Copenhagen named ‘best city in the world’ by design magazine Wallpaper

Denmark’s capital won against Taipei, Los Angeles, Beirut and Miami

The Danish capital has been named the best city in the world by design magazine Wallpaper.

It triumphed over Beirut, Los Angeles, Miami and Taipei City, which were also shortlisted for the 2016 Design Awards.

The jury described Copenhagen as “growing increasingly extrovert and adventurous”.

The magazine especially highlighted the artistic ambience of the meatpacking district of Vesterbro, the gourmet scene in Nørrebro, and the “fertile enclave of creativity” that is Papirøen.

“The latest wave of creatives, architects and chefs has fuelled a renaissance, and New Nordic is the cuisine and design movement of the moment,” stated the magazine.

Thumbs up from ‘Danish Girl’
According to actor Eddie Redmayne – who was on the Wallpaper jury and spent time in the capital last spring filming scenes for ‘The Danish Girl’ – “the Danes get it right on so many levels”.

“Copenhagen has a vibrancy to it. The food culture is extraordinary and life seems easy, uncomplicated and fun. Who wouldn’t want to live in a city where you can swim in the harbour?” Redmayne noted.

Wallpaper magazine is an internationally renowned publication with a focus on design, fashion and travel and readers in 93 countries.

Its awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate the best places, designers, architects and designs.





  • How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    Being part of a trade union is a long-established norm for Danes. But many internationals do not join unions – instead enduring workers’ rights violations. Find out how joining a union could benefit you, and how to go about it.

  • Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals are overrepresented in the lowest-paid fields of agriculture, transport, cleaning, hotels and restaurants, and construction – industries that classically lack collective agreements. A new analysis from the Workers’ Union’s Business Council suggests that internationals rarely join trade unions – but if they did, it would generate better industry standards.

  • Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    The numbers are especially striking amongst the 3,477 business and economics students polled, of whom 31 percent elected Novo Nordisk as their favorite, compared with 20 percent last year.