Your winter travel guide to Copenhagen, Denmark

Located at the gateway to Scandinavia and often unfairly compared to its more famous European counterparts, Copenhagen has a lot going for it. One of the happiest cities in the world, Denmark’s capital city boasts stunning European architecture, rich culture and readings of “hygge” (a Danish word roughly translated to “cozy vibes”). With these and a few unique and charming twists of its own, Copenhagen should be a stop on your next trip to Europe.

Like other European cities, Copenhagen has a strong subway system that goes everywhere. However, it is recommended to get around the way the Danes do: by bike. Copenhagen is the most bike-friendly city in the world, with some of the world’s leading roads and many side streets hosting bike lanes. It is common to see more cyclists than cars on the road. The ubiquity of bicycles, combined with the city’s small size, overall flatness, and diverse, beautiful landscape make it an ideal way to get around. While there are many options for securing a rental, the Donkey Republic app is recommended. Many other options require Wi-Fi, which may not be available on a mobile signal for international visitors. Donkey Republic only requires Bluetooth – no internet access required. Once you’ve got your tires, check out these places.

Just north of downtown, this hip neighborhood lives up to its current reputation with streets lined with amazing yoga studios, amazing vintage stores, and an overall creative, bohemian vibe. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Søerne (The Lakes in English) surrounded by beautiful Danish architecture, take a vinyasa class at Yoga Loft, or browse the bargains on Nørrebrogade and Ravnsborggade. Indulge in Copenhagen’s fabulous cuisine at one of the many vegan-friendly options on Jägersborgade, or enjoy some live music while grabbing a bite from a food truck in nearby Folket Park, one of Nørrebro’s many green spaces. The nearby large and diverse Hans Tavsens Park is perfect for a bike ride through the tall trees, a stroll through the dense, flowery gardens, or an easy, relaxing day in the sunshine with a good book in hand. The park is home to the Astense Cemetery, the burial place of Hans Christian Andersen and many other Danish intellectuals, so the fairytale landscape is no accident. Finally, don’t miss the famous Superkillen Park, which is divided into three distinct zones. The “Green Zone” offers grassy areas lined with public benches, and the hustle and bustle of skating on brick terraces fills the sports-focused “Red Zone”. At the heart of the park there is a “black zone”, a gathering place of tables and chairs interspersed with ubiquitous white lines on a flat landscape. Superkillen showcases Copenhagen’s uniqueness through internationally inspired elements and enhancing the character of the park. Grab a cappuccino from one of the many cute cafes nearby and discover these seemingly random foreign objects, Russian neon signs, Moroccan fountains, Turkish chairs and exercise equipment from California.

Once considered one of the city’s slums, the Vesterbro district has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with a number of gourmet restaurants and live bars popping up in the former industrial quarter. The Meatpacking District’s warehouses hide a true foodie’s paradise, with seafood, Japanese and vegan-friendly options waiting to be found among a wealth of cuisine. More of Copenhagen’s unseen green spaces can be found on the leafy Sonder Boulevard or Skydebanehaven, the latter of which is a former 19th-century shooting range, with an ornate wall originally designed to protect pedestrians from bullets still standing. Solo travelers should consider staying at City House, a fun hostel in the heart of the neighborhood, and visit nearby Absalon, a charming community center that doubles as Copenhagen’s quirkier side. Meet a new friend during the nightly community dinners, which are inexpensive and open to the public, or enjoy a variety of events, from Hatha yoga classes to art workshops to wild dance parties. Explore the beautiful photography and art exhibitions at the V1 and Paulson Galleries in the Meatpacking District. In the evening, see a performance at the Vega, a cozy, wooden aesthetic in a building called the Public House, an important meeting place for the Danish labor movement. The unique setting allows Vega to offer a wide range of musical experiences in all genres, from massive, blockbuster affairs to smaller, more intimate sets.

Centrally located, Indre Bay contains much of Copenhagen’s impressive architecture, particularly in Amalienborg and Rosenberg. The latter, a stately 17th-century Dutch Renaissance style, is surrounded by the impressive, expansive Kongens Have (King’s Garden). To the north on the water front are the charming windmills of Kastellet, a former 17th-century fortress on a green, star-shaped island now covered with bike paths and hosting live music concerts in the summer. For an unforgettable day of fun, head to Tivoli Gardens, which is said to be the second oldest amusement park in the world. Take a thrilling ride on the Demon Roller Coaster, explore the lush, colorful Chinese Garden, or enjoy exciting live music on one of the park’s many stages. For a fun dose of Danish nightlife, head to Hotel Cecil. After midnight, the hotel transforms into Cecil AM, a dive bar that offers wild dance parties and locally brewed alcohol in a cozy basement bar. Heading towards the waterfront east of Indre Bay, the colorful row structures that make up the Nyhavn district reveal themselves to provide some of Copenhagen’s most famous photo opportunities. Bisected by a canal and flanked by several high-end restaurants, grab a table outside and enjoy the gourmet food on hand and the breeze.

While the many tourist boats that are frequently seen around town can be a fun way to see the Danish capital, consider taking a paddle and exploring the canals via kayak. In addition to boasting a hip bar, Kayak Republic offers charters that promise an unforgettable exploration of Copenhagen’s waterways. Cruise the ubiquitous Christianshavn canals and paddle north to the Holmen district for dinner and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at La Bancina waterfront restaurant. Then head north to the Reffen district, offering the largest street food in Scandinavia as well as live music, trivia and craft workshops. The artistically inclined will find much to like at the nearby Copenhagen Contemporary, a former welding facility that is now home to an impressive array of avant-garde artworks. If a day on the water doesn’t sound appealing, there are still plenty of things to do on foot in the area. Enjoy the charming craft bars and wine shops in Christianshavn, or look out over the Øresund Strait from the top of the Culture Tower, which offers a stunning view of central Copenhagen.

No trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Freetown Christiania. Christiania’s origins date back to 1971 when a group of hippies began hanging out in an abandoned military camp outside of Christianshavn. Kristiania grew into its own vibrant community over time, turning into a meeting place for the Danish counterculture. People-watching is unparalleled in the Green Light District, where colorful marijuana-selling vendors can be heard buzzing through tensely painted platforms. Christina’s amazing nature is absolutely ripe for exploring on foot, with incredible artwork waiting to be discovered around every corner. Many houses and buildings are covered in graffiti installations and murals, and the ALIS Wonderland skate park hosts some of the best street art and graffiti displays in the city. Grab a coffee from Café Nemoland, watch live comedy and music at Christianias Jazzklub and Børneteater, or check out the area’s many outdoor markets showcasing local creativity. Christiania’s proximity to the waterways offers many pleasant walks in the neighboring park, a wonderful place to watch the beautiful city lake and sunset. For a fun place to spend a summer evening, hang around the massive food court, with its array of food trucks to choose from and its large outdoor stage featuring live music with an unmatched Christian vibe.

John Sizemore is a travel writer, photographer, yoga instructor, and visual entertainment developer from Austin, Texas. Follow him on Instagram at @sizemoves. In his spare time, John enjoys learning foreign languages ​​and immersing himself in other worlds, especially exploring the world of music, movies, games and books.