Copenhagen in Winter: scandinavian charm at its best (2/2)
The capital of Denmark is a city that captivates year-round. However, in winter, it transforms into a true Nordic haven. Its cozy atmosphere, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural life offer a unique experience that envelops visitors in a sense of warmth, even when the temperatures drop.
Last week we shared the first part of this feature, highlighting experiences such as the Winter baths. This time, we present the second part, focusing on various plans related to art, culture, and gastronomy. Enjoy the read and the recommendations!
Copenhagen by bike, 365 days a year
Although it might seem challenging, Copenhagen is actually one of the most bike-friendly cities, even in winter. The Danes don’t give up their bicycles just because of the cold, and the streets are perfectly equipped to ensure safe cycling during the winter months.
A bike ride around the city is one of the best ways to enjoy Copenhagen during these colder months.
But if you’re not feeling up to the challenge, with the Copenhagen Card, you can comfortably explore the city while staying protected from the cold.
Copenhagen on ice
Ice skating in Copenhagen is the perfect way to embrace the cold winter months: it’s cozy, fun, and keeps you fit! Scattered around the city, you’ll find charming ice rinks open to everyone, whether you’re an experienced skater or a first-timer.
One of the most popular rinks is the traditional Krinsen ice rink at Kongens Nytorv. It’s circular and covers 1,300 square meters. Situated around the Crown and the equestrian statue of King Christian V at Kongens Nytorv, it’s right in the heart of the city, surrounded by iconic historic buildings such as the Royal Theatre, Charlottenborg Palace, Thotts Palæ, and Hotel D’Angleterre. Skating here is a unique experience. All you need is a bit of courage, warm clothes, and a willingness to enjoy (laughs).
Another option is the Frederiksberg Runddel ice rink, next to the entrance of Frederiksberg Gardens. It’s not very large, and entrance is free, so everyone is welcome. During the day, you can rent a pair of skates for 60 Danish kroner, available until one hour before closing time.
In short, the ice skating rinks in Copenhagen are the perfect place to experience winter in a fun and magical way. With the cold as a backdrop, the city dresses up for the occasion, offering a unique experience for both locals and travelers looking to immerse themselves in the Nordic spirit.
An unforgettable Sigur Rós concert at Falkoner Salen
Sigur Rós is the iconic Icelandic post-rock band formed in Reykjavik in January 1994. Their music is known for creating a dreamlike atmosphere through atmospheric and environmental elements.
In 2024 and 2025, they are on tour, and we had the chance to see them perform at Falkoner Salen, a conference and hotel complex located in the Frederiksberg district. The building stands on the site where the old town hall of Frederiksberg once was.
The Scandic hotel chain took over the building in 2016, and from January 2017 to 2019, it underwent a major renovation and expansion, both in terms of room capacity and facilities for meetings and events. On August 7, 2019, Scandic’s new star in the city, Scandic Falkoner, opened its doors. In addition to an impressive concert hall, it also houses a restaurant, a store, and the hotel.
It was in this amazing venue that Sigur Rós performed alongside an orchestra of 41 musicians, conducted by Robert Ames. For over two hours, they moved us to tears more than once. They played songs from their entire career, including tracks like “Blóðberg”, “Fljótavík”, “Andvari”, “Varðeldur”, “Heysátan”, “Hoppípolla” and “Avalon”, as well as from their latest album “ÁTTA”. This combination was a winner, as they elevated the concert to another level, creating magical, apocalyptic soundscapes that were absolutely breathtaking.
As mentioned, they are still on tour, so we highly recommend seeing them live. It’s one of those experiences you will never forget. We promise.
The magic of nordic cuisine
When the cold sets in, Copenhagen’s gastronomy becomes an irresistible refuge. Locals flock to restaurants seeking a comforting and often surprising culinary experience.
The city is famous for its avant-garde approach to food, and winter is no exception. From Noma, one of the world’s most renowned restaurants, to cozy neighborhood cafés and bistros, the flavors of Copenhagen are a feast for the senses.
Each time we visit the city, we return excited after trying new bites and discovering new hotspots to remember. Here are our latest discoveries:
Restaurants
BeitSalma: We mentioned it in the first article about Copenhagen in winter. A must-visit.
Kismet: This charming café/restaurant opened its doors last summer. They offer breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks. Their midday dishes are delicious, as are their handmade pastries. Besides the great atmosphere, they also have excellent service.
Slurp Ramen Joint: Incredible ramen and gyoza recipes that will blow your mind. The chef worked at Noma, and it shows. The place is small, and you eat at the counter. The music playlist is fantastic, and the vibe is great. The only thing you’ll need to keep in mind is that you’ll likely have to wait in line.
Fleisch: Located in the Meatpacking District of Copenhagen, this industrial-style restaurant prioritizes meat and organic ingredients. Like most of the city’s restaurants, we recommend making a reservation. By the way, the vegetarian dishes and the fish of the day are also exquisite options.
