Festivals & events – All our local tips

I just found out that in Melbourne they call bike lanes Copenhagen Lanes and if you ever have been in Copenhagen you’ll know why. We do looove our bikes! And at Bymuseet (The Museum of Copenhagen) you can see a special exhibition on the bicycle culture of Copenhagen. It presents the history of bicycle tradition as well as our local favorites like the Long John and Christiania bikes. It explores the biking habits of Copenhageners and focuses on bicycles in literature, art and music. I mean – almost every Dane know the children song “Jeg er så glad for min cykel” (I’m so fond of my bike).

And I must admit I haven’t seen the exhibition myself yet – but it is on my December to-do list – and I will bring my kids. Because you can also see an exhibition made by the super talented Shane Bronx who can make wonderful things from – well, junk. He’s doing a show for children on tv, has written books and has taught loads of Danish kids that junk can be turned into treasures just by using your imagination – and a glue gun!

So come to the museum for a look into the lives of Danish people. Big and small.

To get a view of the way we ride our bikes in fair Copenhagen go to the very cool site Copenhagen cycle chic.

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Bymuseet | Art & culture, Festivals & events | Adults DKK 20
Vesterbrogade 59 | Vesterbro
Thu – Tue 10:00 – 16:00, Wed 10:00 – 21:00

This café is almost a little secret, but I want as many people as possible to know about it.

The outside is not doing the very, very cosy inside justice – and I really think this is one of the most cosy, or “hyggelige” as we say, Danish cafés in Copenhagen. Café Retro is the perfect place to go after a long cold walk when you need to get warm, have a nice cup of coffee and just feel good.

And what makes you feel so good at Café Retro? Not just the great coffee and comfy sofas. But also the very kind and friendly service. And guess what – the bartenders are voluntary workers and all profits go to Africa and India! That is just so great!

The menu is limited to soup and snacks, but they have lots of coffee, beer and wine, so you’ll be just fine.

The café is dedicated to live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But they also support a wide range of other cultural events. Keep up to date with current events on the website.

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Café Retro | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Festivals & events
Knabrostræde 26 | Inner City
Tue – Wed & Sun 13:00 – 23:00, Thu 13:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 13:00 – 01:00

Could it be? Yes! Paradis is ready to please you.

My favorite is Paradis – and not just because of the name. “Is” is the Danish word for ice cream and Paradis is, well – paradise.

You can get all sorts of flavors and they are made daily in the shop. I recommend strawberry and chocolate – and so does my son, Alfred, in the picture. But they always have something good. The wafers are not home made, but quite good, so try one next time you stop by. You can also have the ice cream in a cup.

You can enjoy your ice cream at the store along with different kinds of coffee and chocolate, but the location is great for taking the ice cream to go. Not too far is Volden – a green area part of the old moat. Wonderful spot to hang out and enjoy a spot of green and some scoops of paradise.

You can find Paradis other places in the city. The first one opened in Sankt Hans Torv and the lines were sooo long. They still can be on a sunny day, but it’s worth the wait!

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Paradis | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Festivals & events | 3 scoops DKK 30.00
Amagerbrogade 9 | Amager
March Mon – Fri 13:00 – 20:00, Sat – Sun 11:30 – 20:00

Ever wanted to run with the locals? For free? In Copenhagen? On a Sunday? In the winter? This is the tip for you!

Every Sunday from November until May you can participate in Spartas free Sunday running practice. It’s part of the programme before the Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon 2010. As many as 1.000(!) people join in on Sundays where you meet up at Østerbro Stadium at 09:30.

You run in groups according to your pace with pace keepers to get you moving. Come a little early if you’re not sure what group to follow. The pace keepers are all every friendly and experienced runners, so they can help you out.

The fastest pace keepers run 4:10 km/min. and the slowest pace keepers run 6:30 km/min. They run from 13 to 30 km, but see the programme on the website to find out what they run on the date you have in mind.

The best part of this event – other than it’s free and a great workout – is that the atmosphere is very positive and happy. Come and see for yourself.

You can see the programme and the routes on the Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon website. And who knows – maybe you’ll be back to join us in the marathon…..

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Sunday running practice | Relaxing, Festivals & events | Free
Østerbro Stadion | Østerbro
Sun 09:30