Copenhagen: A Different View

Most people will immediately think of the Little Mermaid statue, the freetown Christiania, or the colorful harbor Nyhavn, if the conversation turns to Copenhagen. But the capital of Denmark is so much more than the sum of its famous landmarks. Our guide to the hidden gems of Copenhagen, including where the locals go to eat, drink, relax and have fun.

Tycho Brahe Planetarium
Denmark’s largest dome theater is named after the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who lived in the 16th century. Explore our solar system and get smart on space while watching interesting movies about the universe in the huge theater. On weekends, kids can try the astronaut challenge, and will walk away with a diploma if they have what it takes to become an astronaut.

Værnedamsvej
The Parisian-inspired street Værnedamsvej connects the two boroughs Vesterbro and Frederiksberg. The street is known for its cafes, delicacy stores and boutiques. Go to Granola to eat brunch, and browse Danish and international interior designs at Dora. The street is also home to Copenhagen’s smallest hotel, Central Hotel & Café, which has just one room.

Queen Louise’s Bridge (Dronning Louises Bro
Named after Queen Louise of Denmark, the bridge links central Copenhagen and the borough of Nørrebro. Whenever it is sunny, people flock to sit on the bridge, talking, playing music or reading. Bring a bottle of wine or a can of beer and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and pretty views.

Pick and mix candy shops
It is almost a Danish ritual. When the Danes get off work on Friday, children and adults alike will go to the nearest candy store to pick and mix their own bag of sweets. There are countless candy shops in Copenhagen, and this is certainly one of the cheaper treats of the city.

Exploring by kayak
Skip the canal boats and see Copenhagen from a different angle with a paddle in your hands. Kayaking the city’s canals is a great way of exploring Copenhagen, and with a guide paddling beside you, you won’t get lost. Book a tour with Kayak Republic or KajakOle.


Meatpacking
District (Kødbyen)
By day, the Meatpacking District is somewhat empty, but as night falls the big, open space comes to life. The area is famous for its hip yet down-to-earth restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Juicy Burger lives up to its name and Bakken is one of the coolest nightclubs in the city.

The Cisterns
When the cisterns were in use, they supplied the entire city with clean tap water. Today, the empty underground space, repurposed in the 1990s as the Cisternerne Museum, is used to host art exhibitions and events. The darkness and low temperature make for a unique and somewhat haunting atmosphere. Keep an eye out for the stalactites.
Breathing spaces
Since most people living in Copenhagen do not have a garden, the Danes hang out in the city’s green areas when they get off work and on weekends. Go to Assistens Cemetery to visit the grave of fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, or head to Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden to look at tropical plants inside the beautiful greenhouse.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Although this msueum is not exactly a hidden gem, it is a must when travelling to Denmark. The museum has previously featured prominent artists such as Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono, and among the pieces in the museum’s permanent collection are works by Roy Lichtenstein and Alberto Giacometti. The museum is located some 40 kilometers outside central Copenhagen and can be reached by train.