There are cities that dazzle, cities that overwhelm, and then there is Copenhagen—a city that invites you to breathe. Named the world’s most livable city for 2025 and a beacon of modern Danish design, New Nordic cuisine, and quiet sustainability, Copenhagen is less a destination and more a rhythm. Here, hygge is not a trend but a state of being. A softness. A certain way the light falls across the water at 7pm.

In June, with sunlight stretching nearly 18 hours a day, the Danish capital swells with life. Not in the frenetic way of London or New York, but with a collective exhale. People walk, cycle, swim, or simply sit. On a recent summer afternoon, I found myself surrounded by more people in the streets than I’ve ever seen in Berlin or Munich—drawn out not by spectacle, but by sunshine, connection, and an unspoken agreement to enjoy what is real.

What follows is a quiet map of favorites—places we return to, slowly, and recommend with intention.

To Stay

If your visit is a celebration, begin at Hotel Sanders—a place where velvet, rattan, and candlelight meet quiet luxury. Villa Copenhagen, with its rooftop pool and urban grandeur, offers timeless elegance. And of course, Audo House, where design, dining, and residence coexist in harmony, holds a special place in our hearts.

The ROE Bar

To Begin Your Day

There’s no rush. Coffee is an experience in Copenhagen. Try Prolog Café in the Meatpacking District for soulful simplicity, or Coffee Collective for something more polished. April Coffee brings thoughtful roasting and calm interiors.

Atelier September

Atelier September, with its famous whipped butter and seasonal produce, is a ritual worth repeating. For lunch, sit in the sun-dappled garden of Apollo Bar, or discover The ROE Bar hidden inside the Louise Roe store.

To Taste

This city lives through its food.

While Noma deserves a chapter of its own, those who can secure a seat will carry that memory for life. For a more spontaneous taste of its legacy, seek out the Noma Projects greenhouse pop-up, where you can buy their new bottled products and take a taste of Noma home.

Cycle to Refshaleøen, a once-industrial corner now brimming with culture. Have something sweet at Lille Bakery, then swim, sip, or sit at La Banchina—part wine bar, part sauna, all serenity.

Juno the Bakery

Bakeries are a religion here. Hart Bageri’s cardamom croissant is pure alchemy, and Juno the Bakery, opened by a former Noma pastry chef, is well worth the queue. For the best ice cream, Alice offers house-made cones and a dairy-free pistachio that feels like summer in a bite.

Among meals, stroll through Torvehallerne, the city’s famed food hall. Fresh florals, local cheeses, and open-faced smørrebrød await. Or try the tacos at Hija de Sanchez—unexpected, unforgettable.

Other favorites:

• POPL Burger – a casual concept by Noma alumni

• Barr – refined comfort with a waterfront view

• Slurp Ramen Joint – best enjoyed late and lingering

• Kødbyens Fiskebar – seafood in the heart of the Meatpacking District

To Discover

Copenhagen is a design lover’s sanctuary. Visit Frama Studio Store for tactile beauty, New Mags for literary escapism, and Studio Oliver Gustav for the sublime. Don’t miss Hay House, Tekla, Toteme, or Ruby Atelier. If time allows, take the 25-mile journey north to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art—a temple of art, sea, and sky.

To Move

The best way to explore is by bike—nearly every hotel offers one. Or hop on a Lime and drift from street to sea. Refshaleøen, Frederiksberg, Nørrebro—each district is its own rhythm.

Copenhagen doesn’t demand your attention. It earns it. And as you move through its streets, you’ll find that design isn’t reserved for galleries or grand spaces—it’s in the way people live, gather, and slow down together.

This is a city that keeps it real. And reminds you to do the same.

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