Wouldn't you like to learn about Copenhagen’s history, and hear about the town's many secrets? You simply ask Rikke.
Rikke lives in a suburb of Copenhagen but spends most of her time in the inner city. She is a freelance tour guide and has been working with Copenhagen Free Walking Tours ever since the company came to life in November 2012. And that is not all; she spends her evenings with Pub-Crawl Copenhagen where she also works as a guide.
When she isn’t busy guiding people around town she takes whatever chance she can get to see the world.
When she isn’t busy guiding people around town she takes whatever chance she can get to see the world.
Rikke was so very lovely to tell us about Copenhagen. Trust me she knows best what is hot, and amazingly enough, it also involves bees ...
The Touristin: Three words that characterize Copenhagen?
Rikke: Cosy, trendy & historic,
The Touristin: How do you get around Copenhagen?
Rikke: Most people bike around Copenhagen, I walk. I live a little bit out of the city centre, so most days I take public transport into town. Copenhagen is easy to walk, but when I do need a bike, I can always rent a city bike. The city bikes are all over the city, and as long as you just need to get from A to B, it’s not too pricey.
The Touristin: What is the best kept secret about Copenhagen?
Rikke: Right behind the busy Christiansborg Palace there is the cosiest little quiet garden. You won’t read about it in your guidebook. It’s the kind of place you stumble upon, which is what makes it so special.
The Touristin: What is your favourite borough/suburb/area in Copenhagen and why?
Rikke: Besides the inner city I really love Nørrebro. Nørrebro is the most multicultural area you will find in Copenhagen and it really reflects in the shops and in the whole atmosphere of the area. It’s a busy area where you will never be bored people watching!
The Touristin: The best place for a hot chocolate or coffee in Copenhagen?
Rikke: If you are into coffee you must visit Coffee Collective. They roast their own coffee every single day and quite a few of their baristas have won national and international prizes for their coffees. You can find them on the trendy Jægersborggade in Nørrebro and also in Torvehallerne by Nørreport Station.
The Touristin: What is one restaurant we must try out while in Copenhagen?
Rikke: You must try Bror. It’s this cosy little restaurant that focuses on new Nordic food. The dishes are traditionally Danish but with a modern twist. They only use the very best ingredients, which are sourced from northern Europe. However, if you are on a tight budget go to Københavner Caffeine on Badstuestræde, it’s a traditional Danish restaurant with the friendliest staff in town. The servings are large, and you definitely get value for money!
The Touristin: Where would we meet you on weekends?
Rikke: As a tour guide the weekends are always busy. This is when we show most people around the city both during the day on our walking tours and at night on our pub-crawls. So, on weekends you can be sure to find me in the inner city of Copenhagen, walking and talking while enjoying the company of people from all over the world.
The Touristin: Do you have a favourite museum/gallery we all have to visit when in Copenhagen?
Rikke: I have always loved the Museum of Danish Resistance. Unfortunately the museum burned down in 2013. While we are waiting for it to reopen, my favourite museum is the National Museum. They have permanent and also temporary exhibitions that change throughout the year. Right now there is an exhibition called "The White Busses." Definitely check it out if you are in Copenhagen at the moment; it runs until 3rd January 2016.
The Touristin: What are some of your favourite places to shop for A) groceries and B) clothes?
Rikke: Torvehallerne is this great place when going grocery shopping. You can get meat, fish, dairy, greens and everything in-between.
Clothes shopping I mostly get done in Magasin du Nord. It’s an old department store in the middle of Copenhagen that has absolutely everything when it comes to all the trendiest brands. You can find lots of Danish design here, both clothes and interior.
The Touristin: What souvenir shall we bring back from Copenhagen?
If you want to bring home something that is not the typical Copenhagen souvenir, I recommend Bybi honey. The Bybi honey is this really cool project run by homeless people in Copenhagen. They keep bees throughout the city - even on top of the City Hall! They use these bees to make the most delicious honey. It is sold in different places in Copenhagen, and one of the places you can get it is in Torvehallerne. I recommend you buy a gift tube with five different honeys from Copenhagen, they all vary completely in colour and taste!
The Touristin: Thank you so much for your time Rikke. I wish you all the very best with your tours, lots of fun guiding visitors around Copenhagen, and safe travels always.
Would you like to know how I feel about Copenhagen? Read Hej Copenhagen - How I fell in Love in just one Weekend.
From Berlin with love