Denmark’s wonderful Copenhagen, where the water sparkles, and in summer the parks, lakes and harbourside are where the Copenhageners love to hang out. Heather Cowper shares five of her memories of the city…
Copenhagen Cocktails
With my student daughter we tasted our way round the Copenhagen cocktail scene. At the bar of luxurious Kurhotel Skodsbourg, we deliberated between the New Nordic Whiskey Sour with cherry wine or a healthy juice cocktail of apple, celery and fennel. In Vesterbro we enjoyed the casual vibe of Lidkoeb sipping summer garden cocktails at Scandi-pale booth with sheepskin throws.
Swimming in the Sound
Take the train north of Copenhagen to find beaches and swimming places all along the coast as far as Hamlet¹s castle. Perhaps you’ll spot a perfect white sail skimming along the sound between Denmark and Sweden. My daughter and I jumped in off the private jetty at Kurhotel Skodsbourg to cool off after our sauna. While all the Danish ladies swam naked, we remained resolutely British and bathed fully clothed.
Charming Tivoli
The Tivoli amusement park is Copenhagen’s treasure; amusement park, floral display and foodie destination rolled into one. It’s magical on a summer day watching the fountains play, or sit on the grass for the ballet at the Pantomime theatre. I looped the Demon with my kids but secretly prefer the old fashioned roller coaster that takes you through the Alps. Tip: Have a coffee on the terrace of the luxurious Nimb Hotel and survey the whole of Tivoli as if you own the place.
Stay: Hotel Absalon
We stayed at the newly renovated Hotel Absalon, vibrant and funky in Designers Guild furnishings. You may enjoy the playful touches like the coloured mood lighting in the bathrooms. At the opening party I was thrilled to meet my design heroine, Tricia Guild.
Foodie Copenhagen
While Noma holds the New Nordic crown, there are plenty of affordable foodie options. Lunch at Torverhallerne Market where each stand serves a different kind of lunchtime dish and I always stock up of chocolate licorice balls. As dusk falls, cross the harbour to Paper Island for Copenhagen Street Food, with food trailers for a beer overlooking the harbour.
Biog:
Heather Cowper blogs at Heather on her Travels and you can find her on Twitter @Heathercowper.
