My first time in Copenhagen: exploring the city’s coolest spots and hidden gems
By Sadaf Razi
Afghani-Australian writer and beauty editor Sadaf Razi
Hopping between Sicily and Copenhagen isn’t the traditional traveller route, but that’s exactly what my cousin and I did. As someone who has visited the Scandi city before, her trip there a couple of years ago made the Danish capital high on my to-visit list while we were planning our trip. And with a less than three hour plane ride between them, it surprises me more people aren’t adding this as a stop on their European sojourn (yes, it’s extremely pricey, but if you have the capacity to visit, and make it a short stay, I would say the only caveat). Also a great reprieve from the sweltering Italian heat (which we loved, but very much needed a cooldown—this was the perfect solution).
As a first timer, I was shocked at how much I instantly fell in love with this city. From the moment I stepped into the place, Copenhagen felt like a quiet kind of magic. Below, a small round up of “things to do in Copenhagen”—where we ate, drank and shopped.
Disclaimer: These spots are but a microcosm of what this understated yet quietly magnetic city has to offer (still worth adding to the itinerary).
La Banchina
An arresting outdoor bar (read: great pic for the IG grid) yet here, the appeal runs far deeper than aesthetics. This breezy meeting ground doubles as the perfect “summer dip” spot. A communal space where Copenhagen’s design sensibility is on full display. So much so my newly architecture-graduate cousin's first words as she showed me in, “THIS is the perfect use of public space. They know how to do it right here.”
The image above is self-explanatory of its unique and appealing cachet. Sun-dappled decking with an atmosphere that feels effortlessly cool. Afternoons here are made for lingering, meeting local dogs, drinking a vino and mozying along inside to have a late lunch. My pick? The perfectly-filling fish burger.
The crowd is as varied as it is relaxed: young travellers, students sprawled in the sun, thirty-somethings catching up after work, families enjoying lunch in the upstairs garden.
While it may look like the kind of place reserved for the “cool people”, the atmosphere is anything but pretentious. That’s the thing I loved about Copenhagen, even in the "coolest" spots, no one was judging or making you feel out of place. As a Sydney-sider and POC, this felt refreshing.
Papirøen
Another dip-and-drink spot that could have been plucked out of a Slim Aarons photograph (just swap the European coastline for some cool Scandi buildings). Again, another brilliant example of Copenhagen’s knack for public space.
If like us you stumble across this spot without swimmers on hand—no problemo. Feel free to strip down your underwear and tank, and confidently dive in just like my cousin did. Not one of the cool, collected locals so much as raised an eyebrow. Me? I enjoyed an aperol, some warmth on the skin, and people watching.
Broens Street Food
An easy stroll across the bridge from Papirøen, making it the perfect post-swim lunch stop. Find an array of street food stalls from Greek gyros to Mexican and everything in between. Grab your lunch and sit on one of the communal benches and mingle with other locals and tourists. The energy and vibe here is palpable. For more of this street food vibe you can also head to the Meatpacking District, my top pick there? Gaza Grill. Voila, the perfect day!
Cantina
Admittedly, this one was a TikTok find - and it did not disappoint. We went for the vodka rigatoni and stayed for the burrata.
Glyptoteket Museum
When it comes to things to do in Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens will surely come up, but if like us, rides aren’t your thing, step inside Glyptoteket, one of Copenhagen’s most iconic museums as a great substitute.
It’s hard not to instantly marvel at its greenhouse-like garden atrium and quiet grandeur.
Some notes and observations of Copenhagen fashion
The Danes have nailed the perfect balance of simple, cool, effortlessly chic with just the right hit of subtle, bold touches. If you’re an Aussie, imagine the sweet spot between Sydney’s breezy nonchalance and Melbourne’s understated edge. I did a whole TikTok on Cophengahen style as visual proof of how stylish the Scandi cohort really are (even when they’re casually riding their bikes to breakfast).
If you want the TLDR version, here are the main street style trends I spotted while people-watching:
Skirts and dresses layered over pants
Relaxed and tonal tailoring
Adidas pants and shorts
However, the most surprising trend I saw dominating the streets? Havaianas.
That’s right, the Brazilian heritage thongs most Aussies and New Zealanders slip on to grab groceries has been rebranded in Copenhagen as a street-style essential. So much so, I spotted them in one of the city’s coolest footwear boutiques (listed below) for $60 a pair. I quickly became comfortable sporting my royal blue ones with every day and night outfit like I was sporting a pair of Manolos.
There is ample choice for shopping cool contemporary, concept and vintage stores in Copenhagen, again these are just a few of the stops we made:
Arket
Vibe: If COS, H&M and Country Road had a baby.
A corner of the store is also dedicated to very chic and unique Scandi homewares, think: seas of green and blue ceramics, fish-shaped salad tongs and big, woolly Scandi throws.
Samsøe Samsøe
The vibe: luxury, where you splurge, GOOD denim, suede, cashmere pieces. What my very cool, stylish cousin said was one of Copenhagen’s must-visit stores that she first discovered on her trip a couple of years ago.
Weekday
Vibe: Young, cool, think an upscale Glassons. But for all ages.
The store my cool, stylish Melbourne cousin spent the most in. Think all the latest trends leaning slightly more alternative, but covering all the trends.
NAKED
That cool footwear and accessories boutique I mentioned before? This was it. For sneaker lovers, find a coveted mix of cool Scandi brands, Salomons, Adidas and New Balance in colourways that are hard to score back home.
GANNI Postmodern Outlet
Vibe: Old and new pieces, denim, and Ganni’s signature prints.
Walk through the picturesque & colourful streets of Nørrebro that lead you straight to the Ganni outlet. High on my to-do list. Did it deliver? Absolutely. From *those* leopard Ganni jeans that apparently “never go on sale you better get them” to floor-length denim skirts, the Ganni signature florals and cute accessories that feel distinctly Ganni you’ll score a great find for sure.
Vintage Shopping
Again, I did a whole TikTok on the vintage stores we stopped in if you want to see the IRL try-on, but if you're putting aside a day for vintage try: Palette 26, Veras (here my cousin picked up an epic linen suit and I tried on a vintage Roberto Cavalli leopard skirt for $70 AUD), and Thrift Planet.
For affordability and great merchandising separated into tops, boots, skirts etc. that made rummaging easy (and actually enjoyable) my top pick from the bunch would be Decades Vintage.
Words by By Sadaf Razi