for some day trips to areas nearby
Where to stay
Copenhagen does boutique hotels really well. Each has its own personality but all are rooted in that signature Scandinavian simplicity and designs which make you fall in love with every corner of the hotel.
Coco Hotel in Vesterbro is located in one of our favourite neighbourhoods - there are so many restaurants and cafes in walkable distance and the hotel simply feels like a calm and stunning hideaway with its small courtyard and cozy design.
Bella Grande is a little more design-forward, the restaurant almost feels like stepping into a museum with a slightly cinematic feel. It is located a bit closer to the center and the famous area around Nyhavn.
Hotel Sanders is pure atmosphere. Think of warm and effortless luxury with a rooftop that feels like a secret escape above the city.
1 Hotel Copenhagen brings in a more eco-luxury approach with earthy tones, natural materials and a strong focus on authentic sustainability.
Admiral Hotel Copenhagen is located right by the water and close to the famous area of Nyhavn. It is designed in an industrial charm.
Best things to see & do
Copenhagen is not a city you do in a strict sense, it’s more a place you drift through or where you’re getting lost in while wandering around.
Start with Nyhavn, even if it’s busy, just for that postcard-perfect row of colourful houses. From there, it’s easy to lose yourself in the city’s rhythm. A walk through the King’s Garden and Rosenborg Castle feels like a quiet pause in the middle of it all.
Of course, the city is made for cycling, so renting a bike is almost non-negotiable, especially if youre plannig on exploring some areas nearby or visiting smaller towns like Dragør or some beaches around.
When it comes to neighbourhoods, we really loved Vesterbro and Indre By. Each of them feels so different even though everything is so close together but you’ll definitely catch the different vibes. Vesterbro is perfect for a morning walk with a coffee in one hand and a cinnamon bun in the other. There are many different brunch and coffee spots but also a few cute shops like Boii, GANNI and Aesop. Indre By means something like center and is absolutely a must to explore, even if you’re just visiting for a short period.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of fun, Tivoli Gardens is surprisingly magical, especially as the sun sets and the lights turn on. For views, the Round Tower is a great choice, especially during golden hour.
And then there are the little moments that truly make a trip to Copenhagen special: stopping for an aesthetic coffee spot between long walks, discovering the city through its brunch places, browsing beautifully curated design stores or cycling out to surrounding areas where life slows down and the city feels a world away.
Where to brunch
Brunch in Copenhagen is more of a ritual and it is non-negotiable to try the traditional danish breakfast plate with sourdough bread, butter, a soft-boiled egg, local cheese and jam as well as the famous pastry Copenhagen is known for such as cardamom buns.
Atelier September has different locations across the city with slightly different menus. It’s quite a famous spot and there could be some waiting time, especially during peak hours and on weekends, but it is definitely worth a visit.
Apotek 57 has a stunning interior. Make sure to also visit the Frama design store next door.
Sonny feels a bit more relaxed and neighbourhood-like, perfect for slow mornings. Make sure to try the famous Smørrebrød here.
Riviera brings an almost Mediterranean energy to the table and is usually not as crowded as other brunch spots. I absolutely loved the pastry here.
Apollo Bar is ideal when you’re looking for a brunch spot close to Nyhavn. It is located in a small courtyard and therefore feels like a short getaway from a quite vibrant, sometimes crowded area.
Where to go for dinner
The Union Kitchen is one of those all-day favourites that works just as well for brunch as for dinner. The menu is international with a Nordic base, mostly made for sharing.
Lilo Vinoria is a wine bar with delicious dinner options. Expect a small but curated menu in a warm setting that feels like a neighbourhood secret and hidden gem.
Restaurant Donna brings a more colourful energy. It is modern, vibrant and ideal if you want something that feels a little more special.
Hidden Dimsum is a fun contrast to Copenhagen’s Nordic identity. It’s an authentic Dim Sum spot, perfect for when you’re in the mood for something completely different.
Olise and Delphine both lean into that Copenhagen dining aesthetic. Think of minimal interiors, thoughtful plating and a focus on seasonal menus.
Poulette is one of Copenhagen’s most talked-about fried chicken spots and Pompette is a tiny, walk-in natural wine bar. They are both located directly next to each other and while Poulette is all about quick food you might grab on the go or eat on a small table outside, Pompette invites you to spend some moments with a glass of wine next door.
How to get around
The easiest way to experience Copenhagen is by foot and by bike. But I must say, biking in Copenhagen is part of the lifestyle. Once you’re on a bike, the whole city suddenly feels smaller, more connected and incredibly vibrant. Walking works just as well if you’re just exploring a few neighbourhoods. Everything feels close enough that you rarely need to rush.
For longer distances the metro is fast and a great choice, especially for getting from the airport into the city in under 15 minutes. Buses and trains also make it easy to explore slightly further areas or even take a quick day trip outside the city.
Copenhagen is not about ticking off landmarks, but about slowing down enough to notice the details: the way people cycle everywhere and how effortlessly design, cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday life blend into one another.
It’s a place best experienced without too much planning. A morning coffee turns into a long walk, a quick dinner becomes a late-night wine stop and suddenly you realise that the best moments weren’t the ones you planned but the ones you accidentally walked into. And maybe that’s exactly what makes Copenhagen so special. It feels lively, welcoming and inspiring all at once. A city you feel like you need to return to.