postcard from copenhagen

a mother-daughter getaway filled with delicious food and soft scandi charm

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Last June, Mum and I went on a 4-day trip to Copenhagen. Neither of us had ever been to a Scandinavian country, and after living with a Danish flatmate for a year, I was even more curious to discover Copenhagen for myself. I knew I’d enjoy exploring the city. I didn’t expect to feel so at home the moment we arrived.

People often talk about hygge, that distinctly Danish way of embracing life’s simple pleasures, and for some reason, I always associated it with winter and cosy time indoors. But that feeling? I felt it throughout the trip.

Everything just felt easy and safe, from getting into the city from the airport to navigating its streets. Copenhagen is flat and super walkable, with parks dotted all around for when you want to slow down and take a break. People are warm and welcoming. And their style? Effortless, yet impeccable. It's a city where good coffee and pastries are never far, and the attention to design, whether in interiors, fashion, or architecture, is truly next level.

Everyone speaks English (though I always try to pick up a few local phrases), and in June the weather was lovely: mostly sunny, around 20-23°C, with just one rainy day. When the skies turn grey, it’s the perfect excuse to duck into a museum, which is exactly what we did.

This holiday left such a mark on us that we decided to turn the mother-daughter city break into a yearly tradition. This June, we’re heading to another Scandi city: Stockholm. So if you’ve ever been or if you’re a local, help a girl out! Got any favourite cafés, galleries, museums, restaurants, or must-see spots? Tell me about them! In return, I’ll share our full 4-day Copenhagen itinerary with you.

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day 1 – arrival, smørrebrød, and strolling around

After meeting up at the airport (the flight from Edinburgh to Copenhagen takes about 1.5 hours), we checked into our hotel, Zoku Copenhagen. While it’s not right in the centre (15–20 minutes by metro, with a station just around the corner), we loved staying there. It’s a modern business hotel with thoughtfully designed rooms, co-working and social spaces, and an amazing rooftop restaurant/bar. Each time we returned, it felt a bit like coming home.

Technically, you can also walk to and from the city centre. On our first evening, we decided to do just that and stumbled upon a group of ducks crossing the road. Seeing all the cars stop and drivers get out to gently guide them was genuinely heartwarming. It was such a sweet scene, and only made us love the Danes more.

Once in town, we went looking for smørrebrød — the famous Danish open-faced sandwich. It may sound simple, but the attention to detail, flavour combinations and fresh ingredients make it something special. While strolling through Kongens Have (the King’s Garden), we spotted Orangeriet, a pavilion restaurant with tables out in the garden. The sun was shining, the setting was perfect, we couldn’t resist. My first smørrebrød was a success. The salmon quite literally melted in our mouths.

After all the travel, I needed a little pick-me-up. So we stopped by Hart Bageri, got our drinks to go, and sat at the foot of Frederiks Kirke to soak up the Danish vibe. The weather, the atmosphere, it was such a lovely moment.

Then we just let our feet guide us.

We wandered through Nyboder, a historic district of neatly lined yellow houses commissioned by Christian IV, King of Denmark and Norway, in the 17th century. Originally built as housing for the Royal Danish Navy and their families, they’re now occupied by a lucky few and have lost none of their charm. Our final stop for the day was Kastellet, a citadel and one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. It’s also where you’ll find the famous Little Mermaid statue.

In the evening, we ate at Mojoe Kitchen & Bar. It’s rather spontaneous. We both felt like fish, the menu looked tempting (moules frites for Mum, salmon pasta for me), there was space on the terrace, and the weather was holding. A perfect spot to enjoy the city vibe a little longer and do some people-watching.

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day 2 – rainy day, museum day

We kicked off our second day with brunch at studio x kitchen, a spot that had been high on my list. I absolutely loved the space, minimalist with soft colours, Japanese inspiration meets Danish design, and every detail beautifully curated.

For brunch, I chose the folded eggs & focaccia. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had anything quite like it. The eggs were unbelievably smooth and creamy, perfectly paired with crunchy focaccia. Hands down, my favourite dish of the entire trip. Give me eggs, bread (and cheese), and I’m a happy gal.

We strolled once more through Kongens Have. I love a good park, and this one kept drawing me in. Plus, it’s the oldest in the city. We also popped into the Botanical Garden, but it was under renovation, so our visit was brief (I would love to go back, though!).

Then the rain came. But we were ready for it. Just as the skies opened up, we took shelter inside the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art museum known for its extensive collection of classical sculptures. I’ll admit, traditional statues aren’t my thing. I appreciate the artistry, of course, but I tend to be more drawn to paintings, installations, or mixed media. That said, the real reason I wanted to visit (aside from escaping the downpour) was the Winter Garden. It’s the first space you enter — a grand, greenhouse-like atrium under a glass dome, with lush greenery and soft Mediterranean light. It’s often described as an oasis in the heart of Copenhagen, and I couldn’t agree more. Mum, feeling a bit tired, found a cosy spot there while I explored the rest of the museum.

Once the rain eased off, we made our way to Det Kongelige Bibliotek, the Royal Danish Library and yet another architectural gem. Nicknamed The Black Diamond, the building has a striking black glass façade that catches and reflects the light in the most dazzling way. We ended up staying a little longer as the rain returned and indulged in a hot chocolate.

