We saved you 24 Hours in Copenhagen!

Here's how to savour a perfect day in Denmark’s capital

30 Sep 2025

If cities had personalities, Copenhagen would be that effortlessly cool friend who always knows where to find the perfect vintage armchair, brews their own coffee and somehow makes minimalism feel hygge, lived-in and a little magical. The kind of friend who’s both wildly stylish and genuinely laid-back and inspires you without even trying. As designers and co-founders at Quirk Studio, walking through the city felt like stepping into a living mood board. Every street corner, café, and piece of furniture seemed intentionally crafted — form meeting function at every turn.

Here’s how we spent a sun-soaked, design-drenched day in Denmark’s capital.
Filled with food, culture and the kind of aesthetic inspiration that makes you want to throw out everything you own and start over.

7 a.m.

Checked into our quaint, quintessential Scandinavian Airbnb, tucked into a quiet residential neighbourhood of Federiksberg, where sunlight poured through the windows and everything exuded a kind of effortless coziness.

Anecdote: Lugged our suitcases up 3 mighty storeys. Our work-out for the day! No prizes for guessing, we aren’t the lightest travellers.

9 a.m.

No perfect start without pastries! And we started ours with Buka Bakery. A cosy, quietly legendary spot tucked into the Nørrebro neighbourhood, where the smell of slow-fermented dough and freshly brewed coffee practically leads you in from the street. We were torn between cardamom knots and flaky, buttery kouign-amanns, but finally ordered pastries oozing with fresh cream and topped with fresh raspberries and cappuccinos.

Anecdote: We sat outside, digging into our pastries like it was treasure. A local walked by, pointed at our table, and gave us a knowing nod. “Good choice,” she said. We felt like we’d passed some kind of Danish design-and-carb initiation rite. Zero regrets. Only crumbs.

10 a.m.

Enroute to Designmuseum Denmark. We didn’t plan to stay long. We thought we’d breeze through, tick the box, maybe spot a few iconic chairs and call it a day. But this is Copenhagen, and of course, even the “quick stops” have a way of pulling you in. Highlights? The permanent collection of Danish iconic chairs is a must (hello, Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton).

Anecdote: Our love for museum gift shops fully unravelled here. What started as a quick browse turned into a full-on detour. We were knee-deep in coffee table books and print magazines. We had to physically pull each other away before we committed to carrying 12 pounds of design books through the airport.

1 p.m.

We had to make a stop at the stunning Asia House, formerly the headquarters of the East Asiatic Company, to experience Lee Broom’s highly anticipated exhibition, From Here Now. And we’re so glad we did.

The exhibit transported us to another time; it was far more than just a lighting display. It masterfully highlighted the historic architecture of Asia House, with Broom’s signature pieces not only complementing but also elevating the space with a deeply dramatic and immersive mood.

2 p.m.

We headed towards the bustling Strøget area. Stretching from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv, Strøget isn’t just one street—it’s a series of interconnected promenades flanked by flagship stores, Danish boutiques, and centuries-old façades that make you feel like you’re walking through a perfectly composed Instagram grid.

A few floors up from Strøget’s bustle, HAY House is a sanctuary- a second-floor apartment showroom overlooking the cobbled heart of the city. Think of it as a Danish design temple. We absolutely recommend leaving room in your suitcase to pick up a few accessories: a colour-blocked tray, a clever candlestick, or their iconic paper products. Take your time here. You’ll want to photograph everything.

After our HAY immersion, we continued our walk towards Nyhavn-Copenhagen’s iconic harbourfront, just a ten-minute stroll east. And then, like a storybook opening, Nyhavn appeared. Rows of 17th-century houses painted in ochre, coral, seafoam, and lemon, hug the canal. Wooden boats bob in the water. Cafés spill out onto the cobble streets. It’s so easy to see why Hans Christian Andersen lived here.

4 p.m.

Just a few blocks away, the vibe shifts dramatically. Paludan Bog & Café is Copenhagen’s oldest café bookstore, and it wears its history like a well-loved wool coat. Here, the shelves overflow—novels, academic texts, poetry, politics, many second-hand, all whispering stories.

The interior is layered and warm, with mismatched chairs, soft lighting, and the scent of old books blending with freshly ground coffee. The kind of place you imagine Hemingway would’ve spent days at end. We grabbed a table, ordered coffee and loaded avocado toasts, and moments later it arrived. Everything here is perfectly imperfect, warm, and completely alive.

Anecdote:
They say, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”– Cicero
We looked up, realised we were surrounded by about five thousand books, and felt instantly, overwhelmingly soulful.

6 p.m.

We were lucky to catch the perfect sunny day in Copenhagen. In Copenhagen, people really make the most of good weather. Locals spill out into parks, lounge by the canals and harbours, set up beach chairs, and turn the entire city into an open-air living room.

Reffen was the perfect place to experience this vibe in full. Located on the historic Refshaleøen harbour island, this vibrant street food and cultural hub feels like a little world of its own. It almost sounded too good to be true—a sun-drenched evening of summer cocktails, creative global street food, harbour views, and laid-back music. But it was every bit as magical as it promised.

Anecdote: Come hungry. Bring friends who share. Bonus if they’re decisive. Essential if they’re not.

8:30 p.m.

Dinner reservation at Delphine. Felt like someone dropped a sunlit Greek taverna in the middle of Scandinavia — then styled it to perfection. Bold stripped flooring, rattan accents, and a colour palette straight out of a Mediterranean daydream.

We got some grilled halloumi and lamb, crispy aubergine, tzatziki and hummus platters and olives! Lots of olives!
Design-wise? 10/10. Even the lighting had a golden hour filter.