We are passionate about our city, and we want you to become a part of it. That’s why we are called “be Copenhagen”. Given the chance we will pull your attention away from the Little Mermaid, the Round Tower and Nyhavn, because they are not on any Copenhagener’s list of things to do and places to go. Instead we will point you in direction of the truly valuable places, the hidden gems, and the experiences that will make you truly appreciate Copenhagen for what it is – and never want to leave.

Grab a bike

Our first and best tip is to get on two wheels and experience Copenhagen’s unique bike culture first-hand. Copenhagen is best seen on bikes, at a suitable pace for the changing scenery, and Copenhagen has the world’s best bicycle infrastructure.
Or maybe get a Christiania Cargo Bike and give your child, spouse, friend or grandparent a royal ride (yes, both King Frederik and Queen Mary have often been seen transporting their children around the city in a cargo bike).
You can rent a bike here.

Superkilen and Maersk Tower

It’s (not) a park. It’s (not) a playground. It’s (not) a sports area. And it’s (not just) an art project. We don’t actually know exactly what it is or isn’t, but it’s an amazing urban space you just have to see. The Maersk Tower nearby is a part of Copenhagen University but has an amazing viewpoint on the 15th floor, open to everybody. And if you arrive by bike, you can enter the building in style by simply biking directly towards the basement door, which will open automatically and reveal an amazing bike parking garage.

Metro Art

A trip on the Copenhagen Metro is a must-do for both adults and children, and if you do the M4 line to Havneholmen station you’ll have your world turned upside down and sideways.
Actually, you know what? Get out and have a look around at each and every station.

2400 Nordvest

This is the hip and upcoming area of Copenhagen, and you won’t regret paying a visit.
Rentemestervej and its surroundings is a good place to start. Get the best pizza, coffee and pastry at places such as the Democracy Garage, Juno the Bakery, Kaffedepartementet just to mention a few. Or get into a cosy and very local atmosphere at the bar Åbenbar. While you are there, stop by BIGs social projects at Dortheavej and Sjakket, explore COBEs Library Biblioteket Rentemestervej and get inspired at Thoravej 29, a place housing a creative community with a radical architectural approach to upcycling and building transformation. And don’t miss the Insta-friendly outdoor gallery of 16 murals at Møntmestervej!

The Maritime Youth House and Amager Beach Park

Don’t ask. Just go. You won’t regret it. Trust us!
Continue to Amager Beach, which is ‘The Beach’. In the city. But very much a beach. Go check it out.

Grundtvig’s Church and the Dance Chappel

Visit this jaw-dropping world-famous church made of 6 million hand-polished yellow bricks and masonry second to none. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the Dance Chappel nearby, a venue and studio for modern dance in a transformed former crematory (yes!) and chapel open for all, just go in. Don’t miss the stunning ladies’ changing room in the basement (only if you are a lady, that is..!)

The Traffic Playground – and just playgrounds!

Visit this one-of-a-kind playground where children can enjoy themselves while learning how to be safe in traffic and make new friends. In general, playgrounds in Copenhagen are of high quality and are often manned. On official city maps (you can get one for free at our shop), they are marked, so if you need a break for play look up the nearest one!

Eat like a local, together with locals

There are a number of exciting places with communal dining where you can try local food and meet Copenhageners. We would, first of all, like to highlight Absalon, which is located in a former church on hip Vesterbro and Kanalhuset in charming Christianshavn.
Every neighbourhood has a community centre (Kulturhus) where you most often find a good local and affordable meal – ask a local where to find one!

North Harbour

Go there to see some astonishing architecture in Copenhagen’s newest 5-minute neighbourhood! Start with a coffee at Cobe’s HQ across from the amazing International School covered in solar panels, run up the stairs to the rooftop playground at Lüders Konditag, go for a harbour swim next to the Portland Towers… Go shopping, eating, strolling and don’t miss the public winter garden inside the spectacular huge rotunda building.
You can top it up with a sky bar drink at Silo. And jump on the harbour bus afterwards, even bringing your bike along.

Kalvebod Wave and Bymilen

The Kalvebod Wave is a wavy wooden structure reaching out over the inner harbour, facilitating swimming, tanning, hanging out, mingling, and enjoying life to the fullest.
It boasts – besides a swimming area – parking for kayaks, a kayak slide, an outdoor gym and a sauna. Hidden beneath the waterline you’ll find sustainable urban farming of oysters for the local restaurants.
At SEB bank’s domicile you will find Bymilen – literally “the city dune”. It’s a concrete slope, zig-zagging around local growths and trees, and besides being a great place to hang out, it is also an initial project for efficient collection and drainage of rainwater. This is the future.
In continuation of the Bymilen, there is a planned elevated green city park that extends all the way to Dybbølsbro at Sydhavnen (IKEA and the Cactus Towers).
Both the “wave” and the “dune” are places you need to see if you have the slightest interest in public space design, city planning or, you know, find a place to eat the sandwich in your backpack.

