4 Days in Copenhagen, Denmark - June 2026

It has been over 15 years since I last visited Copenhagen, and I was thrilled to be back for 3 Days of Design. I don’t normally write much about my work in my travel blog, but as Danish design is such an integral part of the culture here, I feel it is important to include some of it this time.

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and one of the great design capitals of the world—named UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023 and European Green Capital back in 2014. It is wonderfully walkable and cyclable, famous for its sense of “hygge” and for a clean, considered aesthetic that runs through everything from its furniture to its street furniture. Each June it hosts 3 Days of Design, the city’s answer to Milan’s Salone del Mobile, when showrooms, studios and galleries across town open their doors.

Travel and Tips

Copenhagen is a very walkable city, and it has a rather unique payment option for getting around. Rejsekort is an app that lets you track your journey as you check in and check out of each mode of transport. You can also Lime bike or scooter your way around, though I have no experience with that myself.

Fast Track is available at certain European airports for €15. It lets you speed through security (though not immigration). You can decide whether to use it on the spot once you see the queue, so there is no need to pre-book.

Accommodation: Airbnb on Vestergade 3

As this week coincided with three other major events, the hotels were extremely expensive, so I opted for an apartment in a 300-year-old building in the city centre instead. The location was perfect for the 3 Days of Design festival.

Attractions

Round Tower

Built in 1642 by King Christian IV, the Round Tower (Rundetaarn) is the oldest functioning astronomical observatory in Europe. Its most famous feature is the 7.5-turn helical ramp that spirals all the way to the top—so gentle that a horse and carriage could once make the climb. At 34.8 metres, the platform rewards you with sweeping 360-degree views over the old city.

Website: rundetaarn.dk

King’s Garden

Laid out in 1606, again by Christian IV, the King’s Garden (Kongens Have) is Denmark’s oldest and most-visited park. It surrounds the fairytale Rosenborg Castle—home to the Crown Jewels—and its Renaissance-inspired avenues, lawns and rose beds draw millions of visitors a year. On a sunny day it is the city’s favourite spot for a picnic.

Website: kongenshave.com

Nyhavn

Nyhavn is the picture-postcard image of Copenhagen: a 17th-century waterfront lined with brightly painted gabled townhouses and old wooden ships moored along the canal. Once a busy commercial harbour (and home, for a time, to Hans Christian Andersen), it is now one of the liveliest stretches in the city, packed with bars and restaurants.

Website: visitcopenhagen.com

Tivoli Garden (Amusement Park)

Opened in 1843, Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and is said to have inspired Walt Disney himself. It is far more than a fairground—think manicured gardens, historic rides, open-air concerts and beautiful lighting after dark—all right in the heart of the city.

Website: tivoligardens.com

Little Mermaid & Kastellet

The Little Mermaid is Copenhagen’s most famous landmark—a modest 1.25-metre bronze statue unveiled in 1913, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and commissioned by brewer Carl Jacobsen of Carlsberg. Just behind her sits Kastellet, a beautifully preserved star-shaped fortress from the 17th century, whose grassy ramparts and moats make for a lovely walk.

Website: visitcopenhagen.com

Design Museum

Designmuseum Danmark is the national museum of Danish and international design, founded in 1907 and set in a graceful former Rococo hospital building on Bredgade. It reopened in 2025 after a major renovation, and its collection traces the story of Danish design—from iconic chairs to ceramics and textiles. An essential stop for anyone with a love of design.

Website: designmuseum.dk

Amalienborg

Amalienborg is the official home of the Danish royal family, made up of four near-identical Rococo palaces arranged around an elegant octagonal square. The daily changing of the guard is a popular sight, and one of the palaces houses the Amalienborg Museum, offering a glimpse into the private quarters of recent monarchs.

Website: kongehuset.dk

Soho House Copenhagen

One of the smaller houses in the group. It has a compact gym studio with basic weights and machines. Soho House Copenhagen is the local outpost of the international members’ club, set down by the harbour on Havnegade. It is one of the more intimate houses in the collection, with the relaxed, design-led atmosphere the brand is known for.

Website: sohohouse.com

Around the City

Restaurants and Nightlife

Kristinedal Burger

Known for its Oxmeat Burger—a touch on the leaner side—but the fries and the sauce were pretty good. It only has three seats inside and two tables outside, so you really have to think about how (and where) you’re going to eat it.

Nyhavn 31

I wanted a salad in the afternoon, and although the rating isn’t particularly high, this place did the trick. I ordered fairly simple stuff, so it was hard for them to get it wrong.

L’Education Nationale

This feels like a proper, institutional French bistro in the neighbourhood—the fact that they don’t sell Coke is a testament to that. One of the best meals I had in the city. I went for the rabbit special of the day.

Website: leducation.dk

Cantina

A highly rated Italian restaurant in the city centre and the perfect spot for a casual dinner. Most of the dishes on the menu look genuinely tempting.

Website: cantinacph.dk

Mr. Pho

Pretty decent pho and spring rolls here. I’d say it’s above average.

Cafe Victor

I was told this one is for an older crowd and that it gets pretty lively over the weekends. The staff were very friendly, and it would be nice to come back to see what it’s really about.

Website: cafevictor.dk

Casoline Grill

I’d seen this around the city, so I decided to give it a try at the airport. It was pretty good, with some crispy charred edges, and the style is close to Shake Shack.

Restaurant Palaegade

Strongly recommended by my friend Olivia for their open sandwiches, so we booked a dinner here—only to find out the open sandwiches are available at lunch only. The meal was very good, it just wasn’t quite what we were expecting.

Website: palaegade.dk

Oranje

A cute boat restaurant moored on the lower part of Nyhavn. The food was good and it’s definitely worth coming for lunch, but the service was a little on the slow side.

Website: oranjenyhavn.dk

TATA Cocktail Bar

A solid cocktail bar with an international vibe recommended to us by the Soho House Team.

Shopping

Here are a few personal favourite shops of mine, showcasing some of the best of Danish design.

Helle Mardahl Studio

Website: hellemardahl.com

Klassik

Website: klassik.dk

Georg Jensen

Website: georgjensen.com

Illums Bolighus

Website: illumsbolighus.com

Final Thoughts

Returning to Copenhagen after more than 15 years, I was reminded of just how effortlessly the city blends history with great design. There is something special about a place where centuries-old towers and palaces sit so comfortably alongside a chair you’d happily take home, and where the whole city feels made for wandering on foot. 3 Days of Design was the perfect excuse to come back, but it was the everyday details—the colours of Nyhavn, a long lunch by the water, the quiet confidence of Danish design—that I’ll remember most. I won’t leave it another 15 years before I return.