ILLUM, Copenhagen Travel Guide

ILLUM rises above the crossroads of Strøget and Købmagergade, Copenhagen’s most famous pedestrian shopping streets, its clean-lined façade opening into a polished world of fashion, beauty and design. Inside, escalators and bright atriums lead you through an orderly maze of rails and displays, where global names sit alongside contemporary Scandinavian labels.The atmosphere feels more like a curated gallery of style than a simple mall. Light floors, glass balustrades and understated signage keep the focus on the products, while large windows frame glimpses of Amagertorv’s square and the constant flow of life outside.

The ILLUM story began in 1891, when Anton Carl Illum opened a small shop specialising in sewing items and dress accessories for the city’s fashionable women. As Copenhagen grew, so did the business, and by the turn of the century it had moved into the corner site it still occupies today.Over the decades, the store expanded floor by floor, reinventing itself several times to keep pace with new shopping habits. Mid‑century refurbishments introduced modern department store ideas, while later transformations turned it into a fully fledged shopping centre with more than a hundred individual boutiques under one roof.

Today’s ILLUM is organised vertically, with whole floors dedicated to different facets of urban life. Women’s fashion fills a large upper level, from luxury maisons to contemporary Scandinavian designers and everyday wardrobe staples, while men’s collections run from sharp tailoring to relaxed streetwear.Elsewhere, you find sneakers and leather shoes, accessories, jewellery and watches, beauty halls stacked with international cosmetics and organic skincare, and sections for sportswear, athleisure and children’s clothing. Personal shopping suites and style advisors help time‑pressed visitors navigate the sheer breadth of choice.

Descend to the basement and the mood shifts from fashion to flavour. ILLUM Underground functions as an upscale food market, blending gourmet grocery counters with casual eateries, bakeries and specialist producers. Open kitchens dish up salads, dumplings and sandwiches, while coffee bars and juice stands keep the energy levels high.Glass cases brim with cheeses, charcuterie and fresh produce, and there is often an emphasis on quality ingredients and Danish culinary craftsmanship. It is a convenient place to assemble a picnic, sample Nordic baked goods or pause for a quick meal between shops without leaving the building.

On the top floor, the department store opens out into a rooftop universe of restaurants, bars and terraces. Here, tables are clustered along glass fronts and balconies that look towards the copper roofs and towers of Christiansborg Palace and across the surrounding rooftops.In good weather the outdoor seating offers a classic Copenhagen combination: city panoramas, a light breeze from the harbour and a laid‑back, candlelit atmosphere that can stretch long into the evening. Even on cooler days, the rooftop is a welcoming place for coffee, dessert or a relaxed drink after a day on Strøget.

Beyond its headline attractions, ILLUM is designed for comfort and ease. Wide corridors, lifts and escalators link each level, and seating nooks are scattered between departments. Digital and physical information points, clear floor maps and multilingual signage help you orient yourself quickly.Extended opening hours from late morning into the evening make it easy to fold a visit into a day of sightseeing, a business trip or an after‑work wander. Whether you are hunting a specific brand, sheltering from the weather or simply curious about contemporary Danish style, this refined city‑centre institution offers a polished, all‑in‑one snapshot of modern Copenhagen living.