Copenhagen/Vestegnen

Two S-train directions run from the centre of Copenhagen through the district

• Lines B to Høje Taastrup runs west through Hvidovre, Rødovre, Brøndby, Glostrup, Albertslund and Taastrup every 20 minutes from early morning till late night, and twice as often most of the day.
• Line A to Hundige runs southwest through Åmarken, Friheden, Avedøre, Brøndby Strand, Vallensbæk and Ishøj every 20 minutes from early morning till late night. Line E to Køge stops at Vallensbæk, Ishøj, Hundige, Greve, Karlslunde and Solrød and also runs every 20 minutes from early morning till late night

Approaching the district by train from west or south, you will get off at Høje Taastrup Station and continue by S-train

The easiest way to get around is by S-train. For destinations between S-train stations or away from the main traffic channels you can take one of the local buses, most of which do not run as frequent as in the central part of the city.
There are taxi stands almost all S-train stations, but it will quite often be that no taxis are available and you will have to call one. Vest-Taxa (+45 43 45 45 45) is usually the fastest in the western suburbs and Taxa Selandia (+45 70 10 66 66) in the far southwestern suburbs. Taxa 4x35 (+45 35 35 35 35) is a good option closest to the central part of the city, but further away some waiting time can be expected.

• Arken Museum of Modern Art

  phone: +45 43 54 02 22
  address: Skovvej 100, Ishøj
  By far the district's greatest attraction, and because of its location, rather undiscovered, even though it is one of Copenhagen's top museums. The striking building, located in dunes right next to the sea, was erected by architect Søren Robert Lund in 1996, and resembles a beached ship, the building has actually been criticized for drawing attention away from the art it houses. The temporary exhibitions are actually often the main attraction here, but the permanent collection includes many important mainly Scandinavian modern works. Also has a concert hall, cinema, sculpture courtyard and a restaurant.

• Greve Museum

  phone: +45 43 40 40 36
  address: Bækgårdsvej 9, Greve
  Various exhibitions relating to rural history, and the history of the 200 years old farmhouse the museum in housed in. Also hosts various temporary exhibitions. There is a small café and a shop on the premises, and a lovely garden to enjoy a small picnic.

• Heerup Museum

  phone: +45 36 37 87 00
  address: Kirkesvinget 1, Rødovre
  Henry Heerup (1907-1993) was a popular Danish painter, with close ties to the avant garde movement, although his work is often described as timeless, colorful and Childish. He received recognition outside Denmark, and has work exhibited at, for example, MOMA in New York and the Carnegie Institute. The museum's initial collection was donated by his widow, after his death.

• Kroppedal

  phone: +45 43 30 30 00
  address: Kroppedals Allé 3, Taastrup
  A good museum, if a bit out of the way, but in beautiful surroundings by a small river valley. The museum has various stationary and changing exhibitions on astronomy, archaeology and modern history.

• Thorsbro Vandværk

  phone: +45 43 57 72 57
  address: Allevej 29, Ishøj
  An industrial museum, displaying the history of the beautiful classic building, and its machinery - both are from the turn of the 20th century.

• VestvoldenA series of fortification cutting a though the western suburbs for 14.5 km from the sea to the Utterlev mose area on Nørrebro. At the time of construction in the 1890s it was one of the largest fortification works in the world, and today it is one of the best preserved, protected through its entire length. While parts have been restored to its former glory, the really interesting parts is the untouched part, overgrown part, with old barracks, ammunition depots etc. hidden away behind trees and bushes. The most easiest entry point is taking an S-train to Brøndbyøster station on the B line. Can easily be combined with a visit to Filmbyen, since it is housed on a garrison which was part of the Vestvolden defences.

• Cirkusmuseet

  phone: +45 36 49 00 30
  address: Hovedporten 6, Hvidovre
  Photographs, posters, costumes, diaries, artefacts and what not, relating to the history of circus, both national and international, from the last 150 years. The museum is largely made up of the private collections of two famous Danish performers.

