Inside the Hidden Lives of Teens in Copenhagen 🇩🇰 | What Growing Up in Europe Really Looks Like

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A Day in the Life of a Young Copenhagener

Copenhagen, Denmark’s vibrant capital, is renowned for its sustainability, safety, and bicycle-friendly streets, consistently ranking among Europe’s most livable cities. However, it’s also one of the continent’s most expensive. For young people like Clara, a 20-year-old lifelong resident, the city offers a unique blend of freedom, culture, and opportunities for personal growth. In this article, we follow Clara through a day in her life, exploring what makes Copenhagen special and how young Danes navigate their early adulthood.

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A Cozy Home and the Art of Hygge

Clara lives with her parents and younger brother in an apartment filled with personal touches, like photographs taken by her father that line the hall. The living room embodies the Danish concept of hygge—a lifestyle centered on coziness, comfort, and being surrounded by loved ones. For Clara, hygge means “being with people you love, where you can truly be yourself, relax, and have fun.”

Her room is a sanctuary for relaxation and creativity. A custom cupholder shelf, built by her father, displays her collection of cups from around the world. It’s also where she keeps cherished mementos, like her navy-blue high school graduation hat, a Danish tradition adorned with greetings from friends and family and her final exam grade.

Starting the Day with Simplicity

Clara’s mornings begin with a simple yet satisfying breakfast of oatmeal, often topped with frozen fruit or fresh apples. It’s a wholesome start that fuels her for the day ahead. Like many young Danes, Clara is taking a gap year after high school, a common practice in Denmark. This gives her the flexibility to explore her interests without the structure of a typical 9-to-5 schedule.

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Biking Through a Cycle-Friendly City

Copenhagen’s reputation as the world’s most cycle-friendly city is no exaggeration, with over 400 kilometers of bike paths and more than 60% of residents cycling daily, even in the city’s chilly 9°C average temperature. For Clara, biking is second nature. “My bike is like any other accessory to my outfit. It’s just a part of me,” she says. She’s been cycling alone in Copenhagen since she was six, with only one minor accident in 14 years—a statistic she’s proud of.

The city’s focus on environmental sustainability resonates deeply with Clara. “I like living in a city where the environment is a huge part of our way of looking at the world,” she explains. This eco-conscious mindset is woven into Copenhagen’s urban fabric, from its green spaces to its waterfront and interconnected architecture.

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A Symbol of Freedom: Amalienborg

Clara’s day includes a visit to Amalienborg, the royal castle and residence of Denmark’s king and queen. While she’s not a staunch royalist, she appreciates the accessibility of the royal square, where anyone can bike or walk close to the buildings. “It’s a symbol of freedom and that we are free in Denmark,” she notes. “You don’t see that in so many other countries.”

Balancing Work and Dreams

To cover her living expenses and contribute a small rent to her parents, Clara works 15 to 20 hours a week managing a social media account focused on mental health. Earning 160 DKK (€22/$25) per hour, she’s learning to live within her means while pursuing her passions. “I’m trying to live on the amount of salary I get from this job,” she says.

Over lunch at the Danish Design Museum’s café, Clara catches up with her friend Liva, who is also taking a gap year. They discuss the excitement and uncertainty of this transitional phase. In Denmark, gap years are a cultural norm, offering young people time to explore their identities and aspirations. Clara plans to attend a højskole in the fall to study creative writing—a Danish boarding school for young adults focused on self-development without exams or grades. Liva, meanwhile, is preparing to travel across Europe.

“It’s scary,” Clara admits, reflecting on this pivotal time. “You’re told to do what you want, but there are also a lot of expectations. Now, we have to build our own way.” Liva agrees, noting the existential weight of these choices: “It feels so defining for the rest of your life.”

Family, Food, and Future Plans

In the afternoon, Clara meets her father, Rainer, when he returns from work. Originally from Germany, Rainer has lived in Denmark for over 20 years and supports his children’s gap years, a concept less common in his youth. “They’ll work for a long time, so I think they should explore life as much as they can now,” he says. Dinner is often home-cooked by Rainer, though the family enjoys takeout about twice a month.

Unlike many young Europeans, who leave home around age 27, Danes typically move out by 22. Clara, however, has no immediate plans to leave. “Rents in Copenhagen are extremely high, and I wouldn’t be able to afford to just move out now,” she explains. She cherishes her time with her family, knowing that once she moves out, it’s likely permanent. “We have a really strong relationship, and I want to enjoy the time I have with them,” she says.

A City of Opportunity and Balance

Clara’s day reflects the unique balance Copenhagen offers: a sustainable, safe, and vibrant city where young people can explore their futures while staying connected to their roots. From biking through its iconic streets to embracing hygge at home, Clara’s life captures the essence of Copenhagen’s charm and the freedom it affords its residents. As she bids farewell—“Farvel!”—Clara leaves us with a glimpse into a city that’s as dynamic and forward-thinking as the young people who call it home.

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