Copenhagen Shopping Guide

I've just returned from a great trip to Copenhagen with my boyfriend! We thought us Dutchies were used to cold weather but we were not ready for what we experienced in Denmark :) The biting cold wind hits your throat and makes you tear up so bad that your mascara and eyeliner is located somewhere on your cheeks and chin in no time ;) I chatted with a lovely woman in a cafe and she even apologized for the weather :) I loved how easy it was to spot the tourists, even without obvious signs like 'I Love Copenhagen'-shirts. The locals were obviously not impressed with the weather and weren't as packed up in scarves and gloves like us visitors ;) 

The good thing is that we had a great excuse to spend a lot of time inside, and Copenhagen just happens to be a great place for cups of tea in lovely cafes, a movie in one of the large cinema's and of course... design shopping! :) If this is your main reason for visiting this beautiful city, make sure to check the opening hours in advance (like I did) because a lot of shops close extremely early (15.00 on saturdays). Sundays most shops are closed, but we went to the Swedish city Malmö that day, crossing the famous Øresund Bridge that stars so prominently in the tv-series Bron/Broen :)

SHOPPING GUIDE

Playtype Store 

Værnedamsvej 6 

I'm a sucker for typography so I had to pay a visit to the Playtype store. I love the G poster (that's unfortunately a little too big for my home) and the typographic mugs (I got myself a letter E from the bold type). I was surprised to see how small the store was though! The Design Delicatessen and Designer Zoo stores are located close by, but we just made it in time for this store, closing time wise ;) 

Hay House 

Østergade 61 (2nd and 3rd floor!)

I could have stayed here for hours ;) As you may have noticed from earlier posts, this is my favourite modern design brand. Luckily we always travel light and only brought our small trolley suitcases so I wasn't able to go crazy :) I got myself the All The Way to Paris Twin Blocks that I've wanted for so long!

Normann Copenhagen Flagship Store

Østerbrogade 70

The Normann CPH store was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We almost didn't go there because it's located quite far from the city centre (turns out it's just a 5 minute subway ride from the main train station and a 5 minute walk from there). It's located in the chic Østerbro district in a building that used to be a cinema. The building is incredibly light and spacious, which really highlights all the beautiful design. It was actually prettier than shown on the photos below. I didn't bring my camera because while I did want to make some photos for my blog, I didn't want to be one of those tourists who experience their trip when they see the photo's when they're back home ;) So these were made with my iPhone5.

In the basement there was an outlet, where I bought some great items that are still being sold in Dutch stores for the full amount! Make sure to get a great customized hamburger afterwards across the street at Halifax! :) It had just started snowing really bad so we were happy to spot a great place so close by!

Royal Smushi Cafe

Amagertorv 6

This nice cafe is located basically next to the beautiful Illums Bolighus. It's a little hidden; you have to enter a little alley to reach the entrance. There's a lot of pink inside (in a nice way) and you get to sit on white Arne Jacobsen Ant Chairs. The Smushi's, sushi sized Smørrebrød that Denmark is famous for, are really great. Especially the one that I ordered, the one with salmon tartare :)

Danish Design Center

H. C. Andersens Boulevard 27

Just go to this place to get a cup of coffee. This design center used to have an exhibition space and in the past they asked admission, but now the second floor is used as office space. A sign on the door says to feel free to look around, but I wasn't completely comfortable to bother these people while they were working on a monday morning ;) The cafe is great though, with furniture by Danish brands Gubi and Normann Copenhagen. In the cloakroam we found the Series 7 and Tongue chair by Arne Jacobsen and beautiful Poul Henningsen Lamps.

Stilleben and Illums Bolighus

Niels Hemmingsens Gade 3 and Amagertorv 10

These stores are also fantastic. Illums Bolighus is like a Danish Design Museum. It's all there: the Kristian Vedel Birds, the Kay Bojesen Monkey, Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen Chairs, design by Verner Panton, Georg Jensen, By Lassen.... I was so impressed that I actually forgot to take pictures :) Stilleben is just around the corner and has beautiful graphic prints! They also sell Playtype items. Make sure to pay a visit to these two stores if you get a chance!

I bought (and got) way too many things.. :) Next time I'm in this beautiful city, under sunnier circumstances, I'll also make sure to visit Tivoli (which was closed now), the Little Mermaid, beautiful Christianshavn, the open air cinema and all the green parks! By the way: our hotel, the Danhostel City was furbished with furniture by Danish design brand Gubi!