Copenhagen love - Agnes' top tips

FREEDOMtravel is hosted by Agnes, who runs the Today Lifestyle blog.

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I've visited Copenhagen about 20 times by now and I'm starting to call myself a bit of a Copenhagen expert. This is partly because I fell in love with the city at an early age and partly because my in-laws live in southern Skåne, so it's easy to take a trip across the strait when my partner and I visit them.

So what is it that makes Copenhagen so special?

I would say it's its variety, the different neighbourhoods have their own charm and style - there is simply something for everyone. Copenhagen is also a very relaxed city if I compare, for example, with Stockholm where I live. After having done Copenhagen's main shopping street, Ströget, and the city centre countless times, I started to move away and two neighbourhoods have emerged as my favourites: Nörrebro and Vesterbro.

Nörrebro or Nørrebronx as Copenhageners sometimes call it, has a slightly artistic vibe. Here, kebab stalls jostle with street markets on Saturdays. Be sure to check out the bars and cafes on Blågårdsgade, once notorious for street fights but now a real gem for anyone who wants to try a local beer or eat vegetarian, organic or a good tapas plate.

Walk down to St. Hans Square, which is cosy on a sunny afternoon, and take the road via Elmegade for a look at the nice little shops. Stop at Malbeck Vinoteria on one corner of Elmegade if you like tapas and good Argentine wines (or any other wines for that matter). But book a table if you want to eat there in the evening, it fills up quickly. Other restaurant favourites in Nörrebro are Scarpetta for small dishes, Oysters & Grill for seafood or steak, and Kung Fu for Japanese specialities.

Vesterbro is the best neighbourhood if you like music and nice neighbourhood pubs and restaurants. Take a stroll along Vesterbrogade and its parallel street Gamle Kongevej and browse the nice shops.

In terms of food, I can recommend visiting Kødbyen or as we Swedes call it Köttbyn. Late in the evening and at night the old slaughterhouse premises are transformed into nightclubs, but today the area is just as well known for its nice restaurants. There are also three of my absolute favourites: Paté Paté, Kødbyens Fiskebar and the famous pizzeria Mother.

In Vesterbro, there are Vega House of Music which regularly organises gigs with Danish, Swedish and international artists. If you're lucky, you can schedule a gig while you're still in Copenhagen. The venue has a 70s style and is relatively small so you get the chance to get close to the artists.

See and do

Aside from just cycling around or eating your way through the city, I would recommend visiting Louisiana museum located just north of Copenhagen on the road to Elsinore. Whatever the exhibition, the museum is known for its beautiful surroundings and permanent installations.

Walk around the lakes that connect Österbro, Nörrebro and Vesterbro to get an idea of how the city is connected.

Visit a microbrewery! My first visit was to Mikkeller in Vesterbro, which in the last year has also opened in Nörrebro. There you can order local beers in 25 cl glasses and thus try out a slightly larger part of the range. Or take a tour to Nørrebro Bryghus where you can sample beer and have dinner in the cosy restaurant.

Travel

Since it is often a long weekend, I usually fly from Stockholm to gain as much time in the city as possible. The last few times I've found cheap flights on Expedia and tried to save money by booking flights and hotels at the same time. It is also possible to find some last-minute bargains, so it is possible to make a relatively cheap and spontaneous trip.

Once in the city, I highly recommend getting around by hiring a bike. Weather permitting, it's absolutely the best way to see the city. Copenhagen lives up to its name as the city of cyclists with its well-planned bike lanes, but beware, the pace feels almost like the German autobahn the first few times before you get used to it.

As you cycle around, you realise that the city, despite its 1.2 million inhabitants, is not that big in terms of distance. It is also free of hills, which means that it is not particularly difficult to get around on two wheels. There are thousands of bicycle hire companies, last time we tested Rent a Bike Copenhagen as it was the most convenient and it worked well.

About me

My name is Agnes Edin and I am a 28-year-old travel enthusiast who likes to go for a run whenever possible. My blog contains a bit of everything, but mainly travel stories and tips, some interior design and some sports. My next trip will be a long weekend in Europe in July to a yet unknown destination. If you want to know more, visit my blog: http://todaylifestyle.se

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