Yes, Copenhagen IS That Cool.
the "cool girl" fallacy and a micro-guide to the city for slow, creative travelers
There’s no way around it: Copenhagen is that cool.
Every Pinterest image, every easy, breezy Instagram reel, every round-up of perfectly flaky pastries and gorgeous girls on bikes you’ve seen… You weren’t lied to. It’s all real, and it’s all happening at any given minute in this city.
I think part of me came to Copenhagen looking for proof that the “Cool Girl” dream still exists. You know. The woman gliding down a cobblestoned street on her colorful bike, bare-faced, dewy. She eats whatever she wants and listens to indie artists you haven’t heard of yet. She has a go-to order at her favorite bakery and is friendly with the employees. She’s chic as hell, wearing nothing but classic pieces that look somehow perfectly new and fresh on her body. Copenhagen seemed like the natural habitat for her.
And the thing is… This city is wildly stylish. It’s minimalist, design-forward, and full of aesthetic ease. The pastries really are that buttery and flaky. The people really are tall, thin, and luminous. The buildings really are that perfectly worn-out wash of color. People really do float on their bikes in a way that makes walking feel inefficient.
Every time I turned a corner, I caught a glimpse of some version of the life I was told I could have if I just tried hard enough to seem like I wasn’t trying at all.
I don’t begrudge Copenhagen for that. But as I sat in the Espresso House, laptop open and trying to summarize all the beautiful things I’d done and seen… I couldn’t lie. I felt so deeply uncool here.
But here’s the problem (I’ve learned)… performing coolness kills curiosity. You can’t observe and perform at the same time. You can’t savor and self-edit. You can’t really see the world if you’re too busy trying to perfectly match its vibe.
And honestly? I’d rather be moved than cool. I’d rather have pastry flakes down my shirt than an unbothered Instagram Story. I’d rather speak broken Danish and get giddy with excitement than sit quietly, pretending I belong here.
So yes, Copenhagen is that cool. But trying to match it… trying to be that girl… only makes me feel smaller. And this trip isn’t about fitting in. It is about coming alive.
In dropping the “cool act” I could actually notice things. The glow of light at 9 p.m. (Sunset and golden hour seems to never end here?) The steeples of the city skyline. The woman sketching alone in the corner of the museum. These weren’t “Cool Girl” moments. They were real ones.
So yeah, I am uncool here. I’m ridiculously uncool. But that’s more than okay, because I’m here, I’m soaking it in, and I’m LOVING it.
A Gentle Creative Girl’s Guide to Copenhagen
By now, you know: I’m not here to give you a whirlwind itinerary or overwhelm you with “must-see” lists. I shared in this note recently, my travel formula is simple, and it has never steered me wrong…
One part delicious pastry (or gorgeous café)
One part museum or meaningful sight
One part aesthetic wandering (ideally on foot or bike)
That’s it.
So if you’re planning your own dreamy few days in Copenhagen, here’s a simple guide to start you off. Choose one of each category for each day and you’re sure to have a cozy, comforting and inspiring trip!
Pastries
Juno The Bakery - An icon for a reason! Although it’s out of the main hub of the city, it is worth the trip ten thousand times over. I will crave a bite of their perfect cardamom buns every day that I am alive.
Hart Bakery - Excellent options all around. We loved their cardamom croissant and cinnamon roll twists!
BUKA - Although they’re known for their pistachio croissants, we become infatuated with their pillowy cinnamon roll with orange!
Andersen & Maillard - A highly recommended spot for their criossant cube, but their spandauer is also a great option!
Museum & Meaningful Sights
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek - My favorite museum in the city! This fine art museum spans everything from ancient Egyptian mummies, Greek and Roman sculptures, and impressionist and post-impressionist French & Danish artists. The greenhouse inside is a marvel in and of it’s self!
The Happiness Museum - A small, yet heartwarming museum that offers a real glimpse into Danish culture and the psychology that has made them the happiest country in the world. Be sure to leave a sticky note about what brings you happiness to its vast collection!
National Museum of Denmark - For the history buffs and for anyone looking to learn more about Viking culture (and see prehistoric exhibits), this one is for you! They also have a super cute children’s museum.
Museum of Copenhagen - This mansion houses lots of local relics from the city from its earliest days. Known for its Viking exhibit!
Aesthetic Wandering
Nyhavn - For those picture-perfect colorful rows of homes on the canal! Grab yourself a hot dog and enjoy the breeze while people watching… or if you’re feeling adventurous, take a canal cruise!
Magstræde - A street that I couldn’t put my camera down! The light bouncing off the yellow and grey-blue houses here are just divine.
Rosenborg Castle & - Fairytale-like exteriors, with lots of wonderful green space surrounding it.
Botanical Garden - Located right behind Rosenborg Castle, this greenhouse is simply stunning.
Garden of the Royal Library - A peaceful refuge with gorgeous flowers blooming right behind the Danish Parliament Building. Perfect for a peaceful afternoon with a book.
Other Recommendations
Broens Street Food - An open-air market (near Nyhavn) where some of the city’s best restaurants have small tasting menus to try! Be sure to get a Gasoline Grill burger and Stranga’s loaded fries and thank me later.
Freetown Christiania - This intentional community and anarchist commune is worth a visit! Make sure to go midday to grab a coffee or explore the shops. We came here too early by accident, and nothing was open yet!
Tivoli Gardens - We didn’t go here simply because we don’t love amusement parks, but it’s highly recommended!
As a side note, we didn’t each a single bad meal here. Although I’m an excellent planner, there were times when we wanted to grab a bite and had no recommendations for me to pull from… and yet we STILL were blown away by the quality of the food we had. Copenhagen is a foodie city, and I love that!
At the end of the day, it’s never about being the cool girl. I’ll admire her from afar and look down at my crumb-covered top, thankful that I’m alive and able to witness such effortlessness. It’s not for me to adopt, it’s for me to appreciate. That’s what Copenhagen gave me. I hope this little guide inspires your version of that!
P.S. If you enjoyed this piece, I’d be so grateful if you shared it with a friend or became a paid subscriber for more slow travel stories, creative rituals, and everyday romanticism. And if you’re a paid subscriber, stay tuned! Some cozy Copenhagen-inspired journal prompts are coming your way soon.
- Laura
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This is beautifully and cleverly written… I loved it! Copenhagen has never been at the top of my list, but honestly, after reading this and seeing the gorgeous photos… I want to go now! The picture I loved the most was the roses with the yellow wall behind it! 🌹💛
reading this feels like I am there. thank you for sharing! 🤍 I will for sure keep this on my travel list when I decide to travel to Copenhagen :)