The best in Copenhagen summer 2024 from a local
Whenever I visit a new place I want to have the same experience as if I was a local – but with the extra pleasure of being on holiday. If you are visiting Copenhagen during the summer 2024 and want to know of all the good places that aren’t full of tourists, keep reading.
I’m Alejandra Cerda Ojensa, and I’m a freelance creative from Stockholm and I have been living in Copenhagen since 2020. My idea of a perfect week is seeing something artsy, having natural wine with friends, eating well (I’m vegan), buying cool vintage and second hand clothes, reading and finding cool places run by creative people. If that sounds like something you like, let’s be friends.
Enjoy my Copenhagen! (All photos by me.)
Fun stores you need to visit when you are in Copenhagen
I love finding niche and fun stores when I’m in a new city, so here are my best recommendations for fun stores in Copenhagen.
Super Bookstore, Blågårdsgade 31C
A vibrant blue small store on the busy and beautiful street Blågårdsgade. Loads of cool magazines, some cool merch, and most importantly: Books that will expand your mind. You’ll find books about feminism, books by radical thinkers, and books that will soothe your soul. A must visit! Check out their Instagram – lots of events, readings (including tarot readings!), and workshops happen during the year.
Le Petit Voyeur, Sølvgade 5
A very small store with loads of magazine titles: You’ll find everything from very niche magazines to Apartamento to the owner’s own magazine; Le Petit Voyeur. Also very close to Kongens Have, so I suggest you pay a visit before your picnic.
Pura Utz, Sorgenfrigade 1
Pura Utz opened their store in Nørrebro during spring 2024, and have been lighting up my Instagram feed for way longer. Handmade bead necklaces in bright colours and lots of small artisan pieces in the same style – all produced ethically.
Natural wine is everywhere in Copenhagen
Honestly, natural wine is everywhere in Copenhagen, and the few times I’ve been to a restaurant that doesn’t serve natural wine, I have been surprised. If you’re new to the natural wine world you might find the wine a little funny-smelling and funky-tasting, however natural wine can be everything from light and crispy to intense and weird. Know that most bars and restaurants here are happy to help you find the right wine for you, so don’t be afraid to ask for a sip of a different kind if the first one wasn’t your thing.
These are some of my favourite bars in Copenhagen:
1 year birthday party @ Josephine
Josephine winebar, Frankrigsgade 15, open every day
Josephine, located in Amager, is very close to the Metro station Amagerbro. Josephine used to be a classic Copenhagen bodega with a troubled fistfighting kind of crowd. 1,5 years ago it was taken over by new people and is now one of the best winebars in Copenhagen. The shelves are stacked with natural wine, have a bottle or something yummy by the glass. The staff is amazing: Knowledgeable, friendly and very sweet. The crowd at Josephine is Copenhageners and sometimes a couple of tourists; often a mix of wine nerds and friend groups, dates and probably me sitting in the corner with a book.
Damian pouring wine @ Ved Stranden 10
Ved Stranden 10, Ved stranden 10
Not only do they have amazing wines, Ved Stranden 10 looks more like an apartment you want to move in with. Impeccable taste in furniture, classic design lamps, iconic chairs and a lovely interior – and those things matter. Another thing that matters are the wine glasses, Ved Stranden 10 serves their wine in ultrathin Zalto glasses which makes the experience even more exclusive. This is a bar for anyone who appreciates the full experience of being in Copenhagen; You’ve got design, wine, and atmosphere.
Gaarden og Gaden, Nørrebrogade 88
Located on Nørrebrogade this place is visited by tourists during summer, but it’s definitely not a touristy place but rather a local hangout spot for people living in the neighbourhood and, as my friend put it “People over 30 that appreciate good wine and food and for those who want to be”. You’ll find some cool people and people working in hospitality and food and wine themselves. I, partially, also love their Instagram photos (Yes, I do their social media). Less of a bar-bar, and more of a restaurant, but with great outdoor seating in the sun. A must during summer.
Rosforth & Rosforth / Knipps kaj, Knippelsbrogade 10
The biggest wine importer of natural wine, owner of the lovely restaurant Den Vandrette, Rosforth sells wine and offers humble seats by the dock under the Knippel bridge. My best recommendations if you wanna go back home and say you found a cool place under a bridge.
Rosforth & Rosforth’s Instagram
Museums that are worth a visit
I assume you, just like me, appreciate museums that are beautiful in themselves. That provide an exquisite architectural experience, beautiful lines, soft light and everything to make you want to become an architecture photographer. These museums are beautiful and worth to visit when in Copenhagen.
Design Museum Danmark
Design Museum Danmark, Bredgade 68
I love this museum! This design museum celebrates Danish design – and does it well. The building was built in the mid 1750’s as a hospital, but since the beginning of the 1900’s it’s housed by the Design Museum. The light in the rooms is immaculate and you’ll find a fun permanent exhibition about design; furniture, interiors, kitchenware, chairs and everything you could find in a home through the years, but they also curate other interesting exhibitions. The exhibition Danish modern opens June 14, 2024, and stays for a year. Read more here.
Thorvaldsens Museum, Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2
Located close to the now destroyed Børsen building Thorvaldsens Museum offers a spectacular building with antique statues, wonderful wall colours that interact with the objects beautifully. This museum is not only amazing in itself but they also host fun events such as soundbaths and drawing classes. I went once for statue drawing and wine – Love Copenhagen for these types of events. Free entry on Wednesdays.
Davids Samling, Kronprinsessegade 30
Davids Samling, or Davids Collection, is a beautiful building from 1806 where the museum has been living since 1917. They offer a huge collection of Islamic art that is their main focus, old European art, and newer Danish interior pieces. Davids Samling is located by the lovely park Kongens Have (King’s Garden), and is free of charge. My warmest recommendations.
Glyptoteket, Dantes Plads 7
Glyptoteket is one of the most beautiful museums I’ve ever been to, and it’s often full of tourists, so go on a less sexy time to avoid the crowd. It’s worth it.
Copenhagen Contemporary, Refshalevej 173A
Located on Refshaleøen, Copenhagen Contemporary always offers the latest from the art world, surrounded by industrial buildings. The bike ride to Copenhagen Contemporary is absolutely amazing on a warm summer day, but if you don’t fancy biking, there’s a handy bus taking you out. And when you’re at it, pay a visit to La Banchina for a dip and a glass of wine, and stop by one of the amazing food placed at Reffen.
If this list was helpful for you. Follow me on Instagram.com/alejandracerda.co
Are you looking for the best second hand stores in Copenhagen? Check this out!
