Here we go again - more stuff to do in your favourite Nordic Capital. Every time we set a check mark, several new things find their way into our to-do lists. It’s a beautiful thing.  

It's definitely autumn now; there is no denying it. It's time to start the annual Danish morning ritual: You grab an umbrella on the way out of the door, but it's not guaranteed that you need it. It's just nice to have if the weather starts dictating. 😉☂️ But let's get into it.

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We don't want to say "we told you so" - but we told you so! There is plenty of things to see, do, experience and taste, so let's dive in.

If you've seen the Danish crime series on Netflix, The Chestnut Man, the thought of a chestnut man might send shivers down your spine. Nevertheless, chestnut hunting is quite popular in Denmark, and the true epitome of autumn hygge, is to fill a bag with chestnuts and then create all sorts of chestnut creatures.

Chestnuts can be used for so much more than making animals and scaring the life out of people, and there are countless guides on how to use them for everything from decorations to washing powder. Really, the only limit is your imagination. Just don't eat them. The ones you use for creature building are not edible.

Big chestnut trees can be found in many places around Copenhagen, and we've created a route with our favourite places to collect chestnuts. The route takes you around most of Copenhagen and can be done in a couple of hours. No-one says you MUST go past all the stops. But if you do, you're guaranteed a bag full of chestnuts.

On the route you will pass beautiful places such as Karens Minde Kulturhus in Sydhavnen and J.C. Jacobsens Have in Carlsberg City. If you're lucky, you'll find the popular edible chestnuts in Søndermarken, but make sure you wash and clean them thoroughly. Dog walking, you know!

It's no secret that autumn calls for a museum visit. At Statens Museum for Kunst (the National Gallery of Denmark), you can leave with a little more than just a museum experience. Around the museum, you will find craft workshops where you can explore and experiment with art. Here, creativity rules the day.

But what can you really expect from visiting one of the museum's craft workshops? And what do you get from being able to be creative in a museum? We met up with SMK's workshop manager Michael Hansen to learn more about these questions.

Photo: Joakim Züger

Let's start with you telling us a little about yourself. Who are you and what is your role here at SMK?

My name is Michael Hansen and I'm in charge of the workshops. We have three large workshops, a smaller workshop, and then we have pop-up workshops around the museum. It's more or less my job to make sure that the content of the workshops is something that our younger and older visitors find interesting.

What can you expect from a visit to one of SMK's workshops?

Well, I hope that we can always surprise you. Both with the range of materials, but also about the results that can come out of it. I roam around in our waste room and find all sorts of things. Old cardboard boxes, foam, nails and rivets. I find all sorts of things that you might as well use for something. So that's really what you can always expect; to be surprised. I take great pride in that.

I'm a little curious about what kind of experience you get when you're allowed to be creative in a museum?

It's that good old-fashioned hand and spirit experience. First you meet the spirit up in the collection in front of a work of art, where you get some thoughts sparked, or even get to put some words to the artwork. In the workshops, the idea is to make a non-verbal comment on what you have seen. You can make something in clay, paint pictures, glue something together or something like that, which is actually a comment on what you've seen. It's a way of giving a physical reminder of the experience you've had with art.

What value does it have for children to express themselves creatively?

We have this world we live in, which is filled with all kinds of trials and tribulations that you must learn to solve. And you can learn that, in my opinion, by doing something creative, where you can go in many different directions. We have too many activities in our lives that are geared towards you having a certain outcome. I think it's good for the mind and is, in my opinion, hugely necessary for children and for adults, to do something once in a while that's not geared towards any particular outcome and you can do whatever you want.

How does a perfect autumn day in Copenhagen look like to you?

My days are incredibly hectic, so I think my optimal autumn day is to be out in nature. It's not that I rarely experience nature, but I rarely have time for it. Walking along the beach is probably one of my favorite things to do. But it can also be just spending time in my allotment garden doing something practical. But just being out in nature.

Do you have a secret Copenhagen gem you want to share with our readers?

I think it's this little pond behind the museum, which is part of Østre Anlæg. I know there are probably many others who also see it, but I see it every day, all year round. And I see exactly how the colours and life in and around the pond change. I've seen it every single day for 25 years now, so this part of Østre Anlæg is close to my heart in some way.

In the idyllic, beautiful, and historic neighbourhood of Nyboder, Frama Studio Store is located in the old St. Paul's Apothek, whose interiors date back to 1878. Frama operates in various creative fields and produces beautiful designs in furniture, lighting, kitchens, books, and clothing.

Frama's designs are characterised by a strong focus on natural materials, quality and simple geometry. The design can be described as timeless, modern and simple, while being eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing, which therefore contrasts beautifully with the interiors of the old pharmacy. The thought behind the design is that Frama seeks to bridge the gap between the classic and the modern. That makes a visit to the store an interesting design experience.

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Should you get hungry during a visit to Frama, you don't have to leave the aesthetically beautiful surroundings to munch on various delicacies or enjoy a cup of freshly brewed quality coffee. In the center of the store, you'll find the café Apotek 57.

If you're interested in visiting more Danish designer stores, take a look at our guide to interior design stores with Danish design and go for it.

Copenhagen is packed with unique and independent small workshops that design and make their own products. We have selected 3 cool places in the city that make their own ceramics, jewellery and hats. Best of all, if any of this catches your eye, you can always pay a visit to the workshop in question and get an insight into the design and production process.

Studio Arhoj

Danish ceramics studio Studio Arhoj is one of these places and the workshop is open so you can see the beautiful ceramics being created before your eyes. Arhoj explores the visual relationship between Scandinavian and Japanese design traditions and is interested in keeping the traditions and knowledge of old methods alive.

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Malene Glintborg

On the hip street Jægersborggade, you'll find jewellery retailer Malene Glintborg. Here, unique jewellery is designed and handmade. You can also check out the jewellery and designs on Malene Glintborg's Instagram.

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Wilgart

Respect for traditional craftsmanship is the common denominator in everything that goes on at Wilgart. Here, they make and design handmade and unique hats. Their designs are original and make custom headgear accessible to anyone with a love of good craftsmanship. Visit Wilgart if you need not just any hat but one that tells a story and has true emotional value.

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen

The chilly weather is slowly making its way to Copenhagen, so let's warm up with some good Italian food.

In the former home of Michelin-starred Relæ, Topicàl offers a unique dining experience inspired by the southern European flavour combinations that warm the body from within. The place is run by Napoli-Italian chef Davide Laudato, who creates innovative interpretations of dishes from his home region, but with great respect for the tradition behind them.

Photo: PR Topicál

That's it for this issue, but well be back sooner than you expect (well maybe just as you expect actually), with more Copenhagen insights, good tips and so on.

If you can't wait untill the next delivery to your inbox, be sure to check out visitcopenhagen.com for much more inspiration. Or you should follow us on Instagram @visitcopenhagen.

We're excited for next time. You know there is a speacial season coming up, and it has to do with all sorts of traditions, special food and drink and loads of hygge.

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, Julie Horn and Christina Daubjerg Newman.

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