The bike will be your new preferred means of transport
There are cities where you have a good time. In which you meet someone special. cities that have a old town that gives you chills for how they make you dive into the story. There are cities with unforgettable bars , with perfect sunsets and the most delicious dishes of the world.
And then there are the cities that make you desire very strongly to live in them. They are those in which you rethink your life: what am I doing, what do I want and where do I want it. The ones that make you wonder, is there really so much tie me to the place where I live ? Am I in time to change?
A typical (and charming) picture of Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of them. You will understand it at the first walk: smiling people (who smiles at you, yes), old people who wave from the little boats , young couples who carelessly play with their children in the parks.
Here was born the hygge , that philosophy that finds happiness in the little things . Here ** more bicycles circulate than cars ** here there is an ecological awareness that led it to be ** European Green Capital ** in 2014 thanks, among other things, to promoting policies such as that no citizen should live more than 15 minutes walk from a green area. Here, finally, It is one of the best places to live in the world. as successively cries out the prestigious magazine monocle , specializing in lifestyles.
We, millennials like most, are passing through these streets and, as we walk through these five neighborhoods, we realize that all these recognitions they are far from empty words . Also that we want to come and live here and be one of those Danes who they work remotely in the cozy cafeterias, which They meet to drink and laugh in the park, who spend the afternoon on the bridges chatting and putting on music and who have some facilities to be dads and moms that allow them to have young babies, happy and without playing the type . You come?
In Copenhagen, occupying public space to have fun is perfectly possible
TO WALK, ENJOY AND REST: NYHAVN
We started to fall in love with Copenhagen in the beautiful Nyhavn But the area hasn't always been this pretty. Yes that symmetrical facade of colored houses, possible only in the north, it has been there for a long time, but it was not until the 1960s that the area became livable and, even at this time, from time to time, works are carried out on it to make it more and more attractive . So far, they have succeeded and this port is configured as a perfect postcard background in which cozy restaurants with large terraces and old wooden boats on display, owned by the National Museum of Denmark.
Here they have fun tourists and locals and there is even a tradition that says that every time the school year ends, university students have to jump into the water naked from the northernmost end of the promenade, which is also the sunniest. there it is the hotel we have chosen, 71Nyhavn , which, in addition to having the perfect location , allows us to enter the history of the place, while we enjoy all the luxuries of its present.
Thus, the two buildings before us used to be 19th century warehouses in which the goods that arrived at the port were kept and are kept as they were conceived , with its roofs furrowed by wooden beams and its brick facade. They undoubtedly have a sailor air , in fair harmony with the surroundings. And, of course, they are a perfect example of the celebrated Danish design.
Nyhavn, the photo that everyone wants
This last point is especially appreciated in his newly renovated rooms, that harbor courageous aesthetic decisions thanks to pieces from young design companies of the country, as well as in the minimalist warmth of its common areas. In addition, the entire hotel is stuffed with originals of the avant-garde COBRA movement , made by Danish artists and, of course, the management of the facilities is governed by ecological policies.
Thanks to this, its breakfast is based on organic, local and fair trade food and, moreover, it is absolutely delicious. They offer from freshly made smoothies until Nutella made by themselves, passing, of course, through the typical products of the country: herring, smoked cheese, smørrebrød (rye bread with different cold foods) ... In addition, in the buffet you will find adorable little notes with passages from the stories of Hans Christian Andersen , that he lived on this very street.
71Nyhvn, the perfect starting point for your adventures in the city
TO DISCOVER: NØRREBRO
Nørrebro is the new trendy neighborhood in Copenhagen. There, where multiculturalism has been established for a long time, shops of art objects, galleries, independent designer ateliers, wine bars ... The neighborhood is made for walk it (better with the bicycle that you rent at the hotel, since its avenues are quite long) and get off when the concentration of shops too interesting to keep looking at them from the window.
Our favorite street in the area is Jægersborggade and, here, without a doubt, you will have to lock the padlock: you will not want to miss a single detail of places like ** Høj Copenhagen and Hygge by Berlin **, two stores where you can buy those products that make Danish houses so special. In addition, it will be impossible not to browse among the vinyl jewels of ** Musiksmag ** and ** Crate - Beer and Vinyl ** while you have a craft beer. Although, if what you want is vinyl, know that there are at least two dozen specialty stores in the city: only in Nørrebro they already have six!
In the neighbourhood, as we say, there is much more to see (a couple of clues: go through the streets of Elmegade and Blågårdsgade ), but it is impossible to leave it without walking -you can also do it by bike- through the Assistants , a cemetery that neighbors use as a park. Don't be surprised to see children running among the graves or to caramelized couples on them: here it is allowed. However, if you don't feel like enjoying the holy field like a local, you can always pay your respects to one of the world's greatest short story writers, Hans Christian Andersen, or the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who are buried here.
Jægersborggade, our favorite
In this same street you will also find very top restaurants, like ** Relæ ,** which is also completely sustainable; ** Manfreds , a vegetarian famous for its raw** meat, believe it or not, as well as light-hearted offerings; either Astrid och Aporna , a mini store vegan hotdogs and burgers of amazing and tasty combinations. As you might guess, the fact that in just one street we mention two veggie proposals can give you an idea of the many you will find throughout the entire city, which practically always has a option without animals (so millennial, so welcome) on their menu.
However, the jewel in the crown is istid ('ice cream'), a artisanal ice cream parlor whose elaboration methods you will not even be able to imagine. To start with, everyone their products are organic and the flavors, which are changing, meet dehydrated on the counter. to follow, and ice cream is prepared in front of you... with liquid nitrogen! This gives it a special consistency, as well as giving the entire process an almost magical aura.
