A Local Guide To Copenhagen

Copenhagen – the trendiest of the Nordic cities – has everything and more that you could possibly want from an urban break. But with a city as phenomenal as Copenhagen, you need some insider info to discover the true wonders that you won’t find in a brochure. Local guy, Lasse Skole Hansen, divulges the secrets of his hometown.

The best cocktail bar
My favourite is Lidkoeb. It’s not just a cocktail bar; it is a cocktail house. Lidkoeb is three storeys of style in an old pharmacy in Copenhagen’s hip neighbourhood, Vesterbro. Try their Elderflower Sour – even if it’s no longer on the menu the staff will still be able to mix it for you!

The best pub
A pub-styled favourite of mine is The Barking Dog. This is a place where time just stops – in a good way. It is a wonderfully relaxed, modern pub with a cosy ambiance.

The best restaurant for Danish cuisine
From the island of Bornholm, local and fresh produce is hand-picked and delivered straight to this modern gourmet restaurant. The servings are extraordinarily inventive and flavoursome and a first class interpretation of the Nordic cuisine.

The best music venue
I’ve long been a fan of Vega, a wood-panelled wonder of not-too-large stages, great sound and cool up-and-coming names. Afterwards, everyone goes to VEGA’s own intimate bar and nightclub, Ideal Bar, at street level.

The best nightclub
Culture Box is a music venue and nightclub one hundred per cent dedicated to underground electronic music and has a Berlin-like feel to it. Sadly, their DJs do not take requests!

The best cafe/coffee shop
More of an indoor food market, Papirøen (The Paper Island); this place serves up great coffee as well as tasty street food, and there are plenty of cosy benches and lounge chairs to go around.

The best gallery/theatre
The Gl. Strand Museum blends in very well with its quaint surroundings that most Danes pass it every day without taking notice of it. It focuses primarily on contemporary Danish art and always has exciting new artists on display.

The best boutique shop for men’s fashion
Swedish brand Acne has great, minimalist men’s wear and a good place to get it is Nørrebro’s Acne Archive!

The best boutique shop for women’s fashion
The little shop Fünf was founded by a small collective of Danish fashion designers who create and tailor the styles in the back of the shop. It’s personal and inspiring, and a good place to start your shopping.

The best hotel
Hotel Nimb in Copenhagen’s oldest amusement park, Tivoli, is an extraordinary place. They only have 17 rooms all designed in a clean Scandinavian style with huge free-standing tubs, open fireplace and windows overlooking the old garden.

The best day trips from Copenhagen
Tisvildeleje is the most picturesque little tranquil beach town north of Copenhagen, an hour and a half away on the train. It’s one of few places outside the Danish cities where you can get really fantastic food and hit the beach.

Three things all visitors should do in Copenhagen
Try one of the barges that sail through Copenhagen’s canals to rest your legs and see the biggest sights all at once. Then rent a bike to explore the city like a true Copenhagener. And then make it a priority to check out our Meat Packing district, which is chock full of hip-yet-unpretentious eats as well as some really fun nightclubs.

For local tips at the touch of a button, download Momondo Places straight to your iPhone. With guides on some of the most popular city destinations around the world including Copenhagen, Paris, New York, Berlin, Amsterdam and Bangkok, there are more than 200 tips on where to eat, shop, drink, dance and stay, depending on whether you’re looking for romance, culture, family, social, local or something fancy.

Visit www.momondo.co.uk for your city guide.