• Forstadsmueet

  phone: +45 36 49 00 30
  address: Alarmpladsen 3, Hvidovre
  Not a traditional museum. You get to explore places in the surrounding suburbian landscape.

• Mosede Fort

  phone: +45 43404036
  address: Mosede Strandvej 87A
  World War I fortification. Has exhitions convering Denmarks role in WWI.

• Watch football (soccer) at

  Brøndby IF

  phone: +45 43 75 54 79
  address: Brøndby Stadion 8
  They play in Danish SuperLiga, the top tier of football in Denmark. Games are usually played on Sundays. The stadium, capacity 29,000, is on the western outskirts of Copenhagen, 5 km from the centre.

• Friluftsbadet Badesøen

  phone: +45 43 64 17 61
  address: Skallerne 14, Albertslund
  Features Europe's largest heated outdoor pool, 60 m in diameter, and two water slides, 45 and 60 m respectively. There is also Mini golf, Bocce, basketball and beach-volleyball fields on the large grass area.

• Hedeland

  phone: +45 46 13 63 18
  address: Maglehøjgårdsvej 6A, Hedehusene
  Hedeland is a unique and large recreation area, created on the area of an old gravel excavation site. It features a ski hill, Steam railway, miniature railway, amphitheatre with regular open air performances, a golf course, riding area and finally a motorbike racing club.

• Ishøj Dyrepark

  phone: +45 43 53 72 79
  address: Brentevej 40, Ishøj
  While hardly worth travelling for, if you are staying in the area, and crave to escape some of the concrete, this green area with grazing deer, Scottish highland cattle, goats and sheep makes for a good small excursion.

• Middelalderlandsbyen

  phone: +45 40 17 87 07
  address: Nybovej 11, Brøndby
  A living history museum opened in 1999. The village consists of seven reconstructed houses as they would have looked in the 13th century surrounding a small village pond. There are several workshops with many activities for the kids.

• Vikingelandsbyen

  phone: +45 43 64 20 29
  address: Ledøjevej 35, Albertslund
  A small volunteer community project to reconstruct a Viking village using original construction methods. It is just at the outskirts of a nice forest (Vestskoven) and it is free to peek in, and look around, though it is mainly meant as a living history museum for local school children.

Beaches

There are several good beaches along the coast, such as Brøndby, Ishøj & Vallensbæk strand. The whole area is dubbed Køge Bugt Strandpark, and covers 7 km of white beaches, sand dunes, meadows and lakes. It is very popular on warm summer days, but there are usually plenty of space if you look around. Facilities include jetties, toilets and several Kiosks dishing out popular ice creams. During late June to early August there are lifeguards present. Access by any station along the A and E S-train lines between Brøndby-Strand and Greve stations.

Theaters and concert halls

Expect bands mainly to be Danish bands, and theatrical performances in the Danish language, since none of these venues are really geared for tourists.

• Forbrændingen

  phone: +45 4362 5043
  address: Vognporten 11, Albertslund
  The main concert venue of this district. Almost 100 concerts each year but not much action during the summer. Stages upcoming Danish bands.

• Portalen

  phone: +45 43 97 83 00
  address: Portalen 1, Greve
  A local cultural centre which hosts a concert venue, a gallery, theatre and a café.

• Viften

  phone: +45 36 70 45 00
  address: Rødovre Parkvej 130
  A community center in Rødovre, with Cinema, Theatre and a Café

When city planners turned this area of former villages and farmland into unending suburbia (a transformation they now much regret), they turned to their North American counterparts for inspiration, and erected some huge impersonal shopping centers, complete with the usual, characterless chain stores, which leaves the shopping in Vestegnen a bit to be desired. You can find these shopping centers opposite almost every S-train station in the district. The largest of these malls are the aptly named City2, a short walk away from Høje Taastrup station, with 110 stores and a large cinema complex over 100,000 m², and Rødovre Centrum a bit off the main public transport corridors, also with 110 stores.

