Exploring the Best of Denmark in Hygge SeasonDenmark is an ideal destination for fall or winter thanks to the way they embrace Hygge — “a quality of coziness and comfort that creates a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).” Use this itinerary to plan the ultimate cozy trip!Authorsmelissamale
DestinationsDenmarkItinerary

Day 1

Lagkagehuset
This is a perfect casual chain to grab a quick coffee and pastry. There are a few locations in the airport, so it’s especially convenient if your flight arrives early and you need some caffeine!
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Kagefryd
An incredibly cozy local spot, Kagefryd translates to “cake delight,” and true to its name, this café offers a variety of delicious cakes and treats.
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Patio
This café serves delicious coffee and Danish breakfast. Their omelette with sesame oil is not to be missed. The interior has a minimal, Nordic vibe that somehow still manages to feel cozy and welcoming.
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73 Strandgade Vinbar & Butik
Enjoy wine, cocktails, and elevated bites at this boutique wine bar. With plenty of outdoor seating when the weather permits and a cozy ambiance inside, you can’t go wrong stopping here for a sip and a snack.
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Markbrød | Bakeria
This bakery has some of the best pastries in town. You can walk over to the marina to sit and enjoy a treat while watching the water and the boats cruising by.
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Strandvejsristeriet
A ceramics lover’s dream. If you enjoy taking home handmade ceramics from your travels, this is the shop for you!
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Witzke Design
This shop sells furniture and décor that will make you wish you had another suitcase (or a small plane to fly home your purchases). I was eyeing more than a few lamps!
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Shadesby igenibrug
A shop specializing in a huge variety of unique lampshades. Patterns and colors galore! It’s also a great spot to pick up gifts to take home, as they sell more than just lampshades.
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Værftets Madmarked
This massive food hall offers every type of cuisine you can think of. The tables and seating feel like someone’s cozy living room, with lots of fun lighting, décor, and vintage furniture. A fun spot to grab a bite!
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Gilleleje Badehotel
This hotel is a coastal gem. An intimate, seaside retreat with a cozy, candlelit lobby filled with books. You can sit and enjoy a drink by the fire in the evening. A beautiful, peaceful escape from busier cities and towns.
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Day 2

Restaurant Strejf
Fine dining featuring seasonal ingredients right along Helsingør’s waterfront. Classic French culinary art meets New Nordic cuisine within a cozy, historic building.
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Arne Jacobsen gas station and ice cream parlor
Arne Jacobsen, a Danish architect and furniture designer, created this gas station, which became an icon of early modernist functionalism in Denmark. You can fuel up in more than one way, as there’s also a café inside!
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Finn Juhl's House
Lover of Danish design? You must visit Finn Juhl’s House. To gain entrance, you’ll purchase a pass to Ordrupgaard with an additional charge to visit Finn Juhl’s home.
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25hours Hotel Paper Island
If you’re looking for a hotel that has it all, this one is for you. Clean, comfortable, and well-designed rooms, a café and restaurant downstairs, and a bar with beautiful views of Copenhagen. They offer bike rentals, which I recommend you take advantage of if you’re comfortable biking!
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Reffen - Skøjteøen
Reffen is essentially a giant (mostly) outdoor food hall with something for everyone. I highly recommend grabbing some Nordic Dogs, or any food of your choosing, and heading over to Mikkeller for a couple of beers, as they allow you to enjoy your food there!
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Lille Bakery
Lille Bakery is a well-known bakery in Copenhagen. For this reason, I recommend getting there on the earlier side. It’s located in a unique industrial space, and if you sit up top, you can watch the behind-the-scenes baking process. Be mindful if taking photos.
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Church of Our Saviour
The Church of Our Savior is a baroque church with a famous spiral tower. Head to the top of the spiral for incredible views of Copenhagen!
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LaLaLa
When you walk up to LaLaLa, you’ll notice the orange glow of candlelight, the mingling of conversations, and the clinking of wine glasses. This French brasserie serves up a delicious steak frites. Pair it with a glass of red, and the cozy ambience is bound to make for a lovely evening.
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Nebbiolo Winebar
Enjoy a glass of wine in this relaxed and unpretentious setting.
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Day 3

