Neighbourhoods in Copenhagen

Copenhagen consists of many different neighbourhoods. Most are only 20 minutes away from the city centre by bike or public transport.

Different neighbourhoods in Copenhagen

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The city centre, Christianshavn and Holmen

The city centre is one of the most expensive districts to live in Copenhagen. The area is pleasant and the old quarter is found here. There are many expensive owner-occupied apartments and exclusive addresses. This area also attracts many tourists, especially around the 1.1 km long pedestrian street ‘Strøget’.

Christianshavn is located next to the canal on the other side of the harbour south of the city centre. It is also an expensive and popular area with a cosy feel and trendy cafes and bars along the canal. Christiania is also located in this area.

Holmen is a former base for the Danish navy that has developed into an exclusive residential area and a new neighbourhood with creative educational institutions and the Royal Danish Opera House. 

Nørrebro

Nørrebro is located north of the city centre and is easily accessible. The area is laid back and full of life, and is the most multicultural part of Copenhagen. Here you find trendy cafes, bars and many restaurants.

Housing options in Nørrebro consist primarily of cooperative housing, owner-occupied apartments and state-subsidised housing association apartments. This mix in housing makes Nørrebro accessible for most people, and it’s one of the districts where you still can find small apartments at affordable prices.

Østerbro and Nordhavn

The north-eastern part of Copenhagen is very residential. Many families live here and most of the embassies are also located in the area. The atmosphere is exclusive and spacious in most parts and the apartments can be very fashionable.

There are many green areas and good shopping facilities, and the area is very popular.

Nordhavn is a relatively new residential neighbourhood. The area is characterised by newly built housing facing out over the Øresund. Sustainable housing and offices, cafes and restaurants have replaced the heavy industry of the past. 

Vesterbro, Carlsberg and Kongens Enghave

Vesterbro is located five minutes from the city centre by bike. The area is popular with young people, and is laid back with plenty of cultural life. Here you will find second-hand shops, designer labels and underground bands. The area is very attractive to live in, so prices can be very high.

Carlsberg City District is a small area in Vesterbro. The area is named after the Carlsberg brewery, which was based here from 1847 - 2008. Over the next 15-20 years, the Carlsberg grounds will be transformed into a new neighbourhood. In the meantime many cultural institutions including dance theatres, a concert venue and art galleries have moved in, and the public space, which also includes romantic gardens, is often the venue for cultural events and street parties.

As a residential neighbourhood, Sydhavn is a recent development. Here new, contemporary buildings in steel and glass rub shoulders with cosy old wooden fishing huts. The old part consists primarily of small rented apartments and the new part of owner-occupied apartments set directly on the waterfront in Sluseholmen and Teglholmen. There are also allotments and houseboats to be found in the area. 

Amager West and Ørestad

Amager is a large island located on the other side of the harbour south of the city centre. The area has both newly built apartments and older parts, and you can also find Copenhagen Harbour Baths here, in Islands Brygge, as well as one of the biggest green areas in Copenhagen, Amager Fælled. 

The area offers both old and new apartments, which can vary a lot in prices, as well as detached houses. The area is generally attractive and can therefore be expensive.

Ørestad is home to the award-winning residential buildings VM Mountain and 8Tallet designed by the architect Bjarke Ingels (of the architectural studio BIG). Many families and students live here. 

Amager East

The area is located on the island of Amager on the other side of the harbour. In this area you find Amager Strandpark, where you can go swimming in the summer.

This area offers many different types of homes; apartments, detached houses, house-shares, etc. Some places are very popular, but if you get further away from the city centre you can find relatively cheap housing available.

Valby

The district borders on trendy Vesterbro to the east. Valby is pleasant and feels like a village in the city, as there are many detached houses and local shops, a cosy atmosphere and big green areas.

In Valby you can find all types of homes: detached houses, old houses, apartments etc. The area used to be slightly cheaper than other parts of Copenhagen but has seen prices increase in recent years.

Vanløse

Vanløse is a district a little further out from the city centre. Recreation here centres around Damhussøen, one of the biggest lakes in Copenhagen.

Vanløse is a pleasant, relatively green suburb, as it is primarily a residential neighbourhood. Here you can live in a house with a garden close to the city centre, and the prices are often lower than in the rest of Copenhagen.

Brønshøj, Husum and Tingbjerg

These districts are located quite a distance north of the city centre. The districts are very different; a common feature is them all however is the proliferation of detached houses and large green areas.

Especially in Brønshøj homes can be expensive, but apart from that the area has various types of housing, both detached villas and high-rise apartments. The prices are often cheaper than in the rest of Copenhagen.

Bispebjerg

Bispebjerg is located north of Nørrebro and here you also find a diverse culture, with both underground culture and green areas. You can also find some of the cheapest apartments in Copenhagen; however, these can be rather small.