In Copenhagen for fashion week and too lazy to research where to go/shop/eat? That’s me! Good thing you have this trusty guide so you can spend the plane ride getting wasted on free German beer and snoozing your way to Danish bliss.
Day 1: Rent a bike. Everyone in Copenhagen rides a bike. Girls in short skirts, high heels, grannies with poodles, dudes carrying suitcases. Everyone. The bike lanes are clearly marked. Do as the Danish do, ride a bike.
Go to Gallery. Gallery is the upmarket trade show hosting well known Scandinavian designers. Henrik Vibskov, Minimarket, Hope, Norse Projects, Carin Wester, Dagmar, etc. Both mens and womens collections are showcased, organized perfectly and without confusion. One of the better trade shows to attend. If you aren’t in the industry, just hang out outside and people watch + drink free Somersby Cider.
Recharge at Joe & The Juice, 5 Sværtegade in the city center. The equivalent of Jamba Juice in the US, but way better. And all the guys making your juice look like this dude:
Shop. Storm, Copenhagen’s nice-try at Colette. Good selection of Junya, Japanese brands, and average selection of Celine accessories. Overall, one of the better stores in Copenhagen and centrally located. Go to one and you will find them all. Wood Wood, their own brand plus a good selection of men’s footwear, some Japanese brands, and CdG accessories which every store in Europe seems to carry. ACNE, a beautifully executed boutique, feels super glitzy. Norse Projects, similar to shopping at the J.Crew men’s store in NY but smaller and more Danish feeling. Le Fix, a cool street wear shop with their own brand as well as the largest (by far) selection of Stone Island. Nag Store, get your Damir Doma and Rick fix along with some lesser know Danish designers in the same category. Naked, an all womens sneaker shop. Yay!
Eat at Mother. Definitely a scene, but well worth the pushing and shoving for this sourdough crust pizza. Also a good place to people watch, check out the cool guys on fixed gears (a totally acceptable form of transportation in the flatest city in the world) and cool girls in platforms on beach cruisers.
Drink at Malbek (on Istegrade). A simple Argentinian wine bar, good to escape the crowds of Mother, but not a “fashion-week-hating-spot,” a feeling that seems to ripple through the city when the masses come through. Or head to Lele Nha Hang (do not eat here, even if you are starving and on the verge of death) for cocktails where all the fashion-y people go for Lychee martinis.
Sleep. Stay at Carlton Hotel Guldsmeden. A perfectly quaint hotel on Vesterbroagade with cute rooms and helpful staff. Save your money for shopping, this place is priced right and in a perfect location.
Day 2: Eat Breakfast at Granola, Vaernedamsvej 5. French inspired decor with stone floors and an old grocery counter where you can order up fresh squeezed juice. The Danish Breakfast platter is good, a sweet variety of pancakes, fruit, homemade drained yogurt and toast. Or get the breakfast sandwich of your life.
Go to Vision CPH. The little sister trade show with more “commercial” brands, but also a good place to scope mid-market fashion. I found a good brand here that mirrors Danish style but at good prices. The show itself is laid out really nicely; outdoor benches in the grass with wi-fi, big loungy sofas and art installations throughout. Style note: The Danish women love to wear their New Balance.
Pit stop at Props Coffee Shop. Get a coffee and/or beer at this neighborhood hangout, relax on the outdoor benches, people watch, use their free wi-fi (wi-fi becomes very important if you don’t have an international data plan, duh). This was the least expensive coffee place we found.
Eat lunch at Aamanns Etablissement for traditional open-faced sandwiches and Danish Snaps (Aquavit). An upscale, dine-in sandwich shop that uses natural, seasonal ingredients. This place was mind-blowing. The snaps, however, was so strong, I could only take a few sips. They tailor the flavor of the snaps to match the herbs on your sandwiches. Mine»celery root.
Do some cultural things. Walk the Nyhavn Marina, it’s touristy, but the energy is vibrant and you can sit by the water, drink beers and see travelling people from all over the world.
Do Copenhagen by foot, there are landmarks and statues all over the city. Cobblestone squares and random fountains always force me to take awkward photos.
Try to have dinner at pate pate or Fiskebar but realize that during fashion week it’s absolutely impossible to get a table. Instead, go to Falernum, a Spanish tapas and wine bar. The most quaint setting with amazing food and organic wines. Call me San Francisco, but this place could be transported, exactly as it is, and feel just like a local haunt. It’s easy to spend the entire evening here sipping good wine and being with good people. (I stayed until the place shut down to get a good shot of the restaurant!)
24 hours in any city seems short, but if you know which guide to follow (and not read a bunch of crap ones that send you to stupid places) you can experience Copenhagen in all its glory. I love this city, SKOL!