Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl: “That’s where I really feel at peace”

Posted: 26. marts 2026Reading time: 4 min.

My Copenhagen: TV host Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl loves discovering the city’s quiet corners—those little pockets of space where Copenhagen opens up and takes a moment to breathe a little more calmly.

Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl, TV host, author, moderator, and co-owner of a mental health media MELIO. Lives in Østerbro. Follow Sara Maria on @saramariafm and saramaria.dk. Foto: Franne Voigt

1. When does Copenhagen feel most like your city?

"For me, it’s early in the morning, when the city is still a bit quiet and the light is just beginning to touch the facades. It’s been a while since I’ve gone for a morning run, but I love running through the neighborhoods before everything gets going. That’s when I really feel the calm—as if Copenhagen gives you space to take a deeper breath before the pace picks up."

It’s a place where Copenhagen feels alive—and a little bigger than it actually is.

Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl

2. What place in the city do you always return to?

"I love how you can glide through Copenhagen from the water. Sailing, mooring, going ashore somewhere new. Reffen is one of those places I don’t visit often enough, but always return to with joy. There’s something raw and free about it. Like a little break from the routine. As if the city loosens up a bit out there."

3. What hidden gem in the city is almost too good to share?

"Værnedamsvej has always held a special place in my heart. That feeling of a little city within the city—French, lively, a bit slower-paced. I love walking there without really having anywhere to go. Just soaking up the atmosphere, maybe grabbing a coffee, maybe something sweet, and feeling how the city is allowed to be a little indulgent. And one very special thing about it is that you can turn away from it all in a split second and suddenly find yourself somewhere completely different.

Landbohøjskolens Have is like a little secret world. As soon as you step inside, the pace slows down. Trees, quiet paths, green spaces—it’s as if the city takes a deep breath. It’s the combination I love: the modern, the vibrant, the bustling—and then the quiet, green respite right next door."

With My Copenhagen, we take you on a surprising journey through the city, where well-known Copenhageners and local legends share their hidden gems.

4. What’s your best tip for a unique experience in Copenhagen?

"The lakes have always been my running route in the city. That circle where the city and life merge with the water. I’ve run there during so many periods of my life—at high speed, lost in thought, at a leisurely pace. There’s something special about following the water’s path while Copenhagen reflects itself and shifts its pace around you. It feels like running in the midst of both nature and the big city at the same time."

5. Which metro station is your favorite?

"Kongens Nytorv is like stepping onto a stage. You emerge from the underground and suddenly find yourself surrounded by layers of history, art, and life. The Royal Theater whispers tales, Nyhavn sparkles with people and activity, Charlottenborg brings art into the city, and there are great cafés serving delicacies and lovely shops in the small, hidden streets. It’s a place where Copenhagen feels alive—and a little bigger than itself."

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