From Castles To Cafés: How To Spend 5 Days In Copenhagen & My Favorite Hygge Spots

I’ve been dreaming about and planning a trip to Copenhagen for two years, and finally, my wish came true! In this Copenhagen travel guide, I’m talking all about this beautiful, charming city with a vibe so welcoming and chill, you’ll feel right at home.

From the colorful townhouses and picture-perfect parks to taking slow evening walks by the canals, this Copenhagen travel guide will make you experience the city one strong espresso shot at a time.

Where We Stayed In Copenhagen

We booked 5 stays in a beautiful Airbnb in the Islands Brygge neighborhood. The apartment was bright, spacious, and decorated in true minimalist Scandi style. It was also near the canal, so every morning before heading downtown, we took a long walk by the water and talked about our plans for the day.

Islands Brygge is a quiet area packed with cute cafes, brunch spots, and residential buildings. Though it was relatively close to the city center (a 25-minute walk), it had everything we needed in terms of supermarkets, shops, and transportation.

View Towards Islands Brygge, Copenhagen

Getting Around Copenhagen

One of my best Copenhagen travel tips? Get ready to walk a lot! I feel like this is the best way to explore every little corner of the city and discover new hidden spots. You can also rent a bike or use public transportation but bear in mind, there are special lanes and traffic lights for bikes and they’re moving fast.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Copenhagen?

If you’re wondering what month is best to visit Copenhagen, I’d say plan your trip between April and October. I’m guessing it’s pretty rainy/snowy and cold in the fall and winter months, so springtime, early summer, and early fall are the best times to visit if you want nice weather and fewer crowds.

Searching for Hygge In Copenhagen

I’ve been reading about the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) for years and was fascinated by it. So much so that I traveled to Copenhagen hoping to experience this hyggelig lifestyle everyone was talking about.

On my third day in Copenhagen, I found hygge in a small local shop.

As I was walking down Strøget on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I noticed a store called HYGGE. I went in to get souvenirs and asked the girl working there about the must-see places in Copenhagen to experience Danish hygge. 

She recommended some cozy coffee shops, bookstores, and parks, but she said, much to my surprise, that you don’t have to go anywhere or do anything specific to experience hygge.

I was confused. But…we have cozy coffee shops and charming bookstores and beautiful parks back home. How do I experience hygge here?

Hygge Is a Feeling

“Hygge is a feeling.”, she continued. “It’s about hanging out with friends, laughing, and sharing stories. A slow and quiet walk in the park. Reading a book while having your morning coffee. Spending evenings under a cozy blanket and dimmed lights watching your favorite TV show. Hygge is about enjoying the little things in life and turning them into memories.”, she smiled softly.

Ah, now that is my cup of cozy tea! Hygge is a feeling of contentment. When all is well and everything is just right. I thanked her and left the store with this book in my hands, a smile on my face, and a handmade felted wool sheep ornament as a souvenir.

The next few days, we enjoyed the spring sunshine, explored different parts of the city, drank a lot of coffee, and spent our mornings people watching.

I loved watching locals live their hyggelig lives in Copenhagen. A girl reading her book on the Royal Library lawn. A group of friends having a picnic at Rosenborg Castle’s King’s Garden. Families riding their bikes together. Coworkers having a beer after work at Langebro Pub.

People swimming in the canal and sunbathing on the harborfront. It was the end of March and the weather was windy and chilly but nobody cared. Everyone was just enjoying life. A slow, simple, blissful hyggelig life.

Copenhagen, I love you. You spoke to my heart.

Photo Taken On Our First Day In Copenhagen, Denmark

I’ve noticed that whether I’m taking a trip to a new country or embarking on a journey within myself, I’m always chasing a feeling.

Aren’t we all?

Maybe it’s the feeling of relaxation and escapism that we can’t quite achieve in our everyday lives. Maybe it’s the feeling of newness and excitement of experiencing new things. For me, the feeling I always hope to find is freedom.

Copenhagen was liberating in every sense of the word.

