Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a fascinating city. It's both a port town and a sprawling metropolis all in one. A bustling city where work and play go hand-in-hand, making for a more pleasant atmosphere than in other destinations around the world. Not to mention its preservation of heritage all while moving forward with modern society. With all this in mind, wouldn't you want to explore Copenhagen yourself? Wouldn't you want to know more about the different neighborhoods that make up the Danish capital? Well, here's a guide of the central districts in Copenhagen that you need to know about!
Christianshavns
Picturesque doesn't even begin to describe Copenhagen's Christianshavns neighborhood. Located along the coasts of Holmen island right by the city's canals, this idyllic district has long attracted tourists over the years. The colorful houses fascinate with their bright hues and almost perfect symmetry, rivaling those in
Amsterdam. And don't think that just because this place is by the canal, it's a peaceful area in the Danish capital. On the contrary, the waters remain busy with ferries, boats, and the like sailing by. An scenic look into the local lifestyle here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Frederiksberg
Practially every city has at least one or two upscale neighborhoods and Copenhagen is no exception. In this bustling city, Frederiksberg serves as the affluent district. A series of fine dining restaurants, designer brand boutiques, and even its own namesake grand palace make up the area. The homes are luxurious while sports cars and limousines drive about, making the neighborhood seem like it's a world away from all the others. But what's most notable about Frederiksberg is its botanical bliss too. From parks with lucsious greeneries to sidewalk trees and mini-gardens, you won't see a scarcity of Mother Nature in this part of the Danish capital.
Source: Flickr.com/ La Citta Vita
Freetown Christiania
Similarly to
Paris' Montmartre neighborhood or New York's Brookyln borough, Freetown Christiania is the hipster haven of Copenhagen. In fact, it even goes way beyond the aforementioned districts from other cities. The Christiana area used to serve as a military base back in the early 20th century. Around 1970s, however, the hippie movement took over and what remained of the barracks became cafes, bakeries, vegan and vegetarian restaurants, and the like. Freetown Christiania is also known as the 'green-light district' of the capital city; the place to get your cannabis fix. Though it’s technically not legal, it’s tolerated here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Franklin Heijnen
Kødbyen
Kødbyen, also known as the 'Meatpacking District,' has a lot in common with the famous
New York area that bears the same moniker. Just like its Manhattan counterpart, this neighborhood is the nightlife hub of Copenhagen. A string of bars, bistros, cafes, and more dominate the area, making it the go-to place for happy hour and the like. If you stay here well into the night, you'll also get to see the underground clubs that open come midnight. Up for some fun? Kødbyen is your kind of place!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Fred Romero
Nørrebro
As with every other major city, there's always that one area that most expats have called home. In Copenhagen's case, it's Nørrebro. Most of the Danish capital's international communities have settled down in this area, making it among the most colorful on the list. Not only will you get to hear different languages spoken here, you'll also get to taste the different flavors of the world, learn about other countries' cultures, and more. Street culture is alive and well in Nørrebro so you won't want to miss passing by here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Latin Quarter
Just like the
one in Paris, Copenhagen has its own Latin Quarter and it's just as bohemian as you'd think. Simalrly to its Parisian counterpart, this neighborhood has become the artistic hub of the Danish capital. Many of the city's creatives call this home, from authors and painters to intellectuals and digital artists. The many cozy coffee shops, bookstores, and the like each serve as melting pots of different ideas. You'll likely see many of them working hard, getting into heated debates, and more here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Orf3us
Nyhavn
Second only to Christianshavns, the beautiful neighborhood of Nyhavn is probably among the most photographed parts of Copenhagen. It's the most tourist-friendly district in the city, full of classic townhouses with their tall chimneys, cobblestone streets, and a colorful harbor where a myriad of ships and ferries dock every day. Most notably, fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen once lived here for around 20 years of his life. It's highly likely he got inspired to write many of his beloved tales while he looked toward the busy harbor from his window.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Østerbro
Perhaps, out of all the central nieghborhoods in Copenhagen, Østerbro is the most relaxing. Not in the sense that it's a quiet part of the city. Though the area is largely residential, things are just as busy here as they are in the other districts. But the neighborhood is relaxing in the sense that you can live a peaceful life here if you choose to relocate to Copenhagen and call this area your new home. From the nature-filled parks to the wide sidewalks perfect for riding your bike, you can live the good life here in Østerbro.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Leif Jørgensen
Refshaleøen
Although Refshaleøen may still look like the industrial port it used to be, it's long become one of the hippest parts of the Danish capital. Food markets, cafes, and snack stalls now make up most of this coastal area; a fun hang-out amidst the cargoe ships and warehouses. The area often hosts all sorts of festivals, mini-concerts, parties and more, attracting both the young and young-at-heart. Fortunately, even though it's by the port of the city, Refshaleøen is still easy to get to via public transport.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ News Oresund
Vesterbro
You'll need to have a more liberated mindset if you want to wander off into Vesterbro. The area serves as the city's red-light district, made up of a series nightclubs, sex shops, and all kinds of serves in-between. However, don't think that just because this place serves such a purpose, you won't find have any (non-sexual) fun here. On the contrary, the many foodie hotspots and fun hangouts have made it a friendlier place to visit.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
There's a lot to look forward to in Copenhagen. The city's many districts alone have their own unique charms to offer, as well as a few secrets worth uncovering. Simply put, you're guaranteed to have fun exploring the Danish capital!
