A Guide to Copenhagen's 8 Coolest Neighbourhoods

Brimming with galleries, tattoo studios, chic restaurants, underground bars and music venues, Vesterbro has earned the title of the hippest district in Copenhagen. For a long time, it was known as a working-class neighbourhood, but over the years it became the city’s skid row. Vesterbro is still home to the occasional seamy places, but it’s now mostly popular for its trendy hostels, organic restaurants, and independent shops. ”Copenhageners often go to this area for its bars and nightlife and to shop for vintage sneakers and the like,” says local tour guide Martin Thomsen, adding: ”The Red Light District adds colour and grittiness to this old working-class neighbourhood, though gentrification now threatens to change Vesterbro forever.”

Kødbyen is located within Vesterbro, just a few minutes from Copenhagen Central Station, but it’s worth mentioning for its distinct style. Former slaughterhouses have been renovated and turned into restaurants, bars and art studios in the area. And now, Copenhagen’s most stylish crowd comes here for evening cocktails, dinner in a fashionable restaurant or a takeaway burger, before heading to one of the district’s underground clubs. ”The Meatpacking District is one of my favourite areas in Copenhagen for going out – whether it’s an after-work drink, dinner or dancing the night away, you’ll be sure to find a great spot here,” recommends Laura Berg Deleuran of the lifestyle blog The Copenhagen Tales. ”My favourites are Hija de Sanchez for the authentic tacos, and Warpigs – great beers, great rock music and great barbecue. …I come back for the hush puppies alone!”

One of the oldest districts in Copenhagen’s Indre By (inner city), the Latin Quarter’s name stems from the Latin language that was still spoken at the nearby university in the neighbourhood’s early days. This colourful section of the old town, which is tucked away just off the tourist track of the Strøget pedestrian street, is Copenhagen’s Bohemian quarter, a diverse community that’s a gathering place for artistic types. The area is home to an eclectic mix of hip independent shops, cosy coffee houses, and lively cafés. One of the most bustling hubs of the Latin Quarter is the Next Door Café, which serves up homemade food in a lively atmosphere and welcomes a diverse mixture of customers daily. Café owner Skyler Rowland’s love of this area is obvious: ”Living and working in the Latin Quarter is like being in one big family,” he enthuses. ”Love, respect, and support can be found at every corner. A neighbourhood filled with such an eclectic group of people – all coming together to work and live beside one another. The Latin Quarter is a gift to be cherished!” We think the best way to get introduced to the area is on a bike or Segway tour.

Just across the lakes from Copenhagen’s city centre lies lively Nørrebro. Its main street of Nørrebrogade is a buzzing spot, and along it lies Assistens Cemetery, a tranquil oasis that also happens to be the burial place of Hans Christian Andersen, alongside other famous Danes. But one of the most popular streets in the area is Jægersborggade, whose food offerings range from nitrogen ice cream at Istid to some of the high-end restaurants this city is famous for. Another wander-worthy Nørrebro street is Ravnsborggade, with its interesting assortment of vintage and secondhand shops. Guide Martin Thomsen thinks Nørrebro has so much to offer, and his company Gopenhagen Tours has launched a walking tour of this less-traveled neighbourhood. ”This is the most diverse area in the city: some 55 nationalities share only four square kilometres,” Thomsen says, continuing: ”the area is hip and very young and the best area of Copenhagen for a walk – full of stories and secrets, amazing courtyards, beautiful parks and cool shops.”

Christiania was established the in the 1970s, when a former military base on Christianshavn was occupied by a group of hippies. Best known for its Green Light District and the marijuana stalls of Pusher Street, it actually has much more to offer. There’s creative bakeries, vegetarian restaurants, underground gig venues and smoky jazz bars. ”The fact that Christiania still exists is a little miracle and proof of Danish tolerance,” explains guide Martin Thomsen. ”The inhabitants have staved off the outside world for decades, building a community which now serves as an inspiration for hippy communities around the world. They host some 3,000 events a year. It is free to enter and is one of the most-visited tourist sites in Denmark, but you should consider joining a guided tour to really understand it.” Christiania residents offer tours of their community daily during the summer months and on weekends year-round; outside tours are not permitted.