Psst… Looking for something cozy to read with your morning coffee in Copenhagen? Grab my Simple Guide to Slow Living ebook for more hygge inspo and simple living tips!

My Favorite Copenhagen Coffee Shops and Brunch Spots

Coffee culture in Copenhagen is an adventure in itself, especially for coffee lovers like myself. I was excited to be on a coffee expedition, determined to try all the best espressos in the city. My brain and body weren’t used to that amount of caffeine but my taste buds were in heaven.

I intentionally looked for the small, quaint, unique, and almost unnoticeable coffee shops and bakeries cozily tucked in the narrow alleys. In these little cafes, I was served some of the best coffee I’ve ever had.

These are some of my favorite hygge coffee shops in Copenhagen:

Bertels Salon

My favorite hygge spot in Copenhagen has to be Bertels Salon, where I had the most delectable key lime pie cheesecake! The staff was kind, the coffee was strong, and the interior had a vintage old townhouse cozy kind of vibe.

The Bertels Salon location we went to is at Kompagnistræde 5, Copenhagen.

Café Milans

As we were strolling the narrow Copenhagen alleyways, we came across an adorable coffee shop called Café Milans. We discovered this hidden gem by chance and decided to have Smørrebrød and espresso to take a break from all the walking we had done.

At Café Milans, Copenhagen

The sun was setting, there was a light breeze in the air, and the afternoon light was peeking through the buildings. It was truly one of the most perfect moments that I’ll remember and cherish forever.

Café Milans is located at Store Regnegade 24, 1110 Copenhagen.

Espresso House

Espresso House is the largest coffeehouse chain in the Nordic countries that serves excellent espresso, breakfast pastries, sandwiches, snacks, and juices. They have many locations in Copenhagen — there’s an Espresso House on literally every corner. I’m usually not a fan of coffee shop chains but the coffee here was really good!

Whenever we needed a break from all the sightseeing, we’d look for Espresso House in the area and within seconds, we’d find one. Early in the morning, it’s a peaceful spot to enjoy your coffee and breakfast. Later in the day, it gets busier but the line moves fast and we didn’t mind waiting.

BUKA Bakery

Eating all the Danish pastries I could manage was my No.1 priority on my Copenhagen itinerary. The very first place we went for breakfast was BUKA Bakery. If you’ve ever tried Danish butter, you know it’s out-of-this-world delicious, so no wonder their pastries are so delectable!

We opted for a Spandauer with vanilla mascarpone custard filling, topped with fresh raspberries. Yum and yum!

The Best Spandauer at BUKA Bakery, Copenhagen

Right across BUKA Bakery is another popular cafe and bakery called Lagkagehuset with a similar selection of coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.

The BUKA Bakery location we went to is at Frederiksberggade 21, 1459, Copenhagen.

Café Alma

Café Alma was the first place we had coffee after arriving in Islands Brygge. We landed in Copenhagen very early in the morning so we needed lots of caffeine and the coffee at Alma did not disappoint.

We didn’t try the food there but according to our Airbnb host, it was a pretty popular spot for brunch. The café was full whenever we passed by so I’d recommend booking a table in advance if you want to have brunch or drinks there.

Café Alma is located at Isafjordsgade 7, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Andersen Bakery

Andersen Bakery is a Copenhagen staple for authentic Danish pastries, sweets, and freshly baked bread. Our apartment in Islands Brygge was only a few blocks away from the bakery and every morning as we were walking by, we were enthralled by the smell of warm bread, sweet vanilla, and buttery croissants.

Andersen Bakery is located at Thorshavnsgade 26, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Emmerys Organic Bakery & Coffee

On our last day in Copenhagen, we still had plenty of time to explore the city since our flight was in the evening. This is how we found Emmerys, an organic bakery & coffee shop with an authentic Copenhagen feel. The atmosphere was cozy, with soft jazz music playing in the background, and the pastries were divine!

Emmerys is located at Vestergade 13, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Slow Travel Things To Do in Copenhagen

We spent 5 full days in Copenhagen because we wanted to see and experience everything without rushing. Slow travel isn’t always about how many days you spend in a place but rather how you spend your time there.

