THE industrial chic of its cityscape and the renowned culinary revolution of its future-looking foodies are functional modernism with purposeful style and passionate eccentricity epitomized.
Even if the unfamiliarity you are surrounded with is so many miles away from what you are familiar with, spending time in Copenhagen makes you not wanting to come back where you came from.
This city’s vibe is the most seamless urban experience you can hope for. More avant-garde than Stockholm and more cosmopolitan than Oslo, this city is the very definition of cool in the Nordic block.
No other city in the world that I have visited is more design-conscious than in this Danish capital. Every building design, public or private spaces, even furniture or house wares have the cleanest lines of design -- pure and simple -- with functionality still being very accessible at the same time. The Danes seemed to have mastered applying what is most pleasing to the eye with elementary usefulness.
Of note are the Black Diamond, the Copenhagen Opera House and the Oresund Bridge whose simple, modern and geometric lines loudly scream 22nd century chic. The designs are so subdued but totally arresting. Cold and standoffish it seems but certainly conventionally utilitarian.
Not to be overlooked and lending contrast are the Tojhus Arsenal finished in 1604 and the Borsen finished in 1640, both stock exchange buildings. There’s also the royal residence of Christianborg Palace completed in 1745 and the Frederiksstaden district started in 1749 on which the Rococo-styled Ameliaborg Palace now stand – all lending historical provenance to the city.
With 900 years of history under its belt, these old and dignified edifices are stark reminders of how the early marauders and occupiers of this city delighted on the whimsical and ornate design-wise.
This city has come a long way from being founded in the 10th century as a modest fishing village. While it has segued way into ultra-modern consciousness, its past are still very much alive.
Aside from the above-mentioned historical building, which has been very well-preserved, the cobblestone streets lined by pastel colored townhouse and cafes make Copenhagen practically a living, breathing museum. That is pretty much stating the obvious because this city is where you will find world-class museums as well.
Then there’s Noma -- the holy grail for all gastronomes around the world. Using only local Scandinavian produce, chef Rene Redzepi creates the most extraordinary dishes anyone can find. No wonder it has been consistently named as one of the best restaurants worldwide. It may be a bit pricey but the quality and originality you get from dining in the restaurant and every purchase for that matter you make in Copenhagen are all so very worth it.
All the best seems to be concentrated in this tiny sliver of low lying flat ground facing the Oresund region to the east, the strait of water that separates Denmark from Sweden. Sure enough, it is.
The thing is, I have a sense that the Danes have such quiet dignity that despite being two or three steps ahead of everybody else, they seem to have a collective preference of stately humility about it. They do not feel the need to let the whole world know. That in itself seems extremely cool.
That is probably the very reason why the Danes are the most satisfied, thus happiest in the world for some years running now. And Copenhagen is in the thick of it all. No wonder you will never want to leave this city.
Add Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid along the Langelinie promenade in the mix and you have one iconic and ever so stylish customer sitting ever so coolly amid a city that is by far, the coolest by design.