We know you’re getting the travel bug again after a few weeks at home. As you know, the cure for that is simply a weekend trip away. You’re looking for a place though that’s in its prime. That means the Caribbean hurricane season is out. It’s just a little too early to leaf peep. And you’ve just done Paris Fashion Week. Well, sometimes there are destinations that are right under your nose. Enter Copenhagen, which has all you can pretty much want for a long weekend. There’s likely a direct flight from your city. The luxury hotels in Copenhagen are top-notch. The food is some of the best in the world. And it’s the perfect city to wander and get lost for a weekend. This is where to be for a weekend trip to Copenhagen now.
Where to Stay
First things first, because you’re not going to travel across the pond without a top hotel to rest your head. The beauty of Copenhagen is that there are plenty of those. Unlike other cities where rates start in the thousands of dollars, there are luxury hotels in Copenhagen that give you actual value. What’s also unique about the luxury hotels in Copenhagen is the top hotels are local brands. There’s no Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental (which of course we love in other cities). Instead the top hotels are individually owned or part of bespoke boutique hotel properties. You get a local luxury hotel experience in Copenhagen, along with the unique Danish design aesthetic.
The Nimb
The Nimb is a five-star boutique hotel overlooking the magical Tivoli Gardens. It’s one of the original luxury hotels in Copenhagen, and continues to be a leader in design. The property, in the middle of Copenhagen, includes thirty-eight unique rooms and suites. These rooms combine a sleek Nordic design with antiques from Asia to create an eclectic environment. The hotel’s roof terrace features a lounge area, a heated pool, and a rooftop bar with live music on special nights. For dining, there is Nimb Brasserie for French cuisine and Fru Nimb for Danish delicacies. In addition, the Nimb has a wellness center for treatments and fitness.
D’Angleterre
Hotel D’Angleterre is a five-star luxury hotel in Copenhagen’s city center. First opening in 1775 the historic hotel is rated one of the best in Northern Europe. The decadent and classic ninety-two rooms and suites have each been renovated with an elegant design and outfitted with luxury amenities and comforts. Hotel D’Angleterre is the home of Michelin-starred restaurant, Marchal, which is considered one of the best restaurants in the city – no easy feat. You can also sample rarefied cakes and pastries at Maison, or have some evening drinks at the Balthazar Champagne Bar. In addition, Hotel D’Angleterre features a tranquil spa, indoor swimming pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center available to all its guests. Of the luxury hotels in Copenhagen, Hotel d’Angleterre is the most grand scale while maintaining a charming authenticity.
Hotel Sanders
Hotel Sanders is right behind the Nyhavn Canal, on a charming cobblestone street. As a result, you can easily walk or bike to popular destinations. Although the fifty-four luxury rooms range in size, each space is filled with light and includes a curated set of amenities. This is one of the luxury hotels in Copenhagen that’s more about the boutique experience and Danish charm.
Additionally, you can stay at the Sanders Apartments which include your own living room and fireplace. For food you can enjoy the all-day dining at Sanders Kitchen, have snacks and drinks on the roof terrace, dinner at the open-air courtyard, or late-night drinks at the Tata Cocktail Bar. Sanders Experiences can be booked for private walking tours, boat rides, and gallery visits with experts in the city. So while this is one of the more boutique luxury hotels in Copenhagen, it’s full on top of the line in experience.
Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen was awarded the Best Danish Luxury Hotel by the Danish Travel Awards in 2022. It’s one of the newer luxury hotels in Copenhagen, and probably the most direct of a competitor to the d’Angleterre. It is set in the former Post and Central Telegraph Head Offices and combines a mix of old-world elegance with a contemporary aesthetic.
There are 390 rooms at Villa Copenhagen, offering plenty of different rooming options for everyone. Like the rooms, the hotel also boasts five different dining options whether it be lighter snacks and drinks, breakfast, pastries, or a cosmopolitan fine dining experience. On the roof, you have a 25-meter lapping pool which is kept at the perfect temperature all year round. Guests also get access to the fitness center and sauna.
A City That’s Prime Now
Once you’ve figured out the lay of the land of luxury hotels in Copenhagen, it’s time to leave the hotel and explore the city. It’s hard to find a more charming city than Copenhagen in the summer and fall. September is the ideal time to go because the season hasn’t yet turned but all the tourists have already come and gone. The Danish capital is alive in the summer and fall where locals are out and about enjoying the sunshine.
Additionally, the weather is perfect for biking through the city, relaxing at some of its scenic parks and museums, and eating at famous food halls. This is our pocket guide for a weekend trip to Copenhagen.
Seeing the City
Copenhagen is known both for its cutting-edge design and its rich history. A good starting point is the famous waterfront neighborhood, Nyhavn. The colorful 17th-century townhouses line the waterfront district. From there’s no shame in playing tourist (the locals do too) and hop on a canal tour and learn about the city while on the water.
As in Amsterdam, the way to feel like a local in Copenhagen is on a bike. Copenhagen is quite a small city by area, so you can easily use one of their bike shares to get around, hopping on and off as you like a la Citi Bike in NYC.
Best Neighborhoods
Although most will s stay in the city center, there are other scenic neighborhoods worth exploring. Nørrebro is a short bike ride and a beautiful walk across the canal. The vibrant neighborhood is frequented by the young at heart. This is the place to wander for a day through the packed restaurants and bars and shop on the weekends. Another trendy neighborhood worth exploring is Vesterbro. Walk down quaint streets, enjoy a coffee, or hang out at the large park, Søndermarken.
Museums, Art, and Gardens
When it comes to art and design, Copenhagen has no shortage. One of the most popular museums to visit is the Statens Museum for Kunst. It has a historic collection of paintings and is surrounded by three scenic parks and gardens. Be sure to leave enough time to stroll through the King’s Garden and Botanical Garden in the sunlight.
Another very popular museum is Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. It has stunning architecture and has a host of antiques and sculptures from around the Mediterranean. In addition, it is right next to the Tivoli Gardens, a popular theme park in Copenhagen. Two lesser-known spaces that are tops for contemporary art are Overgaden and Cisternerne. The first is a two-story building in Christianshavn on the canal front while the second is in an underground cavern below Søndermarken park.
A Scenic Day Trip
It’s impossible to talk about art in Denmark without mentioning the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Just a thirty-five-minute train north of the city, the Louisiana Museum is one of the best modern art museums in all of Europe. It is known for its stunning seaside location, its beautiful sculpture gardens, and its impressive collection of art. If you have some spare time on your weekend trip to Copenhagen, the Louisiana Museum is a must-see.
The Culinary Capital
Copenhagen has a reputation for being one of the great culinary capitals of the world. Although it is now closing its doors, the Michelin-starred multiple award winner, Noma started here. It has been credited for pioneering the New Nordic Cuisine movement that combines locally sourced ingredients, traditional techniques, and a new standard for elevated cooking. Now, a whole group of Michelin-starred restaurants have popped up around the city including Geranium, which has three stars, and Alchemist, which has two.
But if you’re not looking to break the bank on dining, the perfect alternative is paying a visit to the city’s many food markets. A staple of these markets is Smørrebrød, a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich coming with a variety of toppings. However, you can also find tons of other cuisines in these food markets. Some notable ones worth visiting are Tovehallerne and Copenhagen Street Food.
A Perfect Weekend
The fall is the prime time to book a weekend trip to Copenhagen. Travel in October is one of blissful no obligation, but rather just to travel for the love of travel. Book your trip now with us Galavante.
