Podcast: Insider's Guide to Copenhagen - Danish design, wine and kayaking

Designmuseum Danmark offers displays of decorative art, crafts, and industrial designs from the Western world and Asia from the late Middle Ages and up to the present. Earlier, the museum was the first public hospital in Denmark, The Royal Frederik's Hospital, where Søren Kierkegaard was admitted and died in 1855. After a refurbishment, the museum includes designs that, to Danes, will tickle their nostalgia, while international visitors will gain a larger insight into primarily Danish design.

In the wonderful King's Garden, at the end of the main avenue Kavalergangen, lies the beautiful old building Herkules Pavillonen. It was originally built as a private gazebo for Christian IV in 1606, a supplement to the king's "summer palace". Today, the building houses a cosy café with outdoor seating, perfect for warm summer days and a direct view of Rosenborg Castle. The café is a summer café and, therefore, only operates with outdoor seating without table reservations. Grab a seat at one of the many locations, either on the avenue or in the more secluded courtyard. 

Hay House is Sam's work and pride. Stepping into the store feels like stepping into a very well-designed and grand living room. Here, you will find straightforward and functional furniture and design pieces in unconventional shapes, but even smaller, often funny things for the home - from designer pillows and towels to wall clocks and vases - can be found. It is a dream come true for any design enthusiast! 

Seeing Copenhagen from the water offers a whole different perspective on the city. Away from the noise of cars, further to the sky and with more air around you, it is the perfect opportunity to work out while simountaniously go sightseeing. With a location on Kalvabod Brygge in the heart of the harbourside, and another in Amager Beach, Kajakhotellet is well placed for all types of kayakers. They offer multiple courses and activities around kayaking and SUP. Regardless of whether you’re a total rookie or a real pro!

On Frankrigsgade in Amager is Josephine, which can best be described as a combination of a wine bodega, shop, and restaurant. With a large selection of wine, cocktails, and sardines, Josephine is a hardcore competitor in the unofficial Copenhagen hangout search. Josephine used to be a bakery, and was then a bodega for over 50 years, and the old ovens are still in place (although not functioning!). Despite its quality beverages, it is a very affordable charming spot.

As Sam discovered in Copenhagen, you don't need to go to a Michelin restaurant to get a quality experience. At Toto Vin & Spisebar on Amager, Sam describes it as a place that "Doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the quality of the food and wine is very good!" At ToTo, the wine is in focus, and the kitchen stands for ambitious comfort food, and is mainly oriented around the traditional Mediterranean cuisines, but is happy to take gastronomic detours on the menu to Asia, South America and the Middle East, among others.