I wanted to be able to chill, drink my coffee slowly in the morning, take afternoon walks, and visit as many places as possible at a relaxed pace.

Nyhavn, Copenhagen

If you have 4-5 days in Copenhagen, you really don’t need to pack your days with activities. There’s plenty of time to see and experience everything without getting overwhelmed.

Here’s a list of some fun things to do in Copenhagen if you have 5 days:

• Find a good brunch spot and enjoy the food and coffee;
• Try different coffee shops, pastry shops, and restaurants each day;
• Go for a stroll (or for coffee) by the Nyhavn canal;
• Visit the Copenhagen Botanical Garden;
• Read a book in the Royal Library courtyard;
• Enjoy the rides at Tivoli Gardens;
• Explore your neighborhood and find cute and cozy spots;
• Take lots of pictures;
• Visit a bookstore;
• Go shopping.

The most important thing? Enjoy every moment and soak it all in. Your goal should be to have fun, not cross items off an itinerary.

How Much Money Do I Need for Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is an expensive city but how much money you’ll need depends entirely on your personal budget and preferences. For example, if you want to eat out and try different restaurants, you should set aside a higher budget as eating out can be pricy in Copenhagen.

If you’re more into sightseeing, your biggest expense would be entrance tickets to popular tourist spots. It all depends on what you want to see and how much of Copenhagen you want to experience.

Plan to spend around €50 / $55 / 380DKK per day for one person to include street food (not a restaurant meal), coffee, entrance fees, and transportation if you need it. This doesn’t include expenses like airport taxi, bus, or metro, shopping, restaurant dinners, or special experiences. Of course, you can easily spend less than this amount if you’re on a tighter budget and plan your finances well.

What to Pack for Copenhagen

We traveled to Copenhagen at the end of March and the weather was mainly sunny but very windy. I live in Southern Europe where it’s much warmer, so I made sure to pack a faux leather jacket in addition to my regular spring jacket. We only packed a single carry-on bag for the both of us and had one backpack each.

Skincare and Toiletries

For skincare, I packed my beloved Clinique Moisture Surge 100H moisturizer that I can’t live without. My skin loves it, especially after spending a few hours in a plane where it gets dry from the recycled cabin air.

I also packed a toothbrush and toothpaste, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and deodorant. If I needed anything else, I bought it at NORMAL, which is a very affordable drugstore in Copenhagen.

Body Lotion

When I travel, I always make sure to pack the most hydrating body lotion I can find. My skin didn’t like the wind in Copenhagen so I made the right choice by bringing my CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion to keep it beautifully hydrated and moisturized.

Clothes and Shoes

I wanted to keep my Copenhagen travel outfits simple and comfortable. I knew I was going to do a lot of walking and sightseeing, so I only packed casual clothes.

I try to travel light whenever possible, so this was in my half of the carry-on:

• 2 pairs of jeans
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 1 pair of casual shoes
• 1 casual dress
• A few shirts and blouses
• PJs and underwear
• Sweatpants to wear when at home

Always check the weather in Copenhagen the week before you travel as it can change in a matter of days.

Accessories

For accessories, I also kept things minimal, so I only packed one thin scarf to wear when it’s windy, a pair of sunglasses, a few pieces of simple jewelry, a small over-the-shoulder bag, and a mini backpack.

My Copenhagen Travel Essentials

Travel Backpack // Carry-On Luggage // Sunglassess // Water Bottle // Sneakers

Is Copenhagen Worth Visiting?

Copenhagen is a vibrant and charming city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modern vibes. From the colorful buildings of Nyhavn to the beautiful gardens of Tivoli, Copenhagen is one of the best places I’ve visited. It holds a very special place in my heart.

Whether you’re a foodie looking to indulge in delicious Nordic cuisine or love to explore the city’s ancient castles and museums, Copenhagen has it all. So pack your bags and get ready to have an unforgettable hyggelig experience in this remarkable city. 

For more slow travel tips and guides, be sure to check out my other posts – you won’t want to miss out on the next destination waiting to be explored. 

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