#YellowtraceTravels to Copenhagen Denmark. Photo © Nick Hughes.

 

You know, I wouldn’t usually bother giving you another travel story from a city we spoke about in depth just 12 months ago, however we are talking about Copenhagen, and for this little gem in Northern Europe that’s close to my heart, a different set of rules apply. For such a pint-sized city, Copenhagen packs a significant punch on the world stage. Not only is it stunningly beautiful with superlative design pedigree most other cities and nations can only dream of, Copenhagen has a uniquely elegant appeal that’s difficult to sum up in words. It’s oh-so incredibly charming and it’s people are beautiful, generous, super easy going, openminded and seriously welcoming (with just enough weirdness and edge sprinkled in to make things interesting and awesome), Copenhagen is one of those cities I could actually see myself living with happiness and ease, and I truly don’t say that about too many places in the world. Perhaps it’s this elusive sense of balance I feel when spending time here that I find so attractive – as Copenhagen seems like the sort of place where nobody seems to be rushing anywhere, but everything still gets done.

One of the things I love the most about Copenhagen is that, for a country so heavily steeped in design tradition, it’s architects and designers (and people in general) don’t prance around taking themselves too seriously. No sir. Which is precisely why they are so awesome. Here, design is a truly authentic extension of people’s everyday lives, and the creative professionals are merely the facilitators of this universal truth.

Polite charm, design and beauty aside, this city also has grit and soul that runs much deeper and beyond the obvious. No, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns in this super pretty place (hallelujah!), although one could easily be excused for thinking so from simply scratching the surface. In addition to the significant multicultural community, the omnipresent sense of Danish tradition (this is a country with a Royal Family after all!) has created a stream of designers, chefs, musicians and various makers in pursuit of challenging the conventional. This has resulted in a string of interesting design and art galleries, experimental restaurants, unique shops and various other cooltown venues. For a little city which one can cycle up and down in less than half an hour in each direction, there is so much to see and experience here, which is why I couldn’t resist sharing this post in addition to what I shared only 12 months ago – as well as the overview we gave from our attendance at the inaugural Rising Architecture Week which took us around many different parts of Copenhagen. I hope you find it informative and useful when planning your next trip.

 

Related Post: #YellowtraceTravels: Copenhagen, Denmark.

See all other #YELLOWTRACETRAVELS posts.

 

Copenhagen Denmark, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Copenhagen Denmark, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Copenhagen Denmark, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter where we stayed is a vibrant area with many restaurants, bars, coffee houses and interesting small retail dotted around. Cycling through the streets is the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful colourful facades.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Hotel SP34 Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Hotel SP34 Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Hotel SP34 Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceHotel SP34 Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Hotel SP34 was once again our base for the week. More images and a review from my stay last year can be seen here.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Nyhaven Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Nyhaven Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Nyhavn is a bit of a tragic tourist trap in Copenhagen and for good reason. It’s seriously stunning, particularly just moments after the sun sets.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Muuto Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceMuuto Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

The most exquisite and unexpected stairwell leading up to the Muuto store.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Muuto Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
The beautiful Muuto design store in Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Muuto Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Muuto Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceMuuto Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Muuto store has a fantastic roof garden with lovely vistas of Copenhagen. Thank you gorgeous Nina for taking us up!
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Atelier September Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceDana Tomic Hughes at Atelier September Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Casually hanging out at the amazing Atelier September Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Atelier September Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceAtelier September Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Atelier September has been on my radar since that incredible evening spent at The Apartment for Ilse Crawford’s residency last year. It was wonderful to visit their expanded space and see the business doing so well. The coffee was top notch, and service on point with plenty of spunk. Loved it to bits.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Atelier September Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceAtelier September Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Atelier September, Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Etage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceEtage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Design gallery Etage Projects presented the exhibition of design objects that the Danish artist and maverick FOS created for Céline. Etage Projects combined these works with a series of artworks to present a FOS universe that simultaneously broke the rules and united the traditional elements of interior design.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Etage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceEtage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Also at Etage Project: ‘Voie’ light series and ‘Seeing Glass’ mirrors by Sabine Marcelis, Dutch/ New Zealand designer based in Rotterdam.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Etage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Etage Projects, Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Etage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Next door to Etage is Superobjekt gallery, run by architect Tina Midtgaard who started it as a way to engage with other creatives outside her own profession. The gallery presented the exhibition ‘Realtime’ which invited 7 prominent Danish designers and artists to create a physical comment to what time means to them.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Etage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceEtage Projects Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Superobjekt, Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
The magnificent University of Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have).
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceBotanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceBotanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Dana Tomic Hughes at Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
It was about 400 degrees Celsius with humidity of 120% in this room. I nearly passed out, but it was totally worth it!
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Botanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceBotanical Garden Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Still at the Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have). It’s so beautiful – you have to go there if you’re in town.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Dana Tomic Hughes at home with GamFratesi in Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
This was just too, too exciting! Breakfast and a beautiful morning spent with the gorgeous Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi of GamFratesi at their incredible home in Copenhagen. I will share more about the visit soon!
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

MINDCRAFT Exhibition by GamFratesi in Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
MINDCRAFT15 Exhibition by GamFratesi at the Danish Design Museum in Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