Lipa
This cafe is laptop friendly and the perfect spot to get some work done. The space is gorgeous and serves a great Danish breakfast and smooth, delicious coffee.
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Cisterns in Søndermarken
This exhibit is truly an experience. Inspired by the creator’s research involving cracks within the earth, you descend the stairs into a dark, damp space filled with glowing artifacts. You walk along pathways with no railing, surrounded by water. It gives you the sense that you’re inside the earth.
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Mad & Kaffe Frederiksberg
This is a popular spot for brunch in Copenhagen, and it gets fairly crowded, but they have tons of outdoor seating if the weather permits. The menu has something for everyone, and the interior feels casual yet chic.
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Istedgade
This street is located in the trendy Vesterbro neighborhood, a former red-light district that’s now a vibrant and diverse area with plenty of boutiques, cafes, bars, and restaurants.
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Værnedamsvej
This street is filled with independent shops, cute cafes, galleries, and restaurants. You could easily spend half a day eating, drinking, and shopping your way down the street.
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Lokal ApS.
This coffee shop has an absolutely stunning interior and delicious coffee. The beautiful collection of vintage finds lining the shelves is available for purchase. I picked up a few special items!
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Thorvaldsens Museum
This museum is dedicated to the art of Danish and Icelandic Neoclassical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. It features sculptures mostly made from marble and plaster.
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Restaurant Gorilla
Restaurant Gorilla is a fun, eclectic spot for a meal. They offer a tasting menu, or you can order à la carte. Their oysters and cod croquettes are a tasty start, and you can’t go wrong with any of their pastas!
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Falernum
With small plates and a wide variety of wines to choose from, Falernum is an intimate spot to relax and unwind.
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Day 4

Baryl
Baryl offers a split to-go coffee cup, so if you’re feeling indecisive, you can get two drinks in one! Matcha AND iced latte, please.
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Atelier September
One of Copenhagen’s most popular brunch spots for both its food and aesthetics. The whipped butter tower on display says it all. Arrive early if you don’t want to wait for a seat!
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WAUW Design Studio & Store
A shop filled with beautiful ceramics of all colors, shapes, and sizes. As someone who loved to collect ceramics from all of my travels, I love finding treasures in shops like this one!
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Dallas Coffee
Hip coffee spot with great matcha and yummy breakfast. Small space, perfect for two to sit and enjoy!
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Nordre Frihavnsgade
Located in the Østerbro neighborhood, Nordre Frihavnsgade is one of Copenhagen's most popular destinations for shopping, cafés, clothing, and antique stores, featuring many trendy boutiques!
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Vækst
This Michelin Guide restaurant lets you enjoy modern Nordic cuisine while feeling connected to nature. You’ll feel like you’re eating in a garden, with a beautiful greenhouse-like structure anchoring the space. They have vegetarian options!
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Danish Architecture Center
Danish architecture is known for its focus on functionality, simplicity, and natural materials. It is also known for blending historic styles with contemporary innovation. This museum takes you through some of the most famous figures in Danish design and shows how their work has inspired design around the world.
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Restaurant Maven
Located inside Nikolaj Church in the heart of Copenhagen, this restaurant is as visually stunning as the food is delicious. I was there on a windy, rainy evening, and it was incredibly cozy. Filled with candles that glow and reflect off the gorgeous windows, the space invites you to stay awhile.
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Duck and Cover - Cocktailbar
This cocktail bar gives major speakeasy vibes. You’ll want to come back night after night to drink your fill through their inventive cocktail menu!
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Experiences & Tours

Copenhagen Walking Tour with Food Testing (smorrebrod dish & snap)
Copenhagen’s old city is perfect for wandering. Stroll past medieval walls, narrow streets, and colorful buildings, spotting royal castles and historic landmarks along the way. With a local guide, end the tour by trying Denmark’s famous smørrebrød at a cozy, traditional spot.
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Easy Tour; Kronborg Castle and Frederiksborg Palace
With a fantastic English-speaking guide, the Easy-Pace Tour takes you to two incredible sites outside Copenhagen. At Kronborg Castle, enjoy fascinating stories and a touch of humor as you explore the grounds. Then marvel at Frederiksborg Palace on your own, wandering the palace and baroque gardens.
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