The integrity of tangible books might be in jeopardy, but places like Motto Charlottenborg remain ever-resilient to change. Cross-genre in nature, Motto is housed in an elegant art hall and cultural hot spot. A self-publishing showcase, the walls boast an array of vibrant pièces de résistance of the aesthetic world, while open space for exhibitions, forums, and lectures allows lovers of the medium to wax poetic about the function of publishing and writing in a fast-paced world.

The Botanical Garden dates way back—the first garden, Hortus Medicus, was established in 1600 by royal charter and donation. Today, it’s an extensive maze of greenhouses, and truly a wondrous playground. With more than 23,000 living specimens—representing 12,000 different species—the University of Copenhagen-owned Botanical Garden is the country’s largest collection of plants, fungi, and herbaria. Advanced conditions such as open-air beds with varying temperatures and moisture make it possible to feature plants and fungi from all over the world.

Though not all of the greenhouses are accessible to the public, you can still take a peek of the verdant life within. The adjacent Botanical Museum also provides background knowledge to the various plant species, housing thematic exhibitions like “Exotic Species” and perhaps more pragmatically, “Poisonous Plants from Nature.”

We particularly favor the garden in the winter, when the snow freezes over and thousands of icicles string across tree branches. Best of all? Whether in spring bloom or a winter wonderland, the garden is always free.

The first thing you’ll notice about this dark, dingy spot is the rust colored walls and stuffed animals in human clothing dotted about the interior, like the stuffed polarbear greeting guests in his tuxedo, drink in hand and baring his gritty teeth, or the antelope dressed in a priest’s robe. The artwork adorning the rooms has a haunting and sometimes horrible beauty.

It’s common to find people in here already drunk since lunchtime, giving Bankeråt a relaxed vibe that makes every day seem like a Saturday and coaxing everyone to join in the fun.

Bankeråt also offers food inspired by international recipes, (serving items such as African tortillas, English breakfast, or the E speciale—our favorite) prepared with natural ingredients, priced reasonably and well portioned. Mornings are particularly busy due to the popularity of breakfast here, although the primary reason for coming is the endearing atmosphere and crowd of regulars. This is not a place where you’re likely to feel alone.