The slightly awkward seasonal spell between winter and "proper" spring often signals the need for a little environmental refreshment; it's easy (and totally normal) to feel a bit low and crave some fresh surroundings to elevate your mindset. My recent four-day getaway to beautiful Copenhagen – accompanied by my equally beautiful cousin Ellen – provided just the pick-me-up I'd been pining for of late.
Despite never being to the Danish capital before, its all-pervasive loveliness came as no surprise: many a friend had advised me how suited it was to my personal weaknesses – good food, design, culture, coffee, nice humans, etc. That being said, I couldn't have predicted just how much I'd fall in love with the city and its dreamy offerings. Aside from being exceedingly jammy with the weather (☀☀☀), Copenhagen really was hard to find fault with.
A perfect combination of the usual city suspects and a healthy dose of nature, not to mention an impeccably high ratio of aesthetically-pleasing people (and puppies and architecture and the rest), Copenhagen encompassed glee-inducing travel touchstones in abundance. Though I'd researched and kindly received lists of must-see spots beforehand, much of our favourite places were serendipitously happened upon. I felt it only fair that I pay it forward and share them with ya, should you find yourself there in the not-too-distant future (which you simply must).
The accommodation: We stayed in CPH Studio Hotel, a super well-connected, friendly, aesthetically on-point aparthotel setup with a little gym, café and rooftop terrace. Recommend biiig time!
In no particular order, here's a little-ish list of the shops, cafés, cultural spaces and hangouts we went to and loved:
♥ GRØD // I'm not ashamed to say that we found ourselves in this glorious grain-filled spot every morning for breakfast. A porridge lover's paradise.
♥ KAKTUS KØBENHAVN ~ If you know me even a tiny bit, the mere name of this succulent store-cum-ogling spot will suggest why it made me weak at the knees. Since it's tricky to fit cacti into cabin baggage, I left with a canvas bag memento (it would've been straight up pr*ckish of me to leave empty handed).
♥ LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART ~ This cultural gem was hands down the most recommended location I received before hopping on the plane to CPH, and with good reason: it's simply the best. Well worth the train trip!
♥ TORVEHALLERNE ~ A street food market with all the goods, Torvehallerne provides an abundance of options to nourish yo'self amidst all the city cycling/walking. A few fave stalls: The Coffee Collective, Resso, Grød (obvi), Laura's Bakery, Lêlê Street Kitchen, Palæo, Retreat, Stalks & Roots, Vita Boost.
♥ ASSISTENS KIRKEGRÅD ~ The famous burial place of Hans Christian Anderson, this idyllic cemetery is a must-go space for a slice of city calm. Far from being morbid in character, it has a tranquil, meditative quality that leaves a special impression.
♥ SNEAKERS & COFFEE ~ Two of my favourite life items in one petite place – and they were playing Otis Redding when we visited. Tick, tick, tick.
♥ RETRO NØRREBRO ~ A good-feels, non-profit, volunteer-led café haunt which also serves as a rolling exhibition space. The perfect mid afternoon chill spot.
♥ ASTRID OCH APORNA ~ Ellen and I were wooed in by Astrid Och Aporna's vegan hotdog sign on Nørrebro's Jægersborgadde and left with stomachs full of the most delicious cruelty-free fast food around. Vegan or not, a sample of their menu is a must!
♥ MANT ~ A dreamy stockist of stationery and plants. Yep and yep.
♥ PALERMO HOLLYWOOD ~ Kudos to the buyers here: Palermo stocks a beautifully curated collection of lifestyle, literature and gift wares in an exquisitely designed space.
♥ KOMPA' 9 ~ A friendly, cosy coffee haunt with a homey interior and a good food offering too.
♥ HAY HOUSE + MINI MARKET ~ From future home interior goals to the slightly more attainable Mini Market stock, Hay House is quite the wonderland for anyone with a weakness for sweet sweet design. Coincidence that Hay rhymes with yay? Naaay.
♥ STILLEBEN ~ Yet another interior store to set our hearts aflutter – we visited two of their shops while in the city – Stilleben provides an ample dose of design inspiration. Leaving empty handed is hard.
♥ SUPERKILEN ~ A hallmark CPH destination, you've no doubt seen a snapshot of this iconic-looking skatepark and play area before – even if you haven't set foot (or wheel) in it before. A veritable outdoor wonderland.
♥ STORM ~ Easy on the eye (less so on the pocket), Storm is a lifestyle store with – characteristically for Copenhagen – an impeccable line-up of design, art and fashion goods. The magazine display is a must for anyone with a penchant for publications.
♥ JOLENE ~ If you're on the hunt for a vibrant night time nook, Jolene – indeed, the meatpacking district in general – is your place.
♥ JÆGERSBORGGADE // This isn't a shop or café per se, but rather a must-see street in the Nørrebro district (opposite Assistens Kirkegård), where you'll find lovely food/mooch sites aplenty.
Finally, a summary of additional spots you might want to swing by. Hit the links for more info: ISTID, WOODWOOD MUSEUM, ACNE ARCHIVE, MOSS COPENHAGEN, SOUL BOOKS, MEYERS BAGERI, THE LAUNDROMAT CAFÉ, MAHALLE, HOT YOGA CPH, COPENHAGEN STREET FOOD.
Tak!
No comments:
Post a Comment