by Where is your favorite destination and why?
Copenhagen. I was born in Odense, about two hours away, and then moved all over Denmark. When I started drama school at 25, I moved to Copenhagen and have called it home ever since. But over the last 10 years I’ve developed a tourist relationship with the city because I’m never there. I travel constantly and work somewhere else three quarters of the year. Now when I come back and walk around there, I take it in, like you do in a place that’s not home. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place. It has the feel of the old capitals of Europe.
Do you have a favorite time of year to visit?
It’s exactly this time of year that I wouldn’t advise people to go to Copenhagen because it’s gloomy and dreary and cold and rainy. If you’re lucky it might snow. I would definitely recommend going in spring or early fall, that’s when it’s most beautiful.
When was the last time you were there?
I just got back from New Zealand and went to Copenhagen before coming to London for the premiere of my new film William Tell. I’ve been trying to escape this dark, dreary time of year. I came back very early in the morning and it was a beautiful winter day. Very chilly, freezing cold and there was snow so it was very nice.
Where is your favorite place to stay there?
I live with my wife in the apartment where she grew up. She took it over when her father died. It’s tiny but the best apartment in Copenhagen. It’s on the fifth floor and we’re right across from a park so no one can see in and we have a nice view. You have to drag me out of there.
What are your top restaurants?
These are not upscale. One of them would be Bar La Una. One of them would be Locale 21. And one would be Christianshavns Bådudlejning. It’s a small restaurant on the canal. There you can rent a boat and take a short trip through the canals. Then you can come back and have your lunch or dinner there. Of course it’s only open in summer, but it wouldn’t be a real summer if I hadn’t been there. There are many canals in Copenhagen, and about 20 years ago it was decided to clean the harbor so that people could swim in it. You can leave your apartment and just go swimming there. That’s one of the things I’m very proud of where I come from. It feels so cool to do that.
Is there a favorite food that you associate with home?
Everything my wife cooks.
What should someone do if they had 24 hours in Copenhagen?
I’ve actually never done that before, but that’s what I would do on my dream day. I got myself a lovely coffee and sat in the garden between Parliament and the Royal Library. It’s in the middle of the city, but people don’t go there often. It is a wonderful garden that you almost always have to yourself. Little ducks and a statue of the philosopher Kierkegaard swim in the pond. Then I would go to the Thorvaldsen Museum, dedicated to the 19th century sculptor and artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. All of his sculptures are there, each in a different room, and each room has a different color.
Then I would get on the train and travel 45 minutes north to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. It is the most amazing museum in the world. It’s located on the coast and its permanent collection is simply incredible. First I went to the cafeteria, sat on the terrace overlooking the sea, had some lunch and then went to the museum. Afterwards I would get on the train and head back to Copenhagen for dinner. Since Noma, it has become such a restaurant town. I haven’t been there yet, but everyone says this is one of the best restaurants in Copenhagen. It’s called Koan and it’s Korean. That would be my day, and now that I’ve said it, I’ll do it when I get home.
What is the one thing you absolutely should do?
The Tivoli Gardens. It’s a nice park with all these rides, but there are also restaurants and it’s very nice there. And you should go swimming in the harbor. You shouldn’t miss this.
Is there a hidden gem you would like to share?
This library garden. It’s pretty puzzling that it’s not always full of people, so that would probably be my little secret.
What do you do to let your hair down?
Oh my god, is this a party? I’ll never do that again. I’m about 60. I don’t have a good answer to that, sorry.
Is there anyone you call to have a good time?
I called my best friend Jakob and we went out for lunch or dinner. Just drink a few beers and have a chat because that’s always the best time.
Do you have any favorite shops?
There are two local brands, one is called Hansen Garments. This is a store that I really like. The other one is called Nuru.
What souvenir should you take home from Copenhagen?
Probably a model of the Little Mermaid statue. Although I think it’s always such a disappointment. I think people expect the Statue of Liberty and she is smaller than a normal person. You have to point it out to someone else you won’t see it.
Is packaging absolutely necessary?
Pack a raincoat and swimsuit so you can go swimming in the harbor.
Is there a song that reminds you of this place?
Copenhagen Dreaming by a Danish band called Love Shop. It’s a really, really good song and it’s so Copenhagen. When it came out, I thought, “Wow, someone managed to write a song that sums up everything this city is about.”
Do you have a top wellness tip?
I live three minutes from the Aire Ancient Baths, in the former Carlsberg brewery. The spa is built on the principle of Roman baths. There’s a really warm one, a really cold one, and a super salty one that you can just swim in. We go there a lot, far more than is probably healthy.
Is there a dress code for the city?
It’s probably a pretty fashionable city, but the dress code would be a raincoat. It’s just as rainy as London, if not rainier.
Where would you most like to live there?
In the middle of the city there is a tower called Rundetaarn, which used to serve as an observatory for scientists to observe the stars. I think it would be impossible to build an apartment there, but it would be an amazing place because the views are just incredible. You can even take your bike all the way to the top. In Copenhagen everyone cycles everywhere, you are always in a swarm of bikes. You must have at least two bikes, a cheap one for winter that gets dirty and a fancy one for summer.
As India Block was told
