Despite its relatively small size, this Scandinavian city is full of nourishing health cafés, vegetarian fine dining restaurants, inspiring studios and rejuvenating spas and hotels to recharge at. Spend a weekend in Copenhagen and indulge in all its wellness spots – we have the full list of the gems to pursue for treating mind, body, and soul. Enjoy everything from Kundalini yoga, reformer classes, infrared saunas and Ayurvedic treatments, to fresh juices, health stores, and ceremonial cacao sessions.

STAY & RECHARGE

If you want to treat yourself during your visit, the iconic Hotel d’Angleterre in the heart of the city, just by Nyhavn is a beloved favourite. This 5-star hotel was established in 1755 and embodies a perfect balance between historic luxury and contemporary design. Recharge in their incredibly comfortable beds, relish incredible food at their Michelin-starred Restaurant Marchal, and make sure to pamper yourself in their spa Amazing Space where you’ll find a fitness centre and indoor swimming pool, as well as a wide range of outstanding spa services.

Another gorgeous hotel with a prime location (right by Tivoli Gardens) is Nobis Hotel Copenhagen. Modern, stylish, and located in a building from 1903, this is another lovely hideaway in the middle of the city where Scandinavian minimalism meets historic atmosphere. The rooms are carefully designed and decorated in earthy tones and you’ll find delectable dishes at their restaurant NOI. Last, but not least, Audo is an interior design lover’s dream and you’ll find an incredible shop showcasing a stunning range of furniture, an amazing restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as the loveliest hotel rooms in this hybrid space.
Indulge in their exquisite matcha and avocado tartine, then ascend to one of the serene rooms upstairs. Here, you’ll discover a haven adorned with luxurious amenities such as Frama’s signature body and hair care products in the bathroom, and the embrace of sumptuously soft, organic bed linen from Aiayu.

For total relaxation and disconnection for body and mind, booking Aire Ancient Baths is a must. This incredible spa is located in the former Carlsberg factory where the original features from the iconic and ancient building have been restored and fused with the magical atmosphere and concept of Aire. Come and experience the different baths or book a treatment (we recommend their Holistic Ritual, which combines an exfoliation with body massage and hair treatment). House of Salt is another tranquil relaxation oasis where you find salt therapy (which may help ease allergy symptoms, asthma, colds, skin problems, etc.), infrared saunas, as well as “H2 treatment”, where hydrogen-rich water helps detox the cells. Escaping the city buzz is also possible at the beautiful sanctuary called Arndal, which is a stylish fitness centre and spa. Enjoy a cup of homemade ginger tea as you enter the oasis, go for a workout in the well-equipped gym, and unwind with a soothing massage, a sweaty sauna session, or a refreshing facial afterwards. If you really want to go all in on your spa experience, make sure to book a little getaway at Kurhotel Skodsborg, which is an excellent spa hotel just north of Copenhagen City. Enjoy 16 different bathing experiences, saunas, sea dips and spa services ranging from classic massages and facials to manicures and detox treatments.

EAT

Even though we are waiting for one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Scandinavia, Gemyse at Hotel Nimb, to re-open, the city offers many other plant-based gems that are worth checking out when you want a healthy and delicious bite. Located in an old warehouse in Østerbro with a delectable vegetarian cuisine, Veve is the spot for your dinner out. Make sure to reserve a table in advance, or you will have to join the waitlist for the around 30 seats in the Michelin-starred restaurant. A recommendation is definitely to try their 6-course menu, and a big plus is that it’s possible to pair it with alcohol-free beverages as well. A similar plant-based favourite in the middle of Copenhagen’s old Latin quarter is Vækst. Centered around a greenhouse with lush plants in every corner, we love the atmosphere as much as the delicious menu (we love the salt-baked celery).

Great options for breakfast or lunch are the favourites Atelier September and Apollo Bar. A must-try at Atelier September is their yoghurt with granola, zucchini jam, and matcha and we also love the grapefruit with mint. The fresh goat cheese toast with wild blueberry compote, roasted pumpkin with tahini, as well as the sourdough bread at Apollo Bar are some highlights to order as well. For a healthy breakfast or lunch on the go, head to 42Raw and Palæo for the best açai bowls, smoothies, juices, salads, and plant-based burgers. Order the lemon or strawberry juice together with a wrap from Palæo and make sure to get the matcha bowl or the pancakes at 42Raw – you won’t be disappointed! Another great spot specialising in bowls (especially porridges) is Grød, where you find everything from sweet smoothie bowls to filling oatmeal porridges and savoury risottos. Sonny is a favourite café where you find great matcha lattes and an excellent avocado on rye bread that shouldn’t be missed.

EXERCISE

The city’s most beautiful Pilates studio is undoubtedly Studio 41, which is an exclusive private studio where you find both reformer and mat classes in addition to postnatal- and private sessions. A wide range of Pilates classes can also be found at Pilates Cph and LineLine – Pilates. If you want a mix of Pilates and yoga, try Ohmyoga, which is an exclusive yoga and reformer studio in the heart of the city. Two other favourites for all yogis are Power Yoga Copenhagen and The Yoga Flat in Christianshavn, where you can choose between meditations, slow yin flows, ashtanga, breathwork, sweaty power vinyasa and more. We also love Kalio Yoga where all classes are in English and 200-hour teacher trainings, as well as workshops, courses, and events are offered too. For Bali- and LA-vibes, head to YUM Yoga & Café and combine grounding flows with organic and healthy bites, and to escape the cold completely, book a hot vinyasa or warm yin at Dottir Hot Yoga and enjoy the infrared heated studio. If you’re in Hellerup, Yoga Factory on Strandvejen, where you also find chiropractors, nutritionists, and healers, is a must-visit. BeYogi is a lovely studio focusing a lot on women and kids, offering both pre- and postnatal classes, kids classes, baby yoga, and more. For an exciting experience including blue light and a musical journey, head to Rive Gauche for rhythm-based yoga.

For a sweaty HIIT session, you can find a Barry’s in town, and we also love Nordic Strong in Nordhavn where you find a wide range of classes daily. For Ayurvedic treatments and other healing methods like reiki, as well as kundalini, candlelight sound baths and yin classes with ceremonial cacao, check out the amazing studio NAYA CPH in Frederiksberg. Last, but definitely not least, One Thirty Labs is a mandatory stop for every wellness-lover. This modern health- and longevity studio offers a selection of carefully curated treatments, like cryo therapy, infrared saunas, LED light therapy, compression therapy, meditation pods, hydrogen inhalation therapy, and more. Moreover, you also find dance classes, breathwork, yoga, and different membership options that include both classes and treatments.

SHOP

Helsemin and Helsam are two great health stores where you find everything from organic snacks, food, and drinks, to skincare, books and cleaning supplies. If you’re looking for a great farmer’s market experience, Torvehallerne is where to go. The best tea can be found at the iconic A.C. Perch, which has been around since 1835 and is hence the oldest tea shop in the city. A must is to try their famous “White Temple” which both locals and tourists line up for. The fruity and sweet, yet very healthy, blend of both white and green tea is so delicious and works for any occasion. Make sure to stop by Soul Books and browse through all the spirituality books and crystals stacked on the shelves. In addition to beautiful furniture and other home goods, you find the famous natural body- and hair care products at Frama Studio Store. It’s pretty much impossible to leave empty-handed, and two favourites are the body oil and the Herbarium Shampoo.

words by Matilde Wergeland
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