We hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas, a happy New Year, and feel ready for another year filled with cosy fun, and memorable moments in Copenhagen.

This edition of Copenhagen Unfolded is written by Emilie, who is part of the Visit Copenhagen editorial team. January marks the end of her first semester in her Master’s program in Communication. This means she will enjoy a well-deserved break from her studies, which she plans to spend exploring everything Copenhagen has to offer during this cold winter month.

In my opinion, the winter months in the city are some of the cosiest. The cold weather that nips at your nose and reddens your cheeks, the short days, and the winter darkness bring us closer together and make us appreciate light, warmth, and comforting moments – which is exactly why Copenhagen feels warmest when it’s cold! Here’s what we have on the program:

• Winter bathing: Newbie to expert
• Feel the warmth of communal dining
• Join us on a coffee and culture walk
• January's specials

If you can't get enough of our recommendations for Copenhagen, you can always check out our Instagram or visitcopenhagen.com

My lovely mom has been trying for years to persuade me to join her for winter bathing. So far, I’ve mostly acted as the towel holder, because the icy plunge has always scared me. But this year, I want to take part in the extremely popular and endlessly warmth – that is, the soulful and community-driven warmth – winter bathing culture. I’ll share three suggestions for places where you can challenge your cold tolerance, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced winter swimmer.

Photo: Mark Tanggaard

I will start my winter bathing journey at Sofiebadet, an intimate bathhouse in Christianshavn. It feels like the perfect place to begin, as you can practice in their cold water tubs – and after braving the chill, you can treat yourself to a spa treatment and a session in the sauna. Win-win!

If you’re an experienced winter swimmer, my sources recommend a visit to La Banchina. Here, you can take a refreshing dip in the harbour, warm up in the sauna, and relax in the café with something delicious to eat or drink afterwards.

If you’re a true hardcore, experienced winter swimmer, Islands Brygge Harbour Bath is the place for you. Here, you can dive straight into the icy harbor waters and experience winter swimming in its most raw form. Many seasoned winter swimmers gather here to enjoy the familiar bathing ritual together.

Communal dining has become a well-known phenomenon in Copenhagen, and if you haven’t tried it yet, I can definitely recommend it – at these events, you really feel the warmth of the community. The concept is based on a simple idea; a meal tastes best when it is shared!

I can recommend trying the communal dining at Hotel Hornbækhus, which is set in scenic surroundings just outside Copenhagen. Hotel Hornbækhus really manages to create a warm and inviting space for socializing, with their communal dinners taking place every day from 7 p.m.

I can also recommend a visit to Nørrebrohallen, where Send Flere Krydderier (meaning: send more spices) serves delicious food for communal dining every evening from Monday to Thursday. Here, you’ll not only get to enjoy incredible food in great company, but you also support Send Flere Krydderier’s work in creating jobs and inclusive work communities for ethnic minority residents.

In my opinion, one of the most tranquil things to do during the winter months is to take a long walk with people I love, and Copenhagen is the perfect place for just that! The city is full of beautiful parks, many of which are conveniently located near great cafés and exciting art and cultural experiences. I’ve planned a little day trip with my boyfriend, who also finishes his exams in January. We use trips like this to unwind, and I hope you’ll feel inspired to do the same – whether it’s after a long exam period, a busy Christmas, or something else.

Photo: Mark Tanggaard

We start the day with a quick stop at the welcoming café Lille Petra, where we pick up a warm, fragrant cup of coffee for the walk. The café is located right next to the King’s Garden, which we stroll through, enjoying the historic atmosphere of the old park on our way to the next beautiful stop: Østre Anlæg. This green area is particularly charming, as it was built on what used to be part of Copenhagen’s old city ramparts. Here, winding paths meander between tranquil ponds and ancient trees, which we take our time exploring.

After getting a good dose of fresh air, we continue our journey to SMK – the National Gallery of Denmark. We start with a delicious lunch at the museum’s café, Magnolia, before venturing into the world of art. If you visit SMK before January 11th, you can still catch their current special exhibition, Surrealism on Paper – I’ve seen it myself, and I can highly recommend it! If you don’t manage to see the special exhibition, there’s no need to worry, because SMK’s permanent collections are worth a visit as well.

And you should definitely keep an eye on out new Copenhagen Winter Sessions calendar, which is steadily being populated by events spanning from social dinners in private homes, to chilling outdoor adventures and nordic wellnes experiences. More on that later this month.

I’m totally ready for a calm and cosy start to the year! I hope my plans for January can inspire you to get out and enjoy the special warmth that Copenhagen offers during the cold winter months.

But remember, these are just my recommendations. At the editorial office, we're just as interested in hearing yours, so please let us know if there's anything you feel that we've missed.

We’ll be back in a month with much more on all the best of Copenhagen. 

Copenhagen Unfolded is published by VisitCopenhagen. Our goal is to tell the world about Copenhagen and the great experiences that are to be had here. This issue of Copenhagen Unfolded is put together by Kasper Syhler, Christina Daubjerg Newman, Emil Kristensen, Andrea Lundgaard & Emilie Bødker.

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