Interview with Kathrine Felland Gunnlögsson (Copenhagen Spotter)

Today we have an interview with Kathrine Felland Gunnlögsson, Spotter for our Copenhagen cityblog.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, I’m 33 and I have been living in Copenhagen since 1995 when I started University. First in Vesterbro (before it was modern and hip), then Østerbro and now Amager where I really love to live. I love all the city has to offer and the fact that I can be on the beach or at the townhall square in about 10 minuts on my bike is just wonderful.

I just started a new job as a communication/webadministrator at Sparta; the largest athletic and running club in Copenhagen. They arrange a lot of running events – the biggest one being the Copenhagen Marathon with 15.000 runners next year. Not being a true runner my self yet this gives me a new way of seing the city – running arround. And so many people in Copenhagen run!

When I’m not working (or running) I’m the proud mother of two very active boys named Alfred and August aged 4 3/4 and 2. My husband Mikkel is a true Amager local, and I now understand why most of them never move away from the island. He plays in a band called Ampel. If you’re ever in Copenhagen when they have a gig – come check them out and say hello!

How do you like being a Spotter? Do you have a nice Spotters-story?
I am very happy to be a spotter and think a lot about the places I want to write about. Some of them I use frequently and others I wish I could use more often. When I was going to write about the cute shop Affär I made an appointment with the very kind owner, Lea, and we had such a nice chat that afternoon. Almost made me feel like a real journalist with my little notebook and camera. She even promised me to give me addresses for great flea markets in Sweden for my next trip. Great fun!

What is a must do when you visiting Copenhagen?
I really think Copenhagen is one of the greatest cities – both to live in and to visit. It’s not not too big and not really small. And I love the old buildings and all the history you experience just walking arround. The best way to see the city is on a bicycle or just walking around. The center is small enough to cover in a day or two and then you have time to see the cooler places like Vesterbro and Nørrebro – not forgetting my favorite Amager.

If I should mention only one must do I would be a tour of the canals. Locals do it too. The ride is about 45 min. and takes you to some ofthe most beautiful places like Christianshavn, Nyhavn and Gammel Strand. Not forgetting the Little Mermaid. And with Netto bådene it’s cheap as well. Only 20 kr.

A great place to see if you’re into modern arcitecture is the newest part of Copenhagen – Ørestad. Take the metro, but get off at Sundby or Bella Center and walk the rest of the way to Vestamager along the bike path on the left side of the tracks. You can see the backside of some of the great modern buildings like VM Mountain Dwellings.

There’s really nothing I would warn against. No big tourist traps as far as I know. But the big shopping street, Strøget, really isn’t all that. Take the smaller streets that go along instead. Much better atmosphere!

Can you describe a perfect day in your city?
A perfect day for me would first of all include a lot of coffee! I must have my coffee! So I would start of with breakfast, coffee and a view of the canal at Lagkagehuset in Christianshavn. Then I would walk across Knippelsbro and into town. I really like just walking around and take photos of whatever I see. At Mormors in Bredgade I would stop for a sandwich and the very Danish bisquit cake – and coffee!

Then I would enjoy the view from Marmorkirken of Amalienborg and the Opera. In the afternoon I would go to Vesterbro and browse some of the cool shops in Istedgade and maybe have an ice coffee at Bang & Jensen before doing some shopping at Designer Zoo#mce_temp_url#.

If I was with my family I would return to Amager and enjoy an old school dinner at Sundby Sejl, but if I was out on the town – and maybe enjoying a Friday Night – I would go to Soupanatural for soup and drinks and maybe a movie at Empire. And maybe on the way home stop by Din Nye Ven for one last beer and a feel good end to a wonderful day!

Is there something else you want to share?
If you have a lot of time when you are visiting Copenhagen take time to go outside the city and visit places like Dragør. An old fishing village with beautiful yellow houses. Valby (almost a suburb not far from Vesterbro) is also a nice place to visit. A lot of families live here, nice cafes and shops. Come see how the average Dane live!

It’s also a very short trip by train to to to the very cosy Swedish town of Malmø. A lot of danes go to Malmø at the moment, because of the low Swedish currency. Great bargains!

Read all of Kathrine’s articles here.

Check out the other interviews with our Spotters.