On our way back to the hotel, we made a quick stop in Freetown Christiania, a colourful, alternative community known for its independent spirit and murals. But then came a full-on downpour, so we jumped on the metro, picked up some bits from the grocery store near our hotel, and had a little picnic in the room. Our feet were grateful for the rest.

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day 3 – canal tour and danish design

For our third day, I let Mum take the lead. I’d done most of the planning so far, and while I genuinely enjoy it, it felt nice to switch roles and simply follow along. Her pick? A canal tour. I’m not usually one for boats. I tend to get a bit seasick (and to be honest, I didn’t feel amazing afterwards), but if you’re visiting a waterfront city like Copenhagen, it’s still worth doing. You get to see the city from a new perspective and pass by places you might not otherwise discover.

Before hopping aboard, we stopped for a typical Danish breakfast at H A N S: sourdough bread, cheese, and whipped butter. There’s no turning back after whipped butter. It’s so creamy. I now refuse to accept it in any other form. The whole thing also felt a bit nostalgic, reminding me of the breakfasts or lunches I used to have at my grandparents’ house.

We had some time before our boat departed, so we made our way to Original Coffee, tucked away on the top floor of the ILLUM department store. The view over the square is beautiful, and the coffee hit the spot.

After the canal tour, Mum suggested heading to Nyhavn. I know it gets mixed reactions. Locals avoid it, and some call it a tourist trap. But honestly? We were tourists. Sometimes you just want to see the postcard-perfect bits. Lined with colourful buildings and buzzing with life, it’s iconic for a reason. We sat on the terrace at Nyhavns Færgekro and shared three smørrebrød. The sun was shining, it was warm, and everything tasted amazing.

With Mum’s boat activity done, it was time for mine — a visit to the Designmuseum Copenhagen. Let’s just say my heart skipped a beat at the sight of all those beautiful chairs. If you’re into interiors, fashion, or visual culture in general, this place is a must.

After three full days of walking, exploring, and eating, we wrapped things up with some ice cream and a golden hour stroll through Ørstedsparken — the perfect way to soak up a little more sun before calling it a day.

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day 4 – final strolls and saying goodbye

With our flights in the evening, we had just enough time for one last walk. After breakfast at the hotel buffet (which was truly delicious), we headed to Sortedams Sø and wandered along the lakes. We sat on a bench, soaked it all in, and reflected on the trip.

Then we continued toward Frederiksberg. If you're in the area, Vesterbrogade is great for indie boutiques, second-hand gems, and cafés. We grabbed a matcha at ORSA and had brunch at Sonny.

Since Mum’s flight was a bit earlier than mine, we headed back to the hotel to grab her suitcase. I saw her off at the metro (just 20 minutes to the airport from the city centre, so easy). Then I found a quiet café to work on my travel vlog. To end the trip where it all started, I had one last picnic in Kongens Have before catching my flight. A smooth journey back (as expected, everything in Denmark just works), and home I went.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing Copenhagen through my eyes. If this city’s been sitting on your travel list for a while, consider this your sign to go. It’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down, take in the details, and really be present. That feeling I had when I first arrived never left. Copenhagen doesn’t just feel like a great place to visit; it feels like a place I could live in. I can truly picture myself there — picking up coffee from around the corner, stopping by a bookshop, and lazing in a park until friends join for an impromptu aperitivo.

Before I sign off, here’s a quick list of all the places we visited and loved.

Hotel

• Zoku Copenhagen – Amagerfælledvej 108, 2300 København

Cafés / Bakeries

• H A N S Coffee – Boldhusgade 6, 1062 København

• Hart Bageri – Store Kongensgade 75, 1264 København

• Original Coffee – Østergade 52, 1100 København

• ORSA – Vesterbrogade 46, 1620 København

• studio x kitchen – Dronningens Tværgade 52, 1302 København

Restaurants

• Mojoe Kitchen & Bar – Gothersgade 26, 1123 København

• Nyhavns Færgekro – Nyhavn 5, 1051 København

• Orangeriet – Kronprinsessegade 13, 1306 København

• Sonny – Frederiksberg Allé 12, 1820 Frederiksberg

Museums

• Designmuseum Denmark – Bredgade 68, 1260 København

• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek – Dantes Plads 7, 1556 København

Places to Visit

• Botanical Garden

• Kastellet – Gl. Hovedvagt, Kastellet 1, 2100 København

• Kongens Have (The King’s Garden)

• Nyboder Houses

• Nyhavn

• Søerne (The Lakes)

• The Little Mermaid – Langelinie, 2100 København

• The Royal Danish Library – Søren Kierkegaards Pl. 1, 1221 København

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If this post wasn’t enough to transport you, you can watch the full vlog here:

When I say I fell in love with this city, I really mean it.

Maybe it was the clean air, the bike-friendly roads, the amazing food, or the calm, stylish energy of the people. Maybe it was the way beauty and function coexist in every corner: in the cafés, the architecture, even the sidewalks. Or maybe it was simply the joy of sharing an adventure with Mum. Whatever it was, Copenhagen left its mark, and I’m already looking forward to going back.

And now, we’re off to Stockholm soon… so if you have any tips, I’d love to hear them!

See you in the next postcard ✨

Amandine

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