With around a million inhabitants, Copenhagen is large enough to be a cosmopolitan centre and small enough to explore during a city break. Each of its districts has a distinct personality, from the designer boutiques of Frederiksberg to the maritime atmosphere of Christianshavn, so take a look at our guide and decide where to book your apartment in Copenhagen.
Beautiful houses on the Nyhavn Canal. Photo by Benson Kua (FlickrCC)
Historical Indre By (Copenhagen City Centre)
Beautiful architecture and Denmark’s best shopping
A great base for a city break in Copenhagen, Indre By is the ancient heart of the city and stuffed full of bars, cafes and restaurants. It is small enough to explore many of the most popular tourist destinations on foot, while having enough crooked streets, cute parks and winding canals to ensure you’ll definitely get lost a few times.
- Stroll around the lakeside Botanical Garden, which contains Denmark’s largest collection of plants from around the world
- Scandinavian design is world-famous and the Danish Design Centre hosts exhibitions over five floors, showcasing innovative new design as well as the classics
- No visit to Copenhagen would be complete without at least half a day at Tivoli, the world-famous pleasure gardens, open since 1843
- One of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe, Strøget has everything from chain stores to designer shops. Because there is no traffic, it is a surprisingly chilled out area to browse for an afternoon
Down to Earth Vesterbro
Rough and ready central district with plenty of charm and some great restaurants
Just west of the city centre sits Vesterbro, a previously seedy part of the city that has benefited from recent renovation, although it is still by no means fully gentrified.
- The official museum of the city, the Museum of Copenhagen gives a fascinating insight into the history of the area and is housed in an attractive mansion
- Beer lovers should head to the Carlsberg Visitors Centre, which is situated at the location of the first Carlsberg Brewery. Try a hand-crafted beer from the Jacobsen House Brewery (your ticket to the Centre gets you a free drink)
- The cluster of buildings and streets that make up Vesterbro’s Meatpacking District is the area’s cultural quarter. It’s packed with galleries, bars and great restaurants and a great spot for a night out
CPH’s otherwordly Central Station. Photo by Stig Nygaard (FlickrCC)
Cool Christianshavn
Cool bars, hipster cafes and a very relaxed vibe
With its charming narrow streets of colourful old houses, Christianshavn is a very pleasant area to use as a base for a holiday. It is also home to the famous – some might say notorious – self-governed community of Christiana.
- The unique autonomous community of Freetown Christiania is a must-visit for open-minded tourists. Its 80 acres are home to 850 permanent residents, who are governed by the Christiania Law of 1989. This differs from Danish law in certain regards: most famously regarding the legality of cannabis and other drugs. Its strict environmental policies, homemade houses, car-free streets and abundance of alternative music venues, cafes and galleries make for a very charming and special place, perfect for a wander
- If the sun is shining, rent a boat from the Christianshavn Bådudlejning & Cafe and have a lazy afternoon exploring the canals
- For something connected to the area’s naval past, take a look at the Royal Danish Naval Museum which houses a collection of model ships going back to 1670
The entrance to Freetown Christiana (iStock)
Chic Østerbro
Kid-friendly and very green, with cute galleries, organic food and decent coffee
One of the more expensive residential areas in the city, Østerbro is clean, safe and the perfect area to stay for young families.
- Fælledparken is Denmark’s largest public park and contains everything for a sunny day from playgrounds to a beach park. It is also home to the famous Little Mermaid statue – while it is much smaller than you might expect it is still worth checking out, if only to tick off the list of “must sees” – but read Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale first!
- Just behind the Little Mermaid is the impressive Kastellet Citadel, a well preserved fortress
- The Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art is one of the oldest centres of its type in Denmark and fascinating for anyone with even a passing interest in modern art and architecture
Lively Nørrebro
Vibrant, multi-cultural and value for money
Speedily becoming one of the hippest districts in Copenhagen, Nørrebro is perfect for visitors who want their dive bars next door to their sushi bars. Rummage around vintage shops in the day and find the latest cool spot to hang out in the evening.
- Denmark’s first open air gallery, Airplay Street Gallery, is at the corner of Sct Hans Gade and Ravnsborggade, in a small green square. It displays photography and digital art
- Head to LiteraturHaus, Denmark’s first live literature venue, for readings from Danish and international writers, discussions about arts and literature and events focused on music and film
- For something a little different, check out the Barbie Doll Museum at Borups Alle with ones of the world’s best collections of Barbie dolls. You need to make an appointment in advance with the owner
A couple chilling in a Nørrebro park. Photo by News Oresund (FlickrCC)
Wealthy Frederiksberg
Huge green spaces, big houses and a top foodie destination
One of the most fashionable areas of Copenhagen, with a price tag to match, Frederiksberg is a beautiful and urbane place to stay for those with an eye for the finer things in life.
- One of the oldest zoos in Europe, Copenhagen Zoo is a good family day out. Its new Elephant House was designed by Norman Foster, so it is perfect for architecture groupies and animal lovers alike
- Grab some nibbles at Værnedamsvej – Frederiksberg’s “foodie” street on the border with Vesterbro – a delightful stretch of specialist food stores, cafes and restaurants
- Take a picnic down to Frederiksberg Have, one of the largest and oldest parks in the city. Rent a boat for a row around the canals or just relax on the grass and admire the beautiful landscaping
Photo of the Danish poet Adam Oehlenschläger in Frederiksberg Garden (iStock)
Forward Thinking Ørestad
Fascinating modern architecture, built close to nature and water
- Ørestad is a relatively new area of the city, built on the island of Amager. Its excellent transport links into the city (seven minutes by train to Copenhagen Central station), and to the Copenhagen Airport, make it an attractive place to stay for a short break. The housing designs were put out to an international architectural competition in 1994, giving the area a unique and design-led look.
- Copenhagen’s international concert house, DR Koncerthuset, is an incredible feat of architecture, with images projected onto a transparent screen at the front, making it seem that the building is in motion.
- Grab your towel and head to the Harbour Bath at Islands Brygge for outdoor swimming in the city. There are five pools to choose from, including three diving towers. During the winter some of the decking is moved to make room for saunas
Whatever district you think will suit you best, Wimdu can guarantee a great selection of properties there.
