Culture

5 industry insiders share their rainy day guide to Copenhagen

By Sophie Axon

Photo: Tippie-Maya Høgh

Wet weather doesn't have to dampen the fun in the Danish capital, as insider experts such as content creator Tippie-Maya Høgh and furniture and set designer Fatima Fransson reveal

The Danish capital lends itself seamlessly to rainy days. Its cobbled streets glisten against a backdrop of auburn leaves and foggy candle-lit windows, followed by the distant aroma of spiced cinnamon and the calming murmur of chatter. Huddled under an umbrella, Copenhagen is nothing short of charming.

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And if, after a slow meander through the city, you're keen to step inside and take shelter in the warmth, there's a multitude of spots in the city to hunker down and while away a rainy afternoon. If anything, in a capital that boasts so many attractions, finalising the itinerary is no easy feat.

Here, to help you make the most of the city, five fashion insiders share their rituals for a rainy day in Copenhagen.

Julie Blichfeld – Stylist and Creative Consultant

I love spending the cosy autumn days both inside and out. My suggestion would be to find your biggest, most colourful umbrella and jump into your wellies to enjoy a walk in the rain through Østre Anlæg park. Located in Østerbro, the park is small, intimate and cosy, and before you know it, as you stroll past the lake you'll find the SMK, Denmark's largest art gallery.

Østre Anlæg park is small and cosy. Photo: Julie Blichfeld

Stylist and Creative Consultant Julie Blichfeld. Photo: @dittecapion

Pancakes at the SMK Kafeteria. Photo: @fuminatsuji

Start your art experience by getting warm and comfy in Kafeteria SMK with some fluffy buttermilk pancakes and an oat milk cappuccino followed by the best soul food you can get: art watching. Right now you can experience artworks by Matisse – one of my personal favourite artists – in the exhibition titled 'The Red Atelier' where floral designer Poppy Kalas has contributed some beautiful flower arrangements.

Simone Noa Hedal – Content Creator and PR Manager

I love going to the tiny cake patisserie Taste on Store Kongensgade on rainy days. The owner is always there to give the best service and the staff communicate in French; it's really authentic. My boyfriend introduced me to the place when we started dating six years ago and ever since, it has become our go-to spot. Although the selection of cakes changes daily, they are all so good and well worth a visit. A chocolate ganache with pickled pears and caramel was one of the best cakes I have had thus far.

The cakes at Taste will banish any rainy day blues. Photo: @taste_bp

Content creator and PR manager Simone Noa Hedal. Photo: Simone Noa Hedal

Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen classic Tivoli Gardens is still fun in the rain. Photo: @perlmutter_cph

After sampling some Parisian patisseries, Tivoli Gardens is another place I especially enjoy going to on a rainy day; there is something magical about strolling through the gardens with an umbrella while admiring all the colourful lights shining brightly, and the decorations are specially designed to match the seasons.

Fatima Fransson – Furniture and Set Designer

A perfect activity for a rainy day in Copenhagen is to visit the Design Museum Denmark, the largest museum for Danish and international design and a central exhibition forum in Scandinavia. You can spend hours immersing yourself in handicrafts, furniture and industrial design.

The colour-filled 'Pop Op' section at Design Museum Denmark. Photo: Fatima Fransson

Furniture and Set Designer Fatima Fransson. Photo: Fatima Fransson

Be sure to exit through the gift shop at Design Museum Denmark. Photo: Christian Hoyer

'The Magic of Forms' is a notably special exhibition which celebrates the connection between Danish design and other forms of artistic expression. My favourite part of the exhibition is the 'Pop Op' section, which details the movement that emerged during the 1960s. In this room you meet an interior of powerful colours, synthetic materials and new shapes which have been inspired by space and abstract visions of the future. Pop culture wanted to provoke and shape new ways of living and eliminate the distinction between mass culture and high culture.

End your museum trip with a visit to the exciting shop, library or the cafe, which is furnished with Danish design and applied art.

Tippie-Maya Høgh – Content Creator

On a rainy day in Copenhagen, Dzidra is one of the best places to be. Located in Nørrebro, it’s my perfect little hidden gem for a cosy afternoon with friends or a couple hours alone, to get an afternoon slice of cake and coffee.

Dzidra's cakes to brighten up any day. Photo: Tippie-Maya Høgh

Content creator Tippie-Maya Høgh. Photo: Tippie-Maya Høgh

Dzidra is a hidden gem in Nørrebro. Photo: Tippie-Maya Høgh

As you step inside, it feels like you’ve walked into your friend’s house. The revolving menu is ever-changing and full of fruity surprises, such as a black berried mille crêpe with blackberries and a polenta-flour lemon tart.

Heidi Hofmann – Fashion Designer

Copenhagen beams with many hidden treasures so I believe the best way to spend a rainy day in the city is to take shelter somewhere that fills you with inspiration. For me, it’s Davids Samling, an art museum nestled in the city centre right next door to the King’s Garden. It's like a real treasure box! This is the feeling you get when you walk through the doors.

The Davids Samling is a treasure trove of incredible art. Photo: Pernille Klemp

Fashion designer Heidi Hofmann. Photo: Heidi Hofmann

A photo from the Middle East exhibition by Danish photographer Claus Rohland.

What makes it so special is that it presents art in the most beautiful of ways, with display cases and furniture designed by architect Kåre Klint filled with the most intriguing art, antiques and curiosities from across time and place – from the Danish golden age to Islamic art from 7th century and many contemporary pieces. You learn something new each time you visit. I personally love the eclectic mix of the different arts and crafts pieces and also the Islamic collection where I have taken inspiration for collections and prints several times.

To get the most out of the visit, I think it’s really fascinating to think about the person behind the museum, Christian Ludvig David. He was a Supreme Court prosecutor who started collecting all these pieces for himself throughout his life; he was so curious about other cultures and different art. Eventually, he chose to share this amazing collection with all of us by founding a public museum and making it accessible to all of us – it has free admission too.