Copenhagen: Europe’s new capital of cool

By Helen Russell, CNN
7 minute read
Published 6:00 AM EST, Tue December 14, 2021
<strong>Copenhagen:</strong> The Danish capital is having a moment. It's been declared home to 2021's two <a href="https://cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-50-best-restaurants-2021/index.html" target="_blank">best restaurants</a> and <a href="https://cnn.com/travel/article/time-out-coolest-neighborhoods-2021/index.html" target="_blank">coolest neighborhood</a>.
Copenhagen: The Danish capital is having a moment. It's been declared home to 2021's two best restaurants and coolest neighborhood.
Wonderful Copenhagen
<strong>The food: </strong>Chef Matthew Orlando's sustainable restaurant <a href="https://amassrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Amass</a> is in Refshaleøen, a part of the city that used to be closed off for military use. Dishes are created using organic produce pulled from the garden outside the dining room window.
The food: Chef Matthew Orlando's sustainable restaurant Amass is in Refshaleøen, a part of the city that used to be closed off for military use. Dishes are created using organic produce pulled from the garden outside the dining room window.
Cory Smith
<strong>The vibe:</strong> Instead of the glass and steel skyscrapers found in many capitals, Copenhagen is dominated by four to six-story buildings, with new and old rubbing shoulders.
The vibe: Instead of the glass and steel skyscrapers found in many capitals, Copenhagen is dominated by four to six-story buildings, with new and old rubbing shoulders.
Daniel Rasmussen
<strong>The experiences: </strong>You're never far from water in Copenhagen and <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/islands-brygge-harbour-bath-gdk482346" target="_blank" target="_blank">Islands Brygge Harbor Bath</a> in the center offers a view of the city's skyline while you swim.
The experiences: You're never far from water in Copenhagen and Islands Brygge Harbor Bath in the center offers a view of the city's skyline while you swim.
Wonderful Copenhagen
<strong>The stay:</strong> Sleep in five-starred luxury at the city's newest high-end hotel, <a href="https://villacopenhagen.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Villa Copenhagen</a>, complete with rooftop pool and situated just next to Copenhagen Central Station in a stately building that was once the Post Office headquarters.
The stay: Sleep in five-starred luxury at the city's newest high-end hotel, Villa Copenhagen, complete with rooftop pool and situated just next to Copenhagen Central Station in a stately building that was once the Post Office headquarters.
Daniel Rasmussen
<strong>Other options:</strong> The five-star <a href="https://guldsmedenhotels.com/manon-les-suites/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Manon Les Suites</a> deserves a mention for its bohemian interiors and lush Bali-inspired indoor pool you will never want to leave.
Other options: The five-star Manon Les Suites deserves a mention for its bohemian interiors and lush Bali-inspired indoor pool you will never want to leave.
Daniel Rasmussen
<strong>Colorful character:</strong> Copenhagen is a mini-break from modern life. It's more relaxed than other cities and more human in character and scale.
Colorful character: Copenhagen is a mini-break from modern life. It's more relaxed than other cities and more human in character and scale.
Daniel Rasmussen
<strong>Get active: </strong>Cycle Copenhagen's much-loved <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.dk/koebenhavn/planlaeg-din-tur/cykelslangen-gdk1087414" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cykelslangen "Bicycle Snake"</a> on a scenic ride above the harbor basin or see Bjarke Ingels's best local creations on a <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/architectural-big-bike-tour" target="_blank" target="_blank">22-kilometer bike tour</a>.
Get active: Cycle Copenhagen's much-loved Cykelslangen "Bicycle Snake" on a scenic ride above the harbor basin or see Bjarke Ingels's best local creations on a 22-kilometer bike tour.
Daniel Rasmussen
A tour around cool Copenhagen
CNN  — 

Brightly colored buildings contrast with pale Scandinavian stone, locals bike along cobbled streets and the sun bounces off the water that slices the city.

Welcome to Copenhagen. A big city of 1.3 million in a small country of just 5.6 millio