Issue 20. * March 22nd, 2023 

Spring is getting closer and closer, and the city is changing with the season. As usual, we’re happy to point you toward some of the nice, not only beaten, paths to take in Copenhagen to get a great experience from your visit.

Spring is a very pleasant season wherever you are, but in some places (like Copenhagen), the city really changes with each individual season. So to give you a sense of the atmosphere and what you can experience during your spring visit, we won’t hesitate to talk about the outdoors, city exploration, and eating under the open sky. Of course, we can’t help ourselves from mentioning one of the super interesting art exhibitions in town.

• Get Pink in the Spring in Copenhagen
• Spring Fling in Copenhagen: Get Your Museum Fix in the Parkmuseerne District
• Reffen: Satisfying Street Food and Fabulous Atmosphere 
• 360-Degree Bliss: Rooftop Escape with a Spectacular View
• Copenhagen in Bloom 

👞🕶️🚨

Walking shoes on  ✅
Sunglasses on  ✅
Curious exploration mode on  ✅
Let’s get going, then.

GET PINK THIS SPRING IN COPENHAGEN

Maybe you already know about the cherry blossom trees or Sakura trees, that come to life during spring with beautiful pink and white flowers. We actually have quite a few of these trees here in Copenhagen. The most popular place to see the pink flowers is at Bispebjerg cemetery. Here there is a beautiful lane filled with Sakura trees all the way, but it can get a little crowded with people who want a picture with the flowers.

But Bispebjerg is not the only place to see the pink trees. There are a lot of alternative places around Copenhagen that turn pink in April. We have made a biking guide to some of these places, for you to explore. Hop on a bike and visit all of these magical pinks places, the route is not longer than you can ride it in one day, with plenty of time to take pictures too. 

Foto: Daniel Rasmussen

The first place we would like to mention is The Kings Garden, a popular park where many young locals come to hang out with friends. Langelinie park is also an option for pink trees and is where the yearly Sakura Festival takes place. 

Assistens Cemetery, Sønder Boulevard, Superkilen and Hostrups Garden are the rest of the places where you can see the pink trees. And Hostrups Garden is a bit of a hidden one, not many people know about. You can see all of the places here on this map. Now you just need to find a bike and wait for the trees to blossom. Which is usually around the end of April. 

SPRING FLING IN COPENHAGEN: GET YOUR MUSEUM FIX AT THE PARKMUSEERNE DISTRICT

Spring has sprung, and the museums in Copenhagen are blossoming with excitement just for you. 

Get ready to experience a unique adventure at Parkmuseerne, the city’s green museum district, where you’ll be spoiled for choice with six prominent museums nestled within three beautiful gardens and parks.

Marvel at the crown jewels at Rosenborg Castle, explore rare plants and meteorites at Natural History Museum of Denmark or dive into the fascinating history of the working-class movement at The Workers Museum. Art lovers can also indulge themselves at The David Collection or The National Gallery of Denmark, currently hosting the most extensive exhibition in a hundred years featuring the extraordinary Danish artist Carl Bloch. 

But there’s more! You’ll also get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the three stunning gardens and parks: The King's Garden, the Botanical Garden, and the Østre Anlæg park, where you can soak in the first rays of sun. You'll find everything you need to know on their website. 

REFFEN: SATISFYING STREET FOOD AND FABULOUS ATMOSPHERE

Reffen is a kind of unique street food market located in a newer developed neighbourhood called Refshaleøen. Well, Refshaleøen has been there the whole time. Still, in recent years the area has evolved from being a place that historically housed one of the world’s biggest shipyards into housing Michelin restaurants, urban gardens, top-tier bakeries, a ski slope, and much much more. 

Opened in 2018, Reffen quickly became an institution for excellent street food and good vibes. Built mainly from repurposed shipping containers close to the waterfront, Reffen achieves a distinct connection to the area’s maritime past. 

People come here for the food, the atmosphere, the temporary architecture, the upcycling, the people and the sunset, which is one of the best in Copenhagen due to its waterfront location. 

We popped by the other day to take a few moments out of Spiros Loukopoulos, Reffen's Operations Manager, busy schedule to have a chat about Reffen, Refshaleøen and a few things in between.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at Reffen.

My name is Spiros, I’m 37 years old, and I was born and raised in Greece, in a small little town called Patras. I’ve been living in Denmark for the last eight and a half years. I came with my girlfriend, Nena, for a two-week vacation, and we just stayed. Practically I have a double role at Reffen. The first part is Operations Manager, and it all has to do with, let’s say, the infrastructure, the building, the technical issues, warehouse logistics, cleaning, trash handling, safety, and all the practical things. 

And I’m responsible for the design, the creative part, developing, and evolving Reffen. This is, of course, possible with close contact and collaboration with the owner, the Director, the building team and last but not least, Steffen, my close colleague. We spent more time with each other compared to our families. 

