FAM Report: Discovering the Green Heart of Copenhagen

Known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and rock-solid commitment to sustainability, our communications & content creator Shannon S. practically leapt at the chance to visit Copenhagen on a recent FAM trip. Check out her highlights...

With 546 km of bicycle paths winding through the city, 68% of hotel rooms listed as eco-certified and 91% of convention venues boasting third-party sustainability certifications, I was keen to see if Denmark's capital city would hold up to its reputation as a green paradise.

The trip was organised by the Copenhagen Convention Bureau , Idéa Nordic , and destinations UNLIMITED - DMC Representation , who came together to showcase the city's top locations and venues and offer an insider’s perspective on why Copenhagen is such a popular spot for event planners.

Our first stop was ROOF, the stunning rooftop bar and lounge perched atop the NH Collection Hotel. We were treated to a lunch of tasting plates and sampled some of the signature cocktails. Although we didn't need an excuse to stroll around the terrace and soak in the stunning panoramic views, the creatively named cocktails gave us one anyway. Each drink was named after an iconic building or landmark visible from the rooftop, turning our leisurely lunch into a scavenger hunt — and quite frankly the only kind I'll be partaking in from now on.

Sales manager Anders Nørgaard Lydholm joined us over lunch, sharing his insights into the inspiration behind the menu and the history of the hotel, before taking us on a tour. The hotel originally served as the headquarters of B&W shipyards and, now a listed building, it still keeps some of its history alive with nods to the old shipbuilding yard - such as the sculpture by local artist Anna Bak at the entrance.

The tour took us via the presidential suite with its jaw-dropping city views and through several of the 394 guest rooms available. The hotel features seven different event spaces, with the largest having a capacity for 160 people - the only downside being that the stunning views may prove to be more distracting than the average PowerPoint.

It wasn’t long until we were climbing into the back of a bike taxi, which took us on a scenic route along the canal bank. We passed hordes of locals who had clearly perfected the art of work/life balance with a Friday afternoon drink by the water.

Arriving at the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel, we were greeted by Birgitte Brahe , assistant director of sales. The Marriott is situated right by the canal and features 402 guest rooms and 16 meeting rooms. The view from my room was nothing short of spectacular, especially at night, and it was just a short walk away from all the locations we visited over the weekend.

That evening was spent at the iconic Tivoli Gardens . Tivoli opened in 1843, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Lars Adler Petersen , director of sales B2B, took us on an insider tour of the wonderfully diverse venue spaces. I particularly liked the Balanchine Lounge, which has a balcony view facing the main stage and incredible views over the garden. Without question, Tivoli’s enchanting atmosphere and beautifully landscaped gardens would create a magical setting for any event.

Tivoli has a strong ethos around sustainability and managing its environmental impact. We visited its newest restaurant, Kilden i Haven, which is owned by LOCA Gruppen , an organisation which strives to combine a love for green cuisine along with seasonal produce across their variety of businesses within the restaurant and events industry.

With our bellies full and our carbon footprint successfully minimised, we headed back to the hotel, stopping for a brief interlude to hear the last few songs of Chaka Khan’s set, who happened to be performing at Tivoli that night. Let’s just say, “Ain’t Nobody” going to be forgetting this evening any time soon!

Day 2:

Our second day began with a visit to Villa Copenhagen for breakfast - and more importantly to sample the “insta-worthy” baked goods on offer from Rug Bakery, which is situated onsite. This hotel, housed in a beautifully repurposed old post office, blends historic architecture with modern commitment towards conscious luxury - and has done such a good job it was awarded the Historic Hotels Worldwide Sustainability Champion award in 2023.

We met with Anja Hansson Liedholm from Inhouse Sales, who guided us through the hotel’s impressive venue spaces. Anja explained how Villa Copenhagen has seamlessly integrated sustainable practices into its everyday activities, such as heating their outdoor rooftop pool with waste heat generated from refrigerators. The hotel exudes such a historic charm throughout the majority of its interior, which made the contrast to the ultra-modern conference rooms a real surprise.

For lunch, we headed to Reffen by Copenhagen Street Food - a street food market set right on the water. The weather was not on our side today, but that didn't dampen our spirits — or our appetites. This spot was a true foodies paradise, offering cuisines from every corner of the world. The event space was equally as unique as the food offerings, offering high ceilings and atmospheric lighting throughout the industrial style building.

Despite my best efforts to eat my entire body weight in food throughout the day, I was equally as excited when dinner rolled around. Copenhagen is renowned for its culinary scene, with a total of 15 Michelin starred restaurants within the city, but that evening we were treated to an incredibly unique, gastronomic adventure with CYKELKOKKEN . The concept behind Cykelkokken is that guests cycle to different spots within the city and enjoy a course at each location - all of which are cooked on a custom-made bicycle which contains a built-in stove, refrigerator and space for glasses and cutlery. It really needs to be seen to be believed!

Due to the wet weather, we had to skip the cycling portion and stay in one spot, but the Cykelkokken team still made sure we got the full experience. The five-course meal was nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish featured seasonal local produce with vibrant fresh flavours. Even without the cycling, this unique dining adventure was a standout moment of the trip for me and a must do for anyone looking to sample the local food in a unique way.

Day 3:

The Marriott Hotels Copenhagen might not have a pool, but they’ve got something better — and certainly more exciting. Guests are encouraged to take a dip in the harbour right outside the door. We kicked off the day with an early morning swim, a tradition the Danish claim is the secret to eternal youth — or potentially hypothermia, depending on the season. Either way, it was a refreshing way to wake up, and our bravery was rewarded with a trip to the sauna afterwards.

After packing our bags, we were ready for a Hydrobiking session. This was not something I had heard of before, but it turned out to be similar to riding an exercise bike. Luckily, the bikes are incredibly stable, and our guide assured us that he had only ever had one person fall in the water - and that was from the dock.

Determined not to double that number, I hopped on and we set off along the canal. Hydrobiking really proved to be a great way to see the city from a different perspective and certainly provided a lot of laughs, along with it being a fantastic group activity that you can’t find in many other locations.

Next on our itinerary was a visit to CopenHill , a power plant that not only converts waste into energy but also bizarrely doubles as a ski hill, of all things! Up on the hill itself, the wildflowers are encouraged to grow freely, and the views of the surrounding area certainly make it warrant a visit - with no obligation to ski back down!

I was aware Copenhagen was known an incredibly sustainable city but seeing it for myself was eye-opening. Sustainability is woven into everything they do—it’s simply a way of life there. Whether you’re planning a high-profile conference, a creative retreat, or simply looking to explore a city that leans into both tradition and innovation, Copenhagen has so much to offer.