When you think about Copenhagen, perhaps the first things that spring to mind are the iconic images – the Little Mermaid, Tivoli and the streets teaming with bikes. It is true that Copenhagen is a beautiful city, but it is also a city of variety and character, as epitomised by its many distinctive neighbourhoods.
Copenhagen is divided into seven different boroughs, each with its own unique character and feeling. Whether you prefer shopping, nightlife, galleries or quiet, peaceful parklands, there is a place in Copenhagen to suit your mood.
The seven boroughs of Copenhagen are as follows.
Copenhagen City – Shopping, Dining and Museums
Known simply as ‘the City’ or downtown, this is the area you see pictured in all the tourist guides and postcards. Home to Nyhavn, where tourists and natives alike gather along the waterfront to eat, drink and have a good time, the City is alive with activity. The City, or København K as it is called by the Danes, is where you will find the famous shopping street, Strøget, home to Royal Copenhagen, Georg Jensen designs and a fabulous variety of shops selling everything from amber to furs to tacky souvenirs. The city is also a great place to eat out and enjoy an evening at one of its many bars and pubs.
The main train station in the City is Nørreport Station. From there you can either walk or take the Metro to Kongens Nytorv, where in the summer you will find open air markets and, in the winter, an outdoor skating rink.
The City is also home to the National Museum, the National Gallery and the art museum, Ny Carlsberg Glypotek.
Christianshavn – Canals, Fine Dining and Hippies
The Christianshavn district of Copenhagen is interlaced with pretty canals and bridges. This quiet area of Copenhagen boasts a real mix of cultures, from top designers, chefs, pensioners and hippies. Christianshavn is probably best known for being home to the ‘freetown’ of Christiania, a former military barracks that was taken over in the 1970s by a group of young idealists who formed their own community, a social experiment that exists to this day. The hippie enclave of Christiania has become a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the unconventional and alternative side of Denmark.
Christianshavn is a great place just to stroll among the canals and watch the boats. The area is teeming with 18th century warehouses, one of which houses the world’s best restaurant of 2010 and 2011, Noma. Christianshavn is also home to the Danish Architecture Centre and the elegant twisted spire of Our Saviour’s Church.
Nørrebro – Edgy and Diverse
The Nørrebro (North Bridge) district of Copenhagen is where you can find all the hipsters, students and immigrants mixing on a daily basis at its cafes and galleries. It is the most ethnically diverse section of the city, where immigrants from all over the world live and work. You won’t find any mainstream or chain restaurants or shops here. The neighbourhood has some of the funkiest independent shops and cafes in the city.
Popular hangout spots in Nørrebro include Sankt Hans Torv, Jægersborggade and Assistens Kirkegaard, a cemetery turned park where you can picnic among the graves of famous and not-so-famous dead.
Frederiksberg – Parklands, Peace and Wild Animals
Although not technically part of Copenhagen, despite being right in the centre of it, Frederiksberg is where Copenhageners go when they want to relax among leafy green parklands and just take it easy. Frederiksberg Garden, designed in the English romantic style, is the most popular spot in the area. On a sunny day, the park is crammed full of picnicking Danes enjoying a day out.
Frederiksberg is home to a castle, numerous parks, tree-lined avenues and bike paths. It is the place to go for a leisurely stroll before hitting the local night spots.
One of Europe’s oldest zoos, Copenhagen Zoo, is located right next to Frederiksberg Gardens. The zoo is noted for its state-of-the-art habitat for elephants. A 44 meter tower overlooking the zoo allows for the best view of the animals and park.
Vesterbro – Rough, Working Class, yet Hip
Vesterbro (West Bridge) used to mainly be known for being the seedy side of Copenhagen, with Istedgade being the city’s Red Light District. But beyond the sex shops, the neighbourhood has undergone a transformation and is now one of the hippest areas in town. Istedgade and the former meat-packing district, Kødbyen, now offer a choice of cafes, galleries and nightclubs.
Another popular area in Vesterbro is Søndre Boulevard, which is home to a number of cafes and delis. And Absalonsgade in Vesterbro is home to Denmark’s first ‘cafe cinema,’ Vester Vov Vov, a gathering place for students and film buffs.
Vesterbro is also home to Copenhagen’s main train station and the famous amusement park, Tivoli.
Østerbro – Lakes, Recreation and the Little Mermaid
Østerbro (East Bridge) is a quieter, more residential area of Copenhagen. But despite its staid reputation, it is also home to Fælledparken, one of the most popular parks in the city for outdoor sports and concerts. Denmark’s national stadium, Parken, is also located in Østerbro and is home to the Danish national football team and hosts numerous concerts and events.
Along the waterfront of Langelinie in Østerbro is where you can find the iconic statue of the Little Mermaid.
Islands Brygge – Swimming, Sports and Harbour Activities
Islands Brygge, also known simply as Bryggen, offers a great view of the city from its harbour. On warm sunny days, it is a popular destination for swimming and sporting activities in its harbour bath and open lawns. If you happen to be in Copenhagen on a hot summer day, it is a great place to go for a quick dip and lunch.
Copenhagen – Something for Everyone
With opportunities for dining, shopping, relaxing and just hanging out, Copenhagen offers visitors plenty of places to choose from, depending on their mood.
Beth MacMillan - Beth MacMillan fulfilled her dream of living and traveling in Europe when she, her husband and their two dogs moved to Denmark in 2001 for ...
