Renowned for its architecture, history, culture, and food, Copenhagen is one of Denmark’s crowning jewels.
This vibrant metropolis is home to 660,000 people within the municipality and 1.4 million across its urban area. Whether you’re visiting København for the first time or the fifth, you’ll be captivated by its gorgeous architecture, easy-going atmosphere, Scandinavian charm, and the sea of bicycles seemingly around every corner. The city effortlessly blends modernity and history — you can wander through trendy districts and soon find yourself in a tranquil park beside a 17th-century royal castle. København offers the discerning traveller a Scandi chic experience that’s well worth the visit.
1883 Magazine’s Cameron Poole spent two sunny days in April soaking up a slice of what Denmark’s capital has to offer. Read on for where to stay during your Copenhagen escape — plus a roundup of must-do activities in this enchanting city.
Where to stay
Located in the city centre of København 25hours Hotel Indre By is one of two hotels the brand operates in the city, with the other, Paper Island, situated in the harbour area. The brand itself truly has something special about it, with hotels in 14 different destinations, from the Rhineland to the sunny, hot climate of Dubai, 25hours Hotels stands out for its extraordinary attention to detail. Each site is not only inspired by its location but also shaped by the art, culture, gastronomy, and stories of its surroundings. Each 25hours Hotel also has a certain theme, a concept that runs throughout the whole building — each theme is creative, fun, and makes it come to life. Fantastic little touches can also be found at each hotel, like a free mini-bar in each guest room, high-speed wifi, and more.
For 25hours Hotel Indre By, which opened in 2022, the hotel is set in a 19th-century building which was formerly a university, and a porcelain factory from 1885. There are 243 rooms, a wellbeing and gym space, a landscaped secret garden, sauna, assembly hall with a bar, breakout spaces, a 25hours Hotel shop, and a NENI restaurant. For the hotel’s theme, it harks back to when the site was previously a university, and it’s all about passion and knowledge. When you make your way to the fantastic lobby area, you’ll be greeted by a tidal-like art piece made out of books. The rooms that are inspired by knowledge feature nods to pioneering scientists such as Charles Darwin and Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. They feature blue and white tiling, butterflies under a glass bell, artificial bones and other bits of decor to bring the theme to life.
Whereas the theme of passion focuses more on the coming-of-age aspect and the many memories university students make through their time in education. In my passion-themed medium room, which came with a king-size bed and all the features of a 25hours Hotel you can expect, there was red tiling and the bedroom’s back wall playfully resembled a pin board made of cork. There was plenty of art, stylish decor, and even curtains which displayed risqué characters trying out different sexual positions. The room itself was so ideal for my time in the city, and I awoke every morning ready to go out and explore after a good night’s sleep.
For myself, the most interesting parts of the hotel are the assembly hall, vinyl room, and ‘love library’. The hall with its seating for 70 people had a calming and cool atmosphere combined with prehistoric elements, If you look up above the bar area, there are pterodactyls. Both the vinyl room and the love library have a certain cosy ambience, and you can relax with friends by putting on one of the many vinyls on display or by reading a book. As a bonus, there is a brilliant NENI restaurant which caters for 120 guests, a gastronomic main staple of many 25Hours Hotels across the globe.
The hotel is also closely situated next to the popular shopping street Købmagergade, the 17th-century Round Tower, the beautiful Kongens Have (Rosenborg Castle Gardens), Kongens Nytorv public square, and the nearest metro, Nørreport, is around 300 metres away.
Undoubtedly, if you’re looking for a fun Copenhagen hotel bursting with character, then 25hours Hotel Indre By should be on your radar.
What to do when visiting Copenhagen
If you’re looking to experience some of the best attractions Copenhagen has to offer, it’s well worth considering a Discover Copenhagen Card. This handy pass gives you access to more than 80 attractions across the city and also includes free use of public transport. Simply download the CPH Card app to your smartphone, and you can choose a card valid for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours. For reference, my 72-hour adult Discover Copenhagen Card cost £110.
With that in hand, here’s a roundup of some of the activities I enjoyed using the card — plus one extra tourist spot outside of it that is also worth checking out.
Rosenborg Castle
The 17th-century Rosenborg Castle was built by Danish King Christian IV and houses 400 years of royal treasures, including the Crown Jewels, weaponry, and royal regalia. It’s so well preserved that walking through feels like stepping back in time, with each room offering a glimpse into how royalty once lived in luxury. If you’re curious about historic royal life, the castle is definitely worth a visit.
Carlsberg Brewery
If you’re a fan of the globally recognised lager, a tour of the historic Carlsberg brewery might be of interest. The buildings date back to 1866, with some areas even older. You get an interactive wristband and can learn about the history of the company, the Jacobsen family’s impact on Copenhagen, and even the legal tensions between founder J.C. Jacobsen and his son Carl, who was taken to court by his father over brewing a new version of the lager.
At the end of the visit, you can enjoy a Carlsberg or a soft drink.
Cisternerne
Located in the delightful Søndermarken park and with its entrance to the art museum marked by two glass pyramids, the attraction is deep underground in a historic water reservoir. The caverns have been turned into an art space which uses audio, vibrant lights, and sculptures to create an otherworldly space.
The current exhibition is called Psychosphere by artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen and runs until November 30th.
Copenhagen Zoo
A hotspot for local families and tourists alike, the zoo has more than 4,000 animals. You can spend the day with pandas, monkeys, lions, bears, giraffes, flamingos and more.
Glyptoteket
Undoubtedly, my favourite attraction from my short time in the city was The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, commonly known as Glyptoteket, which is a museum that was set up by Carl and Ottilia Jacobsen in 1897. The museum boasts 10,000 works of art and 6,000 years of history. There is an impressive collection of artworks, Egyptian artefacts, Roman statues, and more.
The whole building is simply magnificent, particularly its winter garden with palm trees inside the domed space that connects you to each exhibition. There’s also a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy views of the city.
The Little Mermaid
Last but not least, no visit to Copenhagen is complete without seeing its most iconic landmark: The Little Mermaid statue. You won’t need a Discover Copenhagen Card to visit this famous spot at Langelinie Pier, but be prepared for plenty of crowds gathered around the sculpture inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairytale.
A “Medium Room” at 25hours Hotel Indre By costs from £187.16, €222, DDK 1.650 a night.
To find out more about 25hours Hotels or 25hours Hotel Indre By visit 25hours-hotels.com.
Words Cameron Poole
Thanks to 25hours Hotels and Visit Copenhagen.
