After experiencing lumpfish roe delicacies and cinematic scenes in a church as part of Wondercool Copenhagen, we were ready for day two in Denmark’s capital. Having enjoyed a comfortable night’s sleep in the Admiral Hotel, we were up early to see what all the fuss was about in a newly developed area of Copenhagen not far from the airport.

Ørestad

A planned development about 15 minutes from the centre of Copenhagen, Ørestad is a long strip of residential high-rises, hotels, office buildings, parks and shopping precincts that really provides a remarkable impression of Danish architecture. It represents the pinnacle of Danish design, city planning, education, commerce and transport, all in one location not far from Downtown.

Apartment blocks in Ørestad

Each apartment in this development has its own front garden thanks to the sloping roof.

Large open park areas for hanging out, playing football or having a barbeque.

The entire area is served by the Metro and is only 8 minutes to Copenhagen airport and 8 minutes to the Ørestad Bridge which connects Denmark with Skåne in Sweden.

Bella Sky Hotel

Hailed as one of the most stylish hotels in Copenhagen, Bella Sky is located right next to the Bella Centre conference and exhibition precinct and stands as a landmark of Ørestad.

Bella Sky’s inviting foyer

But the treat was definitely ascending to the sky bar, where we were afforded 360 degree views all over Ørestad and Greater Copenhagen.

Grand piano in Bella Sky’s top floor bar.

Showcasing the coolest of Danish furniture, the Bella Sky bar is the ideal place for a meal as dusk descends over Denmark. The duo of towers cast an imposing shadow over Ørestad, making this hotel more than just a place to have a drink or hang your hat for the night.

Torvehallerne

Jayne had this place on her list from the moment we arrived in Copenhagen. We jumped on our bikes and rode to the north side of the city to check out this highly regarded local favourite. A glass walled indoor market in the working-class-turned-cool Norrebro neighbourhood, Torvehallerne is a mix of organic bakeries, coffee shops and fruit and veg vendors.

Torvehallerne essentially showcases the best of all of Copenhagen’s boutique cafes, bakeries and brunch houses. And is home to my favourite, The Coffee Collective.

Undoubtedly the best coffee joint in CPH, they have two outlets in the city and have a solid reputation with the locals of producing a quality cup of joe.

If you like your coffee, there’s nowhere else to go than The Coffee Collective when you’re in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Cooking

Finishing up the weekend, we returned to the Admiral Hotel to sample a cross section of Copenhagen’s Cooking Festival, held this year from August 24th to September 2nd. Copenhagen’s 10 top restaurants including Restaurant Jacobsen, The Lodge, STURE and Marv & Ben brought their A game and dished out everything from roast duck and porchetta to chocolates and craft beer.

I’d been to Copenhagen once before, but experiencing Wondercool Copenhagen showed me a different, more refined side of the city that involved films, caviar, architecture and cycling. I’d been converted by the things the Danes do best. If I wanted to live anywhere in Scandinavia, it’d be Copenhagen, hands down.

Disclosure: this trip was provided complimentary by Visit Copenhagen but as always, opinions are my own.