Copenhagen/Christianshavn

Christianshavn is an artificial island, erected in the swampy area between what is now the Inner city and the island of Amager, by King Christian the 4th, as a grand unification of his mad dash of construction projects, and his ambitions to develop Denmark into a major Naval power.
The district was built as part of the southern fortification of Copenhagen in the early 17th century. It was designed in the image of Amsterdam, with a canal cutting straight through the center - from this point Danish merchants were to expand trade over the seven seas, a heritage that is still very visible today, with the forest of masts from the sailing ships docked along the canal, and the century old watering holes of sailors still handing out beers and snaps to thirsty passers by.
In the early days Christianshavn was an independent city, until it was swallowed by the rapidly expanding capital, but to this day retains a unique atmosphere - and the people refer to themselves at Christianhavners first, and then as Copenhageners. In many ways Christianshavn is still a small town in a big city. Diversity is thriving here, and the district has managed to embrace people from all walks of life; from the alcoholic sipping beer at the corner, to the marketing yuppie, and form its own special identity stemming from this diversity.

Christianshavn and the subdistrict of Holmen are on a peninsula stretching out north through the old fortifications. Because it is virtually surrounded by water, the only access is across the Knippelsbro Bridge and the dam to Amager. It is entirely located within Zone 1 of the common ticketing system of the Metro, trains and buses. If you prefer not to pay for mass transit, it is a pleasant 10-minute walk from Strøget on Amagertorv, past the parliament, and over the Knippelsbro Bridge.

By bus

The backbone of bus transport in central Copenhagen are the A buses operated by Movia, which run every few minutes throughout the day. The S Buses are express buses that operate on longer lines, with fewer stops. Christianshavn's Square is the major stop, with stops by 3 different buslines, and interchange to the Metro.

• 2A Starts at the Tingbjerg district in the North Western part of Copenhagen, and runs through downtown, with stops at Rådhuspladen (the central square) and the central station, before it crosses the harbour, and runs through Christianshavn on Torvegade, with stops at Asiatisk Plads (Ministry of foreign affairs) and the Metro station on Christianshavn Square. It terminates at Kastrup metro station on Amager.
• 9A Starts at Glostrup Station in the suburb of Glostrup, west of Copenhagen. Run through Rødovre, Vanløse and Frederiksberg before reaching inner city with stops on Copenhagen Central Station and Christiansborg. It then crosses Knippelsbro bridge, and stops at Christianshavn Square before passing Christiania and ends at Refshaleøen.
• 350S Begins its journey in the suburb of Herlev, north west of Copenhagen. And runs through the inner city with stops on Nørreport station and Kongens Nytorv square, before it crosses Knippelsbro bridge, and stops at Christianshavn Square. It continues onwards to Amager, and terminates in picturesque Dragør south of the Airport.

By metro

The M1 or M2 metro lines stop at Christianshavn, located in the center of the district at Christianshavn Square. Interchange between the S-train system and the metro is provided at Nørreport station.

By boat

The water busses (Bus 901 and 902) have to stops on Holmen (Holmen nord and Opera).
The water busses only sail in the summer.
You can sail in your own boat to Lynetten Marina.
The Canal-Tour Waterbus have several stops on holmen.

By bus

Bus line 9A enters Christianshavn over the Knippels bridge, from the city centre, and turns north at Christianshavns square, along Prinsessegade - where it stops at Vor Frelsers church, and Christianias main entrance, from where it continues on the bridge across to Holmen and terminates at Refshaleøen.

By bike

Christianshavn's small, quiet streets are excellent for sightseeing on a bike, and the free citybike system covers the entire district, there are stalls at Christianshavn torv, Asiatisk Plads (near the ministry of foreign affairs), Church of our Saviour, at the main entrance to Christiania, and the central square of Holmen.

Christianshavn's main attraction, is actually Christianshavn itself. It bears some resemblance to Amsterdam, with its quiet streets branching out from the main canal, flanked by old houses, in bright colours, some dating back to 18th century - one of the photogenic ones is Amagergade on the right side of the main street, at the end nearest the dam to Amager. And of course the green oasis of the free town Christiania, with its creative home build houses, covered in its own guide.

• Christiania

  Christiania has since its establishment in a former military area in 1971 been a partially self governed and semi legal community of 85 acres, today with more than 1,000 inhabitants and more than a million people visiting every year. Christiania contains bars, cafes, restaurants and concert venues. Christinia is car free with small paths and a lot of green and water areas. Staden has throughout the years been a subject for controversy. The political pressure for legalisation and normalisation has increased over recent years and negotiations on the future of the area are ongoing. In September of 2016, residents tore down "pusher street" after a fatal shooting occurred during a drug bust. They have asked visitors to buy their cannabis somewhere else, and do not want the dealers to return. As of October 2016, the dealers were still gone, the street was clear, and you were free to take pictures. As of June 2018 the drug dealers are back, and photos are NOT welcome.

