A fairytale at every corner
Some cities are made for wandering; Copenhagen is made for stories. Quiet cafes brim with antique books and well-loved paperbacks; cozy bookshops hide along cobbled streets. This feels like a place where literature and its charming literary shops naturally belong. Here, mornings mean novels and coffee, afternoons mean canal-side reading, and evenings mean literary cocktails.
Copenhagen’s deep connection to storytelling begins with its most famous writer, Hans Christian Andersen, whose fairy tales have shaped imaginations around the world and are celebrated in its many literary shops. His presence still lingers across the city, from the colorful harbor of Nyhavn where he once lived, to the magical corners of Tivoli Gardens that echo the whimsical spirit of his stories. Along the harbor front, you even find his character of The Little Mermaid sitting on her stone overlooking the water and incoming ships. Copenhagen also gave the world the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard; his reflections on life and existence were written while walking the very streets visitors explore today.
But Copenhagen is not only about literary history. It is a city that celebrates books in everyday life. Think book cafés where reading is encouraged, independent bookstores full of character, themed cocktail bars that draw inspiration from literature, and parks that feel so magical, it is as if you stepped into a book while reading.
This guide is for anyone who believes a city is best discovered through its stories. We have gathered below all our favorite spots to achieve the full literary and fairytale experience during your visit. If you’d like to stroll through streets and parks rich with stories, see the famous statues that inspired so many literary references, and discuss culture and books over pastries and a traditional lunch – all while one of us serves as your narrator – then we have designed the perfect full-day tour for you, right here.
Historical Sights & Museums
The University Library in Fiolstræde:
Tucked away in Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter, this historic building feels like stepping into a classic scholar’s study or a magical scene from Hogwarts. Opened in 1861, this red brick building boasts a beautiful, two-story book hall and centuries of academic history. They offer a free English guided tour daily at 2 PM and, if rumors are true, you might even see the secret university dungeon.
The Royal Danish Library (The Black Diamond):
Overlooking the harbor, this library is one of Copenhagen’s most striking cultural landmarks. Its modern waterfront extension, The Black Diamond, combines dramatic architecture with quiet reading rooms, exhibitions, and sweeping views of the city’s canals.
The Royal Library Garden:
Hidden behind The Royal Danish Library, is a quiet green oasis surrounded by historic navy, royal, and politic buildings. With benches beneath old trees and a statue of Søren Kierkegaard watching over the lawn, it is one of the most peaceful and gorgeous hidden gems you can find, tucked away so well even locals might not have found it. Every visit there is different, as the garden is filled with flowers from around the world that bloom in different seasons. Why not explore the garden with one of us as a part of our ‘Hygge & Happiness’ tour? We know all the secret stories and historic treasures hiding in there!
Assistens Cemetery:
One of Copenhagen’s most atmospheric green spaces, where locals wander on coffee walks among the graves of some of Denmark’s most beloved writers and thinkers, including Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, and Dan Turèll. Unusually for a cemetery, it also functions as a lively neighborhood park where locals come to walk, read, picnic, and enjoy the quiet surroundings. Want to see it all from a locals perspective and hear all the stories, while spotting the famous graves, with a local friend? Consider our ‘Nørrebro Neighborhood’ tour for a great insight into this area of the city and all the coolest spots to check out!
Hans Christian Andersen Experience:
Located near Rådhuspladsen, this experience invites visitors into the magical world of Hans Christian Andersen. Through immersive scenes and storytelling, the exhibition brings his famous fairy tales to life in a playful and imaginative way. Great for a combination with a trip to Tivoli Gardens, beloved by Andersen himself, where you absolutely must try The Flying Trunk – a ride that slowly takes you through the world of Andersen’s fairytales, floating by and joining every storyline for a short moment!
Modern & Antique Book Stores
Tranquebar:
A charming independent bookshop and café known for its thoughtful selection of literature and its warm, relaxed atmosphere. With books lining the walls and coffee on the tables, it is the kind of place where you easily lose track of time.
Politikens Boghal:
Right by Rådhuspladsen and open since 1915, it is one of the city’s best known bookstores and one of the oldest in the country, loved for its wide selection of Danish and international titles. It is a lively literary hub where locals come to browse new releases and discover their next read.
Arnold Busck:
Founded in the nineteenth century, Arnold Busck has long been part of Copenhagen’s literary landscape. The historic bookshop near Købmagergade is a classic stop for browsing everything from Danish literature to beautifully bound editions – a great place to find famous Andersen fairytale collections in English.
New Mags:
Located in the heart of the city, New Mags is a paradise for magazine lovers, a unique stop among the city’s literary shops. Its shelves are filled with international titles on design, fashion, culture, and literature, making it a perfect stop for anyone who appreciates beautiful print.
Vangsgaards:
Vangsgaard Antikvariat is a paradise for lovers of rare and secondhand books. Shelves packed with old volumes, maps, and prints make it feel like a treasure hunt for literary history. They have multiple locations around the inner city area, but a bigger main one is located at Fiolstræde 34.
Soul Books:
This is a small and thoughtful bookstore known for its carefully curated selection of spiritual international literature, art, and philosophy. Every shelf feels intentionally chosen for enlightenment, and the staff are warm, welcoming, and helpful with recommendations.
Sidernes Magi:
This store gives a 90’s Meg Ryan in ‘You’ve Got Mail’ kind of vibe and celebrates the joy of reading with a wide selection of fantasy, science fiction, and imaginative literature. The shop feels like a gateway into magical worlds and epic stories.
Literary Themed Cafés & Bars
The Library Bar:
Inside Hotel Plaza Copenhagen, The Library Bar recreates the atmosphere of a classic old world library. Surrounded by bookshelves and dark wood, it is an elegant place to enjoy a cocktail and pretend you have stepped into an old-timey literary novel.
Byens Forlag & Bogcafé:
Byens Forlag & Bogcafé brings together a small independent publisher, bookstore, and café in one cozy space. It is a welcoming place to discover new Danish literature while enjoying a relaxed cup of coffee.
Paludan Bog & Café:
Located just across from the old University Library, is one of Copenhagen’s most beloved book cafés, where towering shelves of antique books surround cozy tables. It is the perfect spot to read for hours, study, or chat with friends while enjoying coffee, cake, or a simple lunch. Underneath the café is also an actual antique book store as well.
The Pond – Queer Bookstore Café:
This is Denmark’s first queer bookstore café and a vibrant cultural space for LGBTQ+ literature and community. Visitors can browse books, attend events, or simply settle in with a drink and a good story.
Written by Sandra