The Meat Packing District

Slightly run-down industrial buildings and a huge parking lot. That’s it. But when the working day ends the place explodes with activity, showy drinks, craft beer and modern cuisine. This is the place where you will meet a mix of locals, expatriates, young business travellers and visitors to the city. All you need is a Mikkeller beer and a Warpigs burger. It might escalate from there…

Tivoli or Bakken …and Danish Modernism

The world’s two first and oldest amusement parks, one in central Copenhagen and not exactly unknown, the other in a beautiful forest deer park.
Tivoli is best after nightfall, where you can enjoy the park’s extraordinary Danish light design. Bakken is folksy and its surroundings are attractions on their own. To get the full experience, rent a quality bike and head north…

En route to Bakken you can follow Strandvejen and pass by architectural highlights by Arne Jacobsen, in Klampenborg. Nearby you will also find Ordrupgaard art museum, where you will find a free sculpture park and the house of another famous Danish modernist; Finn Juel.

Filmtaget

Dining room and bar with a view, on the Film Institute’s rooftop terrace.

CopenHill, Reffen, Urban Rigger and beyond

The waste-to-energy power plant is a ski slope (no kidding, there’s even a lift and a bar!)
At Reffen you’ll find the most atmospheric street food experience. While you’re there, stop by the houseboats of the future at Urban Rigger on your way to nearby Copenhagen Contemporary art centre. Places like ‘Øens Have’, Little Bakery and La Banchina may also be worth your attention if you are still hungry.

Nokken

Nokken is a charming, quirky area in Copenhagen, located on the northwest coast of Amager. It started in the 1930s when fishermen and laborers built their own little cabins and sheds, and over the years, it’s evolved into a creative, tight-knit community. The homes here are full of character, with many built in unique, artistic ways. It’s a place where local events bring people together, and there’s even a cozy little grocery store and eatery, Sønderbro Købmand, where you can hang out with locals. Nokken feels like a hidden gem, offering a peaceful escape with a lot of personality, just a short walk from Islands Brygge.

Go on a tour

If you go on a guided tour with us you will get more hidden gems and highlights, and the story that makes them pop. We have a range of tours focusing on architecture, urban living, backstory and city planning.
Find the tours here.

Alice’s secret spots

I like Café Båden and Café Sandø in Christianshavn, Thursday concert in the Concert Hall or, even cooler, Copenhagen Phil in the old Radio House (which is ABSOLUTELY fantastic!).
I also like to go to concerts in the most beautiful Vega. 
Sometimes I visit Christianskirken, which is just strange and beautiful, enjoy free admission to Thorvaldsens Museum every Wednesday, where I can just enjoy a cup of coffee in the most beautiful surroundings, or visit the royal stables, because it’s amazing.

Hassan’s secret spots

I like a pizza slice and a glass of white wine somewhere in “Pisserenden” (Larsbjørnsstræde), or a charcutery board and a beer at Kayak Republic. A slow stroll along the canal in Christianshavn, watching people hanging out, as tourist boats and homemade rafts sail by.
I also love to grab a porkbelly sandwich from Torvehallerne and go eat it in H.C. Ørstedsparken. I find Østerport train station to be inspiringly beautiful, and from there I go to the French Café by Søerne, or I go to Kastellet. However, my best secret is a decadent medium rare bacon-cheese-fried-egg-curry-pineapple-caviar burger at Café Sporvejen.

Assers’s secret spots

I’d like to recommend the Crypt under the Cathedral (the historic item on the list) and the Skater park in Fælledparken, in a corner of the big, lush park North of the central city. The City hospital courtyards; an old hospital with spooky underground tunnels, ‘Under the Arch’ (Under Buen) was a sad parking space in the shadow of a road flyover / overpass until locals started claiming the space for cultural events. You should also check out ‘Hostrups Garden’ (Hostrups Have), a historically groundbreaking apartment complex, ‘The Shooting Range’ (Skydebanen), a former shooting range (surprise) with a strange castle-style wall built like a bullet stop, Kastrup Søbad – also an architectural piece – and the Balloon Park (Ballonparken), an odd little informal community housed in former military barracks.
You can check out my Architecture Blog here: copenhagenarchitecture.dk.