Even though Copenhagen is a capital, it has a small-city feel and you can get to know it pretty quickly. Most of the tourist attractions can be seen in one or two days. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of exciting alternatives to explore. It’s shaped by history and innovation, street markets, museums, second-hand stores, small local designers, and trendy neighborhoods with plenty of restaurants or green spaces. The choice is yours. Whether you’re new to Copenhagen or have visited before, take a look at some of our favorite places in the city!
Ride through Magstræde and stop for board games at Bastard Cafe
Both Magstræde and its neighboring street Snaregade, are two of the oldest in Copenhagen. Despite two destroying fires this historical part of the city has survived. They date back to the 16th century but get more and more beautiful each year. However, be careful when biking here and hold on to your handles tight because they still feature the original cobbling.
Just behind the corner, you can find a very unique and fun place, Bastard Café. Providing not only food and drinks but most importantly over 100 board games you can try for free. Since it opened in 2014, the space prides itself on being open and inclusive, filled with students, families, geeks and friends meeting up. Bastard Café is for everyone, regardless if you know the rules or not. Friendly volunteer game gurus are always happy to help you out and get started. A quick tip: students get a 50% discount and if you’re coming with a large group, it’s a good idea to book a table.
Grab some snacks and go to Assistens Kirkegård for a picnic. Bikes are welcome!
Denmark’s most famous cemetery is the final resting place of many famous Danes, such as Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard. Today, as one of Nørrebro’s most interesting and lush green oases, people go for a stroll, bike ride or picnic here during the whole summer. Find a perfect spot on the bench or grass and relax with a book. Or you can bring some friends and a grill! There are also many hip places around Nørrebro, to order some food or drinks for take-away. Depending on if you’re planning brunch or dinner. Try Pow for delicious vegan pizza or Andersen & Maillard for coffee and pastries. Hop on a Donkey bike, and make your way to the beautiful park. Here is a guide for how to rent a Donkey.
Ride through the most buzzing street of Copenhagen, where you’ll find small artisanal shops and eateries
It might be hard to believe that about 300 meters can house so many exciting spots. Around 40 art galleries, vintage clothes, ceramics and jewelry designers, wine bars, coffee shops and restaurants can all be found in hip Jægersborggade. Only a few years ago, this picturesque street was full of suspicious types wandering around. However, now violence is out and charming places are in. The ‘it streets’ of Europe were also mentioned in The Guardian!
Park your bike here and see what interests you the most. Among our favorites here are micro-roastery The Coffee Collective, which cooperates with farmers to develop sustainable production and to improve the quality of the coffee. Underground wine bar Terroiristen, a french bistro focused on fish Silberbauers Bistro, porridge only GRØD or one of the oldest restaurants at Jægersborrgade, which received a Michelin star in 2012, and Relæ are all worth mentioning. Beautiful secondhand clothes from Scandinavian and international designers can be found at Tú a Tú. Don’t forget to check out the handmade jewelry by Danish designers at Ladyfingers, Ceramicist Inge Vincents’ studio shop or Craft Sisters for knitted products that support women around the world. To top things off this street also hosts a flea market each spring.
Download the Donkey Republic App
and start riding
Make your way to Refshaleøen for a swim, while riding through the houseboat quarter in Christianshavn
On a sunny day, ride your Donkey bike around Christianshavn, through Krudtløbsvej and all the way to Refshaleøen. In recent years, the area has been buzzing with activity. New cafés, bars, creatives and entrepreneurs are now claiming the land dominated by shipyards in the past. The harbor offers perfect sunset views and an opportunity to jump into the water, for example at La Banchina.
A walk-in restaurant and wine bar also has an on-site sauna. During the stay, you can choose from breakfast, lunch and dinner, focused on vegetables and everything the sea can provide. The restaurant strives to maintain a thoroughly sustainable concept. Copenhageners bike here to soak in the sun, take a dip and enjoy food with natural wine here.
If you’re craving a pure nature, go for a ride through Amager Fælled
Hundreds of people, especially Copenhageners living in the new homes in Islands Brygge and Ørestad, use this peaceful park as a playground. Amager Fælled is a place to play football, run, bike, sunbathe in the sun, have a picnic, barbecue, walk the dog, gather berries and flowers, or just relax. There is also a pond that is a popular fishing spot, while the area around Grønjord Lake is a great place to picnic, drink coffee and watch the sun go down. You can even bring a one-time BBQ from the nearest supermarket and make your own lunch. If you’re lucky, you may even hear a nightingale, as several of them reside here. It really offers something for everyone.
Take a trip back in time to explore the Meatpacking district
Last but not least, another great way to experience the city on a more personal, local level is to spend some time in the Meatpacking District. Located in the Vesterbro neighborhood, once an industrial part of town, has become popular with its central location and diverse activities. No matter how much the Meatpacking District gets modernized it seems that it will never get rid of its food-related past.
If you feel like Italian we would recommend riding to Mother and trying their homemade penne pasta. For seafood Kødbyens, Fiskebar is the perfect option. Tommi’s Burger Joint or Gorilla are another possibility. There’s something from street food, Indian and classic Danish cuisine as well. From time to time, the place also hosts different events such as street food festivals, and the day of coffee or wine festival.
However, visiting the Meatpacking district is worth it not only for drinking and dining. Many industrial buildings are now that the butchers moved out, home to contemporary art galleries. There’s for example V1 Gallery, which represents both established and emerging Danish artists, and Gallery Poulsen or Photography Center, which curates Nordic photographs. Join the locals hanging on the steps drinking beers after work and take a ride through old slaughterhouse streets. There’s a lot to explore here.