What can you expect if you visit Reffen for the first time?

A vibrant, creative and everyday festival atmosphere. A place where you can find food, drinks, obviously, and music for all people to enjoy. There’s so much different food to choose from. Very eclectic. There is around 35 different kitchens from 17 different countries. Its beauty is that it’s so close to a major city and a big capital in Europe. So, it can be a good break from a daily routine just next door. You can enjoy this spectacular view across the canal. We believe that it is one of the most beautiful views of a sunset you can have in Copenhagen. Not many places in the city have this kind of view. 

If you're visiting Refshaleøen, what are the "can't miss experiences" besides Reffen?

It’s one of the most interesting areas in Copenhagen. And the way it’s developing slowly shows us that it can be even more interesting for Copenhageners and foreigners visiting the city. Apart from Reffen, the area is very cool and very alive. For example, this island, and the things that it has to offer, are many, like a high-end Michelin star restaurant, a museum or art centre of contemporary art, a local bakery and an eco-friendly farm. So, there are totally different things that you can do here. The island hosts two of the biggest events and festivals in the summer, CopenHell and Distortion.

How would you describe the perfect day here in Copenhagen?

Personally, I suggest a walk on a Sunday. Start with a nice warm coffee at La Banchina, flat white or Americano, you know. It's a really nice and small, cosy place, with really good coffee and, I believe, good lunch or brunch or whatever, and it also has a beautiful view in the morning, with the silence and the calm water. You can continue with a nice fresh lunch at Lille Bakery. And maybe you can have a little sweet treat for yourself. Then I would say a good option is Copenhagen Contemporary. They always have really good exhibitions of artists from all over the world. 

Do you have a hidden gem in Copenhagen you would like to share with us?

I would definitely be happy if I knew about Reffen if I was a first-time visitor to Copenhagen because Reffen adds identity to the city. 
I think it's a super cool question because hidden gems are something that really can inspire people. Copenhagen without Refshaleøen is another city.

360-DEGREE BLISS: A ROOFTOP ESCAPE WITH A SPECTACULAR VIEW 

We are starting to feel the spring vibe in Copenhagen, and the patio season has officially begun. Copenhagen is a city full of possibilities, so of course, there is a way to get the patio bliss- even if you don’t have a patio.

On top of Hotel Ottilia in Vesterbro you'll find the Italian gem TRAMONTO Rooftop & Bar, which combines Italian cuisine with a stunning rooftop terrace and a breathtaking 360-degree view of the iconic Carlsberg City.

Carlsberg City is named after the famous danish Carlsberg’s beer, which was brewed on the premises from 1847 - 2008 before the production was moved to Jutland. Now the area is undergoing an interesting transformation from an industry to a residential, cultural and climate-focused neighbourhood. The charm of the old industry brewery days can be seen in the development combined with a unique combination of green, recreational areas and a neighbourhood with a vibrant urban life.

Foto: Hotel Ottilia

On the rooftop terrace you can enjoy the sun on your face by the hop garden (referring to the brewery days) and snuggle up by the outdoor fireplace with a drink, or you can choose a table indoor in the cozy restaurant. Either way you are guaranteed a unique view of one of Copenhagen's unique neighborhoods.

Get inspired for more exciting gastronomic experiences located at hotels in Copenhagen with our guide.

COPENHAGEN IN BLOOM

Copenhagen truly is a green city, with parks, gardens and nature areas all over. And spring is one of the best times of the year to experience these outdoor oases. Everything comes to life with beautiful flowers, green leaves on the trees and of course the pink wave rushing over the city at the end of April. 

But it's not only nature that comes to life in spring. As soon as the temperature rises and the sun starts to peak out, the local Copenhageners also come out of their winter hibernation to soak up all the sunshine and walk in the freshly green parks and gardens.

We already mention some of the places to experience the green side of Copenhagen, like The King's Garden and Assistens Cemetery. But let's check out some of the parks you definitely wouldn't want to miss. Like Fælledparken, the largest park in Copenhagen, or Frederiksberg Garden, the former Royal Garden with cosy waterways, old tall trees and a view into Copenhagen Zoo. You can also take a look at our guide to the best parks and gardens in Copenhagen. 

OVER AND OUT

You can't go wrong. Everything is nice in the spring, whether you're into exploring the urban nature, food scene, art scene or any other scene. Just let the city (and us) guide you.

We'll be back in a month with more Copenhagen insights. Make sure to follow us on Social Media as well. Links below.

Kasper, Copenhagen Unfolded

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. Be sure to also check out www.visitcopenhagen.com and our social channels.

This issue of Copenhagen Unfolded is put together by Kasper Syhler, Frederik Ibsing, Clara Fuglsang Søgaard, Julie Horn and Andrea Sonne.

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