• Dansk Arkitektur Center

  phone: +45 3257 1930
  address: Strandgade 27B
  Each year, 5-10 exhibitions on Danish and foreign architecture can been seen here. Conferences, lectures and guided tours are held in connection with exhibitions.

• Nordatlantens brygge

  phone: +45 32 83 37 00
  address: Strandgade 91
  Nordatlantens Brygge is a cultural house where you can experience culture and arts from the North Atlantic region. Housed in an old dock building, there are 3 exhibition halls with changing exhibitions, performances and lectures.

• Overgaden, institut for samtidskunst

  phone: +45 32 57 72 73
  address: Overgaden Neden Vandet 17
  Established in 1986 by a group of local artists, Overgaden has for more than two decades been among the leading non-profit exhibition spaces for contemporary art in Copenhagen.

• Skibene på Holmen

  phone: +45 33 11 60 37
  address: Elefanten, Nyholm
  A collection of 3 cold war warships; The large Frigate Peder Skram, The last Danish submarine Sælen famed for her participation in the War on Iraq in 2003 and protection of Norwegian waters during the Cold War. Also on display is P 547 Sehested, the last fast attack boat in the Royal Danish Navy. Apart of the summer opening, the ships are open during most school breaks, and for larger groups at any time of year.

• Spejdermuseet

  phone: +45 32 64 00 59
  address: Arsenalvej 100
  Housed in a 250 years old arsenal building, this museum showcases the history of the Scouts movement in Denmark, all the way back to the early beginnings in 1905, through models, old equipment, posters etc.

• Treschows Stiftelse

  address: Overgaden oven Vandet 76-82
  This listed building complex was erected in 1850s to provide housing for women in need by what was later to become the Treschow foundation, created by the Copenhagen attorney Frederik Treschow of the famous Treschow family. Finding your way to the buildings may be a bit of a challenge, but you will be rewarded by the serene atmosphere that remains there.

• Christianshavns MoundChristianshavns Mound is part of Copenhagen's old defense system. It is now an excellent area for a walk surrounded by green and water, passing a number of historical buildings, cafes and restaurants. Christianshavns Mound was built by Christian IV in 1618-23 and was further developed in the following centuries. The defense purpose ceased towards the end of the 19th century and public access to the area was successively established in 1961.

• Christianshavns bådudlejning of café

  phone: +45 32 96 53 53
  address: Overgaden neden Vandet 29
  Interesting mix of a café on a floating dock in the canal, that also rents out rowing boats for sailing in the canals of Christianshavn. Also sells picnic baskets for the boats.

• Kajak ole

  phone: +45 40 50 40 06
  address: Strandgade 50
  This outfit conducts guided kayaking tours around the canals of Christianshavn and Holmen. The owner is a nice friendly dude, that has been doing his tours for more than 10 years. the 3 standard tours ranges between 1½-3 hours, but you can also request special individual tours. Also arranges hilarious kayak water polo games.

• The Operahouse

  phone: +45 33 69 69 33
  address: Ekvipagemestervej 10
  Opened in 2005 in a striking building overlooking the harbor, designed by world renowned architect Henning Larsen. Mainly hosts operas, but occasionally shows contemporary music concerts, and plays. For operas there are always 25 tickets reserved for selling on the day.

• Vor Frelsers Kirke

  phone: +45 32 54 68 83
  address: Sankt Annæ Gade 29
  Climb the 400 steps to the top of the spire of the church for panoramic views of Copenhagen. The last steps are on the outside of the spire. Rumor has it that that the designer throw himself out the tower, when he discovered the rotation of the stairs was the wrong way, so that sword fights would have to be fought with the left hand, however the spiraling stairs was meant to symbol the ascend into heaven.

Shopping possibilities on Christianshavn aren't as extensive as in other parts of Copenhagen, but there several small and interesting stores dotted around Christianshavn's quite side streets, and on Christiania. Groceries can be bought in the Super Brugsen on the Christianshavns Torv, Christianshavns central square where the metro station is located.

• Ceramic Studio and Shop

  phone: +45 32 96 29 20
  address: Wilders Plads 9B
  This is a combined studio and shop for the two ceramicists Inge Vincent and Karin Michelsen, carrying products in the beautiful Scandinavian design tradition.