Amiralgade 26: This is our favorite restaurant in Copenhagen, and for many reasons. Christian Nedergaard and Sebastian Nellemann are behind this special hotspot. It’s located in a historic 1796 house in the old town of the city. As soon as you cross the threshold, you’ll feel the good energy of the place. But the best part is not the Japandi-inspired interior design, but its cuisine, wines, and fantastic service.
From Monday to Friday, they offer à la carte or a menu for lunch. In the evenings, it’s also à la carte, and on Saturdays, they offer a delicious Japanese-style “choushoku” lunch. There are three dishes you must try: the flavorful bouillabaisse, the folded omelette (a very juicy version of an omelette) served with kimchi, and the eggplant with hoisin sauce. Mmmm…
Et cetera: This small South Korean-inspired restaurant is located at Skjolds Plads in Nørrebro. It’s also new, and we were really impressed. From their menu, we highly recommend the irresistible and super fluffy tamago sando (egg sandwich), their onion pancake with chili oil, or the surprising black sesame granola. Their sweets, like the matcha roll cake, matcha canelé, and any of their Daifukus, are also a must-try.
Bars
Although Copenhagen is not known as a bar city, we recommend these four: Bar Vitrine, where you can enjoy an excellent natural wine list; La Banchina for the same reason; Ved Stranden 10, the wine bar of Amiralgade 26; and Paloma, in Nørrebro, where they make delicious cocktails. In any of them you will enjoy a great atmosphere.
Exploring Copenhagen’s design and culture
Copenhagen is a hub for design, and in winter, its cultural offerings only get richer. The city is home to an incredible number of museums and galleries that invite you to dive into Danish creativity.
For contemporary art lovers, Contemporary Copenhagen, located in Refshaleøen, offers a unique art experience in a space that blends design, art, and architecture.
It’s our favorite museum in Copenhagen and beyond, and every time we visit the city, we make sure to stop by.
On this occasion, there were also a series of exceptional exhibitions, including the first European retrospective of innovative Argentine pop artist Marta Minujín.
Marta Minujín (b. 1943) is an iconic figure and one of the most outstanding Latin American pop and conceptual artists of all time.
Over the past 60 years, she has developed happenings, performances, installations, and video works that have influenced generations of contemporary artists in Latin America, the United States, and Europe.
The exhibition at CC showcases Minujín‘s lifelong work through different periods and geographies, featuring several of her most recent pieces, including gigantic installations, soft sculptures, and large collage paintings covered with her iconic neon stripes, illuminated by video projections. It’s absolutely recommended and will be available until April 25, 2025.
“Art should surprise and shake the viewer.” M. Minujín
Another immersive installation that can also be visited is “Aftershock”, created specifically for CC by American artist James Turrell. In 2024, it became the first permanent acquisition at CC, thanks to a donation from Augustinus Fonden.
“Light itself is a revelation.” James Turrell
The “Aftershock” experience begins outside the artwork, where visitors must remove their shoes and ascend a few steps to what appears to be a temple, leading into a sensory space to witness a cycle of colored light. It’s mind-blowing. And as it envelops you in light and color, the installation induces a sensation of disappearing spatial boundaries and a loss of orientation.
“Aftershock” is part of a series of installations called “Ganzfelds”, which have become an icon of Turrell’s work with light, space, and color. “Ganzfeld” is a psychological term coined in the 1930s by German psychologist Wolfgang Metzger, who studied the effects of sensory overload. Exposed to an intense stream of color, the brain begins to hallucinate as it struggles to create meaning in an infinite field of color. It’s not possible to take photos.
As expected, we highly recommend you don’t leave the museum without visiting the shop. It has been renovated and is full of desirable items.
In addition to this museum, we also recommend the DAC and others you’ll find in one of the articles we published last year.
And if you’re in the mood for visiting art galleries, our favorites are Brigade Gallery, GL Strand, and Nikolaj Art Gallery.
Lastly, if you enjoy cinema and want to enjoy beautiful views, you’ll love the Cinemateque. Located across from King’s Garden, it has three cinemas and a rooftop café.
A stylish city, whether cold or warm
Another standout feature of Copenhagen is how it maintains a sublime level of aesthetics, even during the holiday season. This means that, although the streets are decorated, there is no overabundance of Christmas decorations. These are concentrated in the Christmas markets and Tivoli Gardens, but the rest of the city remains cozy, yet above all, elegant. This is something we truly appreciate.
Many cities lose their charm during this season by flooding their streets with lights, thinking this will make them more attractive. However, this way of decorating and celebrating the holidays isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it also ties into sustainability. Another reason to remain in love with Copenhagen.
In conclusion, as we’ve shown in these two articles, Copenhagen in winter is a wonderful place, full of light, culture, and a warmth that turns even the coldest days into a charming experience. If you haven’t yet experienced winter in the Danish capital, we guarantee that you’ll love it.
(*) Photos: Ely Sánchez y Cecilia Camacho (CC/magazine).
&p[summary]=&p[url]=https://ccmagazine.es/en/copenhagen-in-winter-scandinavian-charm-at-its-best-2-2&p[images[0]=https://ccmagazine.es/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copenhagen_CCmagazine_wintertime8.png){kind=link}
){kind=link}