MINDCRAFT Exhibition by GamFratesi in Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceDanish Design Museum Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

MINDCRAFT15 Exhibition by GamFratesi, and beautiful courtyard at the Danish Design Museum.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Nordhavnen Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Scenes from Nordhavnen, Northern industrial area of Copenhagen. Note the signature row of windmills in the distance.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Nordhavnen Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Nordhavnen Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Studio David Thulstrup Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Studio David Thulstrup in Nordhavnen, full of seriously clever and super lovely architects and designers. 
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Studio David Thulstrup Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Details from Studio David Thulstrup. Nick and I were generously treated to a lunch with the whole team around this table. So lovely.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Studio David Thulstrup Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Details from Studio David Thulstrup.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Studio David Thulstrup Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Details from Studio David Thulstrup.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Studio David Thulstrup Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceStudio David Thulstrup Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Creative mess at Studio David Thulstrup. Extreme love!
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

David Thulstrup & Dana Tomic Hughes in Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceDavid Thulstrup & Dana Tomic Hughes in Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

With Mr Thulstrup himself. He is one crazy talented dude. Stay tuned for a more in-depth article about his work next year!
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Grundtvig Church Copenhagen, Photo Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Grundtvig Church Copenhagen, Photo Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Grundtvig Church Copenhagen, Photo Nick Hughes | YellowtraceGrundtvig Church Copenhagen, Photo Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

The magnificent Grundtvig Church that made me cry like a little bitch. In case you missed it, see all the amazing photos here.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Copenhagen | Yellowtrace

Yayoi Kusama at Louisiana Museum Copenhagen | Yellowtrace
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. See previous posts here and here.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Yayoi Kusama at Louisiana Museum Copenhagen | YellowtraceYayoi Kusama at Louisiana Museum Copenhagen | Yellowtrace

Yayoi Kusama’s retrospective at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. See the full post here.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Yayoi Kusama at Louisiana Museum Copenhagen | YellowtraceYayoi Kusama at Louisiana Museum Copenhagen | Yellowtrace

Yayoi Kusama’s retrospective at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. See the full post here.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Yayoi Kusama at Louisiana Museum Copenhagen | Yellowtrace
Yayoi Kusama’s retrospective at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. See the full post here.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Nikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Nikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceNikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Nikolaj Kunsthal (Nikolaj Contemporary Art Centre) occupies the former St. Nicholas Church, one of the city’s most conspicuous landmarks. It is situated on Højbro Plads a few steps away from Amagertorv and Strøget.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Nikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Nikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Nikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceNikolaj Kunsthal Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

If nothing else, the views of central Copenhagen rooftops from Nikolaj Kunsthal are amazing!
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Llama Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Llama Restaurant & Bar Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Llama Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceLlama Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Llama Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Llama Restaurant & Bar Copenhagen is a South American restaurant designed by BIG and Kilo Design, who transformed an unused basement space. Brightly-coloured and patterned ceramic tiles line the walls, floor and stairs and the food was pretty yum.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Spisehuset Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceSpisehuset Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Spisehuset Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Spisehuset Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceSpisehuset Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Spisehuset Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Spisehuset is a new Copenhagen restaurant by a talented and passionate young chef located in an old garage in the meatpacking district. The restaurant serves a fixed price 4 course menu that changes daily as the ingredients are sourced from boutique producers, including organic wine and hand-brewed beer. Seriously top notch and reasonably priced. Quite possibly the best meal we had in Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Hay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceHay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Hay House Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Hay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceHay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Yours truly browsing through the awesome Hay Mini Market. I still can’t believe I walked away empty handed. And how about that stair on the right?
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Hay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceHay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Hay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceHay House Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Hay House Copenhagen. I know I already shared this with you last time, but it’s kind of unmissable, don’t you think? The view of Strøget and Amagertorv with the iconic Stork Fountain in the middle is the quintessential Copenhagen moment. 
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Stilleben Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Stilleben is a completely gorgeous home-wares, art-prints, books and personal items store just off Strøget in Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Stilleben Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Stilleben Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceStilleben Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Upstair at Stilleben Copenhagen.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Royal Smushi Cafe Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceRoyal Smushi Cafe Copenhagen, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Royal Smushi Cafe was a tip off from the guys at Studio David Thulstrup. It’s located in an arcade off Amagertorv (the central square in Copenhagen) so it’s easy to miss it, but once you go through the courtyard you will discover a completely bonkers amazing fairytale-like setting that verges on kitsch – “a happy confusion of design and a sense of humour”. Completely un-Danish and brilliant for that reason alone.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Copenhagen Denmark, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Amagertorv in central Copenhagen with the famous Stork Fountain (Storkespringvandet), a present given to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Louise for their silver wedding anniversary in 1894.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Copenhagen Denmark, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Copenhagen Denmark, Photo  © Nick Hughes | YellowtraceCopenhagen Denmark, Photo  © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace

Amagertorv after the rain. On the right, the awesome Mads Nørgaard store is a Copenhagen institution selling great clothes while sporting a bonkers cooltown interior.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

Nyhaven Copenhagen, Photo © Nick Hughes | Yellowtrace
Ok, just one more from Nyhavn. So beautiful at dusk.
Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.


[All images © Nick Hughes / Yellowtrace.]

 

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