Guide: Explore Copenhagen

Where to stay

Something special about visiting Copenhagen is exploring the city's different neighbourhoods. Here, local communities and 'cities within the city' emerge, allowing you to experience vastly different areas within the city sign. Below, we’ve highlighted six different neighbourhoods to help you decide exactly where you want to wake up on your next visit to Copenhagen.

• In the heart of Copenhagen’s most diverse district, you’ll find Nørrebro - once named the world’s coolest neighborhood by Time Out magazine. The area is packed with culinary gems, independent design boutiques, and buzzing side streets like Elmegade and Jægersborggade. It is the ideal base for those who want to live in the middle of the city's creative pulse and experience the spirit of a local community.

• Experience the elegant heart of Copenhagen, where wide boulevards and beautiful parks offer a unique sense of calm in city. Frederiksberg is for those who dream of starting the day with a walk through Frederiksberg Gardens and spending the afternoon enjoying French delicacies on Værnedamsvej. It is a quiet sanctuary filled with refined charm, local specialty shops, and green oases that invite you to slow down and savor the moment.

• Experience Østerbro - the city’s stylish residential district, where wide boulevards and classic architecture set the stage for local life. Here, you’ll find a seamless balance between delicatessens, trendy restaurants, and historic landmarks like the Citadel. Østerbro is for those who want a central base near water, whether your day involves browsing local design boutiques, exploring modern art, or taking a scenic stroll along the waterfront at Langelinie.

• Christianshavn is the city’s atmospheric canal district, where historic warehouses and colorful facades are reflected in the water. The neighborhood offers a unique maritime soul, best experienced on foot along the quayside or from the water on a canal tour. Christianshavn is the perfect choice for those who dream of living amidst Copenhagen’s living history and maritime idyll, where cobbled streets and local culinary experiences wait just around the corner.

• Vesterbro has undergone a remarkable transformation, seamlessly blending its raw history with a modern urban lifestyle filled with design boutiques, art galleries, and cozy coffee shops. Explore the historic Meatpacking District, where gastronomy and creativity flourish side by side. Vesterbro is the ideal choice for those who want to live in a vibrant, creative neighbourhood, perfectly tucked between the buzz of central Copenhagen and the elegant charm of Frederiksberg.

• Where the vibrant pulse of the city meets the open horizon of Øresund, you’ll find Amagerbro. Here, classic apartment blocks and iconic yellow row houses blend with creative workshops and modern architectural landmarks. Amagerbro is for those who want to start the day with a walk along the harbor’s edge at Islands Brygge, discover hidden vintage gems, or experience the raw nature of Amager Fælled.

Explore all Landfolk Urban gems in Copenhagen.

Where to eat

Renowned worldwide, the Copenhagen food scene is a destination in itself, and for those seeking the absolute pinnacle of fine dining, the Michelin guide is your best companion. However, if you want to know where to find the perfect sourdough in the morning, coffee bars with world-class espresso, and the most authentic local bistros, we’ve gathered our favourite 'local-approved' spots. Just a tip: remember to book your table at the restaurants a few days ahead.

Start your day here

• Juno the Bakery – their cardamom buns are an absolute must!
• Lille Bakery at Refshaleøen offers not only wonderful bread but also a unique atmosphere in the heart of the old industrial shipyard.
• Hart Bageri is where you go for world-class, unpretentious pastries.
• If you are looking for a good cup of coffee Prolog and Coffee Collective are both highly recommended.
• And if you are looking for a perfect cup of tea or Matcha, Sing Tehus is an absolute must!

Where to enjoy your lunch break

• Grab a sandwich on the go – we recommend Helges Ost, Rosetta, and Elme Oste.
• Slagter Lund in Torvehallerne serves one of the best traditional Danish pork roast sandwiches (flæskestegssandwich) in the city.
• Poulette is the place to go for their famous Fried Chicken sandwich (as seen in the series The Bear).
• Tekno Eatery - be sure to try their ‘Dish of the Day.’
• Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at KISMET.
• At Restaurant Møntergade you can taste a classic piece of Danish smørrebrød in elegant surroundings.

Where to spend your evening

• Baka d’Busk always offers a wonderful atmosphere and serves some of the best vegetarian meals in the city.
• Propaganda is a Korean-inspired spot with an open kitchen - their Korean Fried Chicken is a must.
• Join a communal dinner at Folkehuset Absalon or Kanalhuset to enjoy a meal at long tables and share a conversation with your neighbor.
• Osteria 16, Graziano, and Locale21 are three Italian-inspired hidden gems.
• Diamond Rice is renowned for its highly authentic Chinese cuisine.
• Spend an evening in the atmospheric Meatpacking District - we recommend starting with seafood at Kødbyens Fiskebar, grabbing a craft beer at ÅBEN, and see where the night leads you.
• Bottega Estadio offers sharing plates inspired by Latin American flavors.

What to do

As you head out into the Copenhagen streets, we highly recommend hopping on a bike just like the locals do. Alternatively, the metro provides a quick and easy way to navigate most of the city. We’ll guide you toward the best local swimming spots and hidden cultural treasures.

• Unlike many other major cities, Copenhagen’s canals are clean enough for a refreshing dip. We recommend visiting La Banchina to soak up the summer sun, or joining the locals for a winter swim at Kalvebod Brygge.

• While you are near the water, you can continue your journey through the canals on a guided boat tour or take the helm yourself by renting a private boat through GoBoat.

• If you wish to dive into Copenhagen’s cultural treasures, we highly recommend visiting Designmuseum Danmark, Glyptoteket, Cisternerne, and ARKEN.

• A visit to the Freetown Christiania is a truly unique experience, where creative self-built homes and wild nature create a contrasting oasis in the heart of the city. Explore the peaceful paths along the historic ramparts, feel the alternative pulse of the colorful streets, and experience a cultural sanctuary unlike anywhere else in the world.

• Rent one of the many bikes scattered throughout the city and take a ride to the vibrant new Nordhavn district. Here, you’ll find charming little boutiques nestled alongside grand architectural landmarks along the waterfront.

Where to wander

When visiting a big city, you don't always need a minute-by-minute itinerary. Sometimes, the best way to experience a place is simply to 'be.' We recommend spending an afternoon in one of the areas below, where you can wander and let the local atmosphere decide your next move.

• Slow down and soak in the lush, peaceful surroundings of J.C. Jacobsen’s Garden, tucked away in the historic Carlsberg district. We recommend stopping by Coffee Collective for a freshly brewed cup to enjoy as you let the calm settle in on a stroll through the garden.

• A charming side street tucked away from the pulse of Nørrebro, Elmegade holds a truly special local atmosphere. This little oasis is lined with independent boutiques and cozy cafés, inviting you to slow down and discover unique finds alongside some of the neighbourhood’s best coffee.

• If you need a quiet moment away from the city buzz, head to Amager Strand for a relaxing break by the water. Alternatively, follow one of the trails across Amager Fælled and enjoy the wild landscape.
  Other lovely green oases and urban retreats include Enghaveparken, the Library Garden, or the historic Assistens Cemetery.

• Take a stroll down Værnedamsvej, where local boutiques, cozy coffee shops, and restaurants come together to create a truly unique atmosphere. Be sure to visit the little Italian oasis, Bottega di Graziano - a place that lives from the first espresso of the morning to a late-night negroni.