Denmark - Copenhagen
As a Colombian living in Los Angeles, traveling to new cities always means one thing – Google Maps becomes my best friend! I love gathering recommendations from clients and friends and pinning those places on my map. That way, once I get to my destination, I can just walk around and hop from bars to coffee shops to art galleries. Copenhagen was no exception, and it lived up to the hype in every way.
First off, it’s true what they say – Copenhagen is a bike lover’s paradise. It's one of the safest cities to ride a bike, and every corner is bike-friendly. I stayed in an Airbnb in Nørrebro, and I have to say, there are so many amazing places and neighborhoods to explore that I could honestly see myself living there... except for the winters (I'm not a fan of the cold!).
In Nørrebro, I visited Superkilen Park and had some great meals at Casamadre, an Italian restaurant. For coffee, I recommend Friheden or Jægersborggade. If you’re a brunch lover like me, check out The Sixteen Twelve. For a fine dining experience, I went to Jatak, and for live music RUST. The city is packed with cocktail bars, and in the summer, it's just magical.
One of the highlights was biking around the Peblinge Lakes and stopping at NR30 Spisested & Vinbar. Afterward, we rode through the beautiful botanical parks and checked out the local fresh food market, Torvehallerne KBH. The market has a similar vibe to farmers' markets back in the U.S. We also visited Rosenborg Castle, and wow, it was windy that day! Copenhagen is full of castles, museums, churches, and cultural spots, so there’s plenty to explore depending on your interests.
If you’re into modern art, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a must-visit up north, though I didn’t make it there this time. I did check out the contemporary art at a baroque-style building, which I think was a school or library next door. There’s also a great vibe at Apollo Bar, with cool people and fun music. If opera is your thing, the Copenhagen Opera House is stunning too.
One day, we biked across Knippelsbro Bridge to visit Freetown Christiania in the Christianshavn neighborhood. It’s such an interesting place, starting in 1971 as a squatted military base. You’ll find Pusher Street, famous for its open trade of cannabis, which is technically illegal in Denmark. It was a unique experience seeing people of all ages walking around with marijuana.
I was traveling with my girlfriend, who lives in Sweden, and since we’re pretty active, we rented electric bikes. Getting around was a breeze. On one of our rides near the water, we discovered places like Popl Burger, Barr, and Nærvær, then headed north to this amazing coffee and donut spot called Hart Bageri Holmen, right on the waterfront. It was stunning.
We saved the best for our last day: the Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center. It was incredible! There was a street food market nearby, and the weather was perfect. The water in Copenhagen is so clean that people just lie on the docks, jumping in for a swim while sipping beers or natural wine. My favorite spot from the trip was definitely La Banchina. They serve oysters, natural wine, fresh salads, and grilled fish right next to a little garden. They even have a sauna where you can take a dip after a cold plunge – such a vibe!
I wish I had more time in Copenhagen, but I’ll definitely be back. If you ever visit, make sure to experience the city on a bike, soak up the summer sun, and enjoy the laid-back culture.