FOR SNACK (AND FALL IN LOVE WITH DANISH HOUSES): THE LATIN QUARTER
The center of Copenhagen, with its classic and majestic buildings , gives you an idea of the size of the city up to almost XIX century . It is a pleasure to walk through its streets, where you will find everything that a European capital can offer you: churches, the town hall building, the royal palace, mansions and palaces, shopping streets... Among the latter, it stands out Stroget, the most important in the capital, in addition to the Europe's largest pedestrian shopping area.
Here, the interesting thing is to get carried away, but also to fall back on the little streets that have not yet been taken over by franchises : the most charming are concentrated in the Latin Quarter . Put in the GPS "Larsbjørnsstræde" and you will find yourself in one of them. Here you can enjoy vintage shops like ** Carmen or FN92 **, punk bars like ** Floss ** and even international comic shops like fantask , which is said to be the oldest in the country. And, above all, you can taste the super appetizing homemade donuts The Donut Shop . You will want to stay all afternoon trying flavors in their armchairs!
And, if when night comes you still have room in your stomach, come to Vakst or to Host , which are next to it. The reasons? In addition to the cuisine, which is spectacular, they will serve you to fall a little more in love with the city lifestyle: the first is decorated as a typical danish greenhouse; the second, as a danish summer house , and both have received international design awards. But beware if you are very fond of your land: comfort and beauty which you will enjoy will make your desire to live here increase to unsuspected levels...
TIP: a little later they start open jazz clubs in the area, like jazz house . There are many places in Copenhagen to celebrate this genre and they have the most interesting programming. Though, if you really like jazz, you have to visit the city at the beginning of July, during the highly celebrated **Copenhagen Jazz Festival.**
Väkst, PURE love for Danish design
FOR DINNER AND GOING OUT: K Ø DBYEN
Vesterbro, the old red light district, it was the most until Nørrebro stole the scepter from him. However, this period of expansion means that the area is now the most expensive in copenhagen to live, besides being full of well-established restaurants and bars, with a wide and diverse hotel offer. The options are endless, but we are left with two stars: the craft brewers WarPigs Y Mikkeller . Both are E-N-O-R-M-E-S , and have more than 20 faucets of exquisite varieties . In addition, the first offers an original kitchen with American dishes in which the barbecue cuts stand out, cooked in front of you, and the mac'n'cheese!
For some very rich taquitos, we recommend ** Hija de Sánchez ;** for international grilled cuisine, ** Kul ;** for cocktails that will change your life, NOHO . And, a ten minute walk, too Lidkoeb Y curfew they will make you pay homage to the combined (this last trick cheats us local photographer Mark Gray, that on his Instagram he shows us daily a very intimate face of the city ) . Now, with all this information, it's your turn to find your own favorites.
Lidkoeb appears in many rankings as one of the best bars in the world
TO EXPLORE: CHRISTIANIA
It is impossible for you to have arrived in Copenhagen without knowing the rebellious and demanding Christiania. These 34 hectares of former military barracks were occupied in the seventies by families with a hippy spirit, which were later annexed to the provo social movement . Is philosophy, anarchist influence, proposes, from humor and pacifism, to attack the traditional structures of the State, making effective measures such as the legalization of marijuana or the fight against pollution.
However, our walk through the area does not stop at the well-known Pusher Street (the 'camel street', where they sell soft drugs in street stalls like someone who sells necklaces), as in the beauty of their handmade houses and its green spaces, whose appearance could be described as Hobbiton meets the Bauhaus movement. choose the sunset and walk or pedal leisurely (cars are not allowed here) through this place that, like almost all millennials, has dreamed of a better life , more communal, more based on freedom and that, based on perseverance, he has achieved it. A place that claims a new way of thinking and living public space and that has an energy, at least, striking.
Here, moreover, creativity flows free which caused the birth in their lands of NO MOM long considered the best restaurant in the world . Today you can leisurely explore the original and homey organic cafes that dot the area, like the veteran Morgenstedet (vegetarian menus and popular prices), in addition to the small shops of local designers, galleries and concert halls, such as the mythical Den Grå Hal .
Christiania is much more than its clichés
**BONUS: TO GET EXCITED WITH ART (GOOD, AND EAT. AND DRINK) **
For a city to score high in standard of living for millennials, it has to have cultural facilities at the height. And Copenhagen has them. Leaving 71Nyhavn towards the largest channel, we will find the Royal Danish Theater (Skuespilhuset), awarded for its spectacular architectural design. If it's a nice day, you'll see lots of Kobmendens (that's what the locals are called) drinking out of plastic wine glasses that are bought full for the occasion or enjoying a six pack of beer while chatting animatedly about the ride.
Opposite is the opera house and, above all, papieren , 'the paper island', a huge factory of this material that has now been transmuted into leisure Center. From here we are interested in Copenhagen Contemporary , an international, informal and avant-garde art center that even has a wine bar and designer shops, and whose exhibitions are often transferred to the public space, as is the case with the interactive installation of Yoko Ono Wish Tree Garden.
It is also worth going through the market Copenhagen Street Food where you can try cuisine from around the world in casual but absolutely delicious formats. It is a place very frequented by tourists , but the prices are more or less at the level of what you can find in the rest of Copenhagen.
The rest of the city also has lots of super interesting museums, some very close to here. Our favourites: the Design Museum Denmark , design, the ** Danish Architecture Center , of architecture, and the **Kunsthal Charlottenborg** and the **Louisiana, both of contemporary art. And, if you have the opportunity, be sure to enjoy a concert at Koncerthuset , the innovative auditorium designed by Jean Nouvel whose acoustics are considered little less than perfect.
Copenhagen Street Food, flavors from around the world in one walk