• Ginnungagab

  phone: +45 32 54 22 11
  address: Overgaden oven Vandet 4A
  A place to go for some alternative souvenirs, the store is specialized in products of leather and wool, from Scandinavia and Greenland, like clothing, shoes and bags. It also carries the vikings preferred alcohol; mead, and organic vegetables. Have fun pronouncing the name, when asking directions for the store.

• Bastionen + Løven

  phone: +45 32950940
  address: Christianshavns Voldgade 50
  Nice restaurant in romantic green surroundings. Serves Danish inspired gourmet food.

• Café Lynge Larsen

  phone: +45 32 54 46 24
  address: Strandgade 50
  Sandwiches, traditional smørrebrød, and salads

• Café Wilder

  phone: +45 32 54 71 83
  address: Wildersgade 56
  Good simple food for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just a drink.

• Frederiks Bastion

  phone: +45 32 57 08 51
  address: Refshalevej 80
  Old gunpowder house turned into bar and cafe, big nordic brunch on weekends. Danish food with a French twist.

• Lynetten

  phone: +45 32 57 17 08
  address: Refshalevej 200
  Restaurant on the Lynetten Marina, which serves traditional Danish food.

• Ravelinen

  phone: +45 32962045
  address: Torvegade 79
  Very traditional summer restaurant in townhouse from 1728, serving traditional Danish cuisine including smørrebrød, in either the beautiful building, or on an outdoor balcony with view over a canal.

• Spicey Kitchen

  phone: +45 32 95 28 29
  address: Torvegade 56
  Very cheap Indian style food, including some vegetarian dishes.

• Viva

  phone: +45 27 25 05 05
  address: Langebrogade Kaj 570
  Unique dining on an old ship docked in the harbor, stylishly propped up to be a restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Perfect for a romantic evening in the summer (open year round)

• Asador Argentino

  phone: +45 32 54 54 08
  address: Overgaden Neden Vandet 17
  Argentine restaurant specializing in tasty charcoal grilled Argentine steaks, served with good Argentine wine. Limited outdoor garden seating for summer days.

• Copenhagen Street Food

  phone: +45 33 93 07 60
  address: PapirØen/The Paper Island, Warehouse 7 & 8, Trangravsvej 14
  Food trucks with food from all around the world. Great location just by the waterfront.

Splurge

• Noma

  address: Refshalevej 96
  Noma is not only one of the best restaurants in Copenhagen, it has also repeatedly been named the best in the world by the reputable British magazine Restaurant. The restaurant specializes specifically in Nordic cuisine, if it's not from Scandinavia, it's not on the menu and that includes even mundane ingredients such as olive oil or garlic. Instead the chef find unique Nordic ingredients and combine them in inventive ways to create extraordinary dishes. Reopened in 2018, the new venue just north of Christianshavn, includes a large garden. Bookings are essential, months in advance preferably.

• Era Ora

  phone: +45 32 54 06 93
  address: Overgaden neden Vandet 33B
  Superb and expensive Italian restaurant, which imports its ingredients directly from Italy, and provides quality service.

• Fingerbøllet

  phone: +45 32 54 67 17
  address: Wildersgade 39
  This bar is unpretentious and old school, a hangout for alcoholics, seamen, and students - who feast on the low prices, and plays a game dices or billiards, with rock or country music blasting out the speakers.

• Eiffel Bar

  phone: +45 32 57 70 92
  address: Wildersgade 58
  Eiffel bar has something of a 30s Paris feel to it, although the Can Can girls has disappeared since the place it opened in 1736. The crowd here is as diverse as the district, but definitely not pretentious.

• Halvandet

  phone: +45 70 27 02 96
  address: Refshalevej 325
  Restaurant, bar, and beach bar. Halvandet has two big warehouses. Outside a big area is filled with sand to create, a beach-bar, a beach volleyball court, and a beach-football (soccer) field. A warm summer evening, sitting with a cold beer in a beach chair at the edge of the quay, this is probably the most relaxing place in Copenhagen to have a drink.

• Kontiki Bar

  phone: +45 29 46 54 17
  address: Takkeloftvej 1
  Bar on poles in the canal behind the architect school. Connect to the restaurant boat, "Ellen". Also have sandwiches and other food.

• Hotel CPH Living

  phone: +45 61 60 85 46
  address: Langebrogade Kaj 70
  Opening in summer 2009, this hotel is more or less a stationary boat floating around in the harbour, with huge floor to ceiling windows facing the water, this is hotel is certainly unique, and possibly providing the best view of any hotel in the city.