Stopover Archives

Stopover in Copenhagen: A Design-Lover’s Guide to Denmark’s Creative Capital

December 16, 2025

Where to eat, stay and explore in the UNESCO Architecture Capital of the World.

By Phil Birnbaum

From the moment you land, Copenhagen’s devotion to design is on full display. Even the airport is outfitted with iconic pieces like Hans J. Wegner’s Airport Chair and Thomas Kastholm’s Daybed. From there, a quick 20-minute train ride gets you to Kongens Nytorv, the city centre, where colourful townhouses, cafés and restaurants line the postcard-perfect Nyhavn harbour. Whether you visit during the city’s annual 3daysofdesign festival (June 10-12, 2026) or any other time of year, Copenhagen’s effortless blend of culture, cuisine and creativity makes it a destination worth lingering in.

Where to Eat

Design influences every detail of Copenhagen’s dining scene, from the interiors to the plating. Start your morning at Andersen & Maillard, known for its flaky cheese buns (a staple) and expertly roasted coffee. For a stylish lunch, head to The Roe Bar at the Louise Roe Gallery, where the Danish designer’s furniture and tableware surround you as part of the experience.

For something casual but iconic, Gasoline Grill—which began in a former petrol station—serves one of the city’s best burgers across several sleek, design-forward locations. As night falls, Ruby is the place for cocktails, set inside a 19th-century townhouse on Nybrogade, blending old-world charm with new Nordic flair.

What to Do

Just an hour north of the city, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a must for art and architecture lovers, with modernist galleries and sculpture gardens overlooking the Øresund coast. Back in town, Designmuseum Danmark traces the evolution of Danish Modernism, with exhibits featuring nearly 100 classic chairs by legends like Hans J. Wegner, Nanna Ditzel, Finn Juhl and Cecilie Manz. Refuel with coffee and a pastry on the café’s garden patio

For a dose of urban innovation, rent a bike and ride to CopenHill, a waste-to-energy plant turned year-round ski slope designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. It’s a perfect expression of Copenhagen’s sustainable spirit.

Where to Shop

Begin at Louis Poulsen’s flagship store in Kuglegården to see the brand’s renowned lighting designs—the PH, Artichoke and Panthella among them—and pick up a portable Rumee Lamp by Gabriel Tan to take home. Then browse Illums Bolighus, a multi-level department store filled with Scandinavian furniture, fashion and décor, housed in a landmark 1941 building.

Before you leave, pick up a Hoptimist, Hans Gustav Ehrenreich’s cheerful spring-figure toy, available in a rainbow of colours—a playful emblem of Danish joy.

Where to Stay

In Nordhavn, Audo House brings together design, hospitality and community under one roof. The 10-room boutique hotel, housed in a restored heritage building, is also home to a concept shop and café by the Danish furniture brand Audo, making it a hub for design enthusiasts.

For a central stay, Hotel Petra, which opened in partnership with &Tradition, features 40 rooms furnished entirely with the brand’s contemporary pieces. The inviting Petra Bar & Restaurant off the lobby serves as both neighbourhood café and stylish gathering place for coffee, lunch or a nightcap.

Stopover in Iceland

October 20, 2025

Editor-approved spots for a quick trip to the land of fire and ice.

With black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls and geothermal pools, Iceland is one of the few destinations where nature still feels raw and untamed. An ideal short trip blends culture and wilderness: spend a night or two in Reykjavík, browse markets and design shops, savour inventive Nordic cuisine, and venture out for experiences that range from the iconic to the quietly off-the-radar.

Where to Eat

Dill, Reykjavík’s pioneering modern-Nordic restaurant, was the first in Iceland to earn a Michelin star in 2017, regaining it in 2020 along with a Green Michelin Star for its sustainability practices. It champions seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and techniques rooted in Iceland’s foraging and preserving traditions. Book well in advance.

For something more laid-back but equally creative, Skál! began as a stall in Reykjavík’s Hlemmur Mathöll food hall and has since evolved into a convivial wine-bar-bistro. The frequently changing menu leans on local produce, pickling and fermenting, complemented by a strong natural-wine list and craft cocktails.

Natural Attractions

The Blue Lagoon (pictured) is Iceland’s most famous spa for good reason: its opaque, mineral-rich waters hover around 39 °C year-round, and its location between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík makes it an easy stop before or after a flight.

On the Golden Circle route, Friðheimar Farm showcases Icelandic ingenuity — its geothermally heated greenhouses produce tomatoes year-round despite the short growing season. Guests can tour the greenhouse, learn about sustainable farming and enjoy lunch among the vines.

For a less-visited wonder, head east to Stuðlagil Canyon, where turquoise glacial water flows between towering basalt columns. The canyon emerged only in recent years after a hydroelectric project lowered water levels, revealing the dramatic formations. Remote but rewarding, the views from the east bank are worth the trip.

Where to Shop

Kolaportið Flea Market, Reykjavík’s largest and most famous, is open on weekends near the Old Harbour. Stalls sell vintage clothing, records, books, antiques, handmade crafts and local delicacies like dried fish. It’s one of the few places in the city where bargaining is still part of the experience.

For a distinctive souvenir, visit Fischersund, a family-run perfumery founded by the lead singer of Sigur Rós. The downtown shop has the feel of an apothecary, with hand-blended perfumes inspired by Icelandic nature and often made with sustainably harvested botanicals. Scented candles and art pieces round out the collection.

Where to Stay

Opened on the Old Harbour beside Harpa Concert Hall, The Reykjavík EDITION is a luxury stay that pairs clean-lined Nordic design with warm lighting and curated artwork. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame harbour and mountain views, while multiple dining venues, a rooftop bar and a spa with a hammam make it tempting to linger — even though you’re just steps from the city’s best galleries, cafés and nightlife.

If you have more time, Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll is a destination in itself. Opened in 2023, this remote highland lodge is about four hours from Reykjavík, surrounded by rust-toned rhyolite mountains and geothermal hot springs. Accommodation ranges from hotel rooms to cabins and A-frame huts, all connected to the main lodge, which houses a restaurant serving hearty Icelandic fare.