Except for Arti'kok you can safely disregard these listings if you are not staying in the district, as there are much better restaurants nearer the city centre.

• Arti'kok

  phone: +41 36 75 07 41
  address: Hvidovrevej 92, Hvidovre
  Gourmet Danish cuisine, and easily the best restaurant in the district.

• Café Jenners

  phone: +45 4369 9339
  address: Mosede Strandvej 25, Greve
  Café/restaurant close to the coast south of Copenhagen. Nice place for a drink or some café style food. The menu is not impressive and comprises mostly burgers and sandwiches, but everything is well made.

• Jenners Seaside

  phone: +45 43699339
  address: Havnevej 20, Greve
  Seafood restaurant right on Mosede harbour.

• Espehus

  phone: +45 36 41 07 58
  address: Korsdalsvej 77, Rødovre
  Danish-French kitchen in unusually cosy surroundings for the district in a pretty white house with thatched roof

• Fortet Café og Restaurant

  phone: +45 43903979
  address: Mosede Strandvej 91, Greve
  Great location by the Mosede Fortress and not far away from Mosede Harbour and the beach. The food is average with a couple of generic options, so go for the fish which is usually good and fresh.

• Hereford Steakhouse

  phone: +45 43 52 00 39
  address: Taastrup Hovedgade 106
  Traditional Danish open sandwiches for lunch and steaks for dinner.

• Kabyssen

  phone: +45 43 73 79 71
  address: Søhesten 14, Ishøj
  Simple place serving traditional Danish fare at low prices, the outdoor seating is really cosy on warm days, with good views over the nearby Marina.

• Restaurant Krabben

  phone: +45 43 54 05 45
  address: Vallensbæk Havn, Vallensbæk
  Next to the marina with a nice terrace. Danish cuisine.

Expect to drink with local alcoholics and kids who think Adidas trunk pants are the coolest thing since flavored Vodka. In other words, not really worth it unless you can not be bothered to go all the way into the city centre.

• 1964

  phone: +45 43 63 19 64
  address: Brøndby Stadion 28D, Brøndby
  A sports pub inside Brøndby stadium, where the name sake club established in 1964, plays. Shows many football and some NFL matches in flatscreen TVs. Free wireless internet.

• Escape

  phone: +45 43453138
  address: Hovedvejen 118, Glostrup
  While hardly exciting there is not many other clubs in the area, plays mainly 1980s music and current mainstream hits.

• Damhuskroen

  phone: +45 36 70 40 36
  address: Roskildevej 244, Rødovre
  Unless you are looking to score a middle-aged bird wearing too much mascara or a similarly aged guy in a jumpsuit, you might want to give this place a miss. Though some younger guests are there for the entertainment they provide, and just let loose.

• Carls Old Inn

  phone: +45 36 72 62 60
  address: Rødovrevej 260, Rødovre
  It is not saying much, but this is one of the better pubs in area. It is best before or after the local ice-hockey team plays their matches, as this is the usual hang-out for their fans.

• Center Pub

  phone: +45 36472269
  address: Hvidovrevej 178, Hvidovre
  Yet another local watering hole with football memorabilia on the walls, and relatively cheap beers

• Hovsa Bodega

  phone: +45 43 96 45 70
  address: Seminarievej 1, Brøndby
  This place's main claim to fame is as the unofficial pre-game bar of the local team, Brøndby IF, There is a flat-screen television for watching football games and draft beers are available for quite cheap 28 kr a glass.

• Under Uret

  phone: +45 43600444
  address: Greve Midt Bycenter 10K, Greve
  A fairly nice place by suburban standards, it even has a selection with foreign beers and is popular with students from the local high school

Many hotels located here claims to be near the city centre, for the most part they are outright lying, and the only reason to sleep at these suburban hotels is if you have business or family relations in the area. One exception is the budget listings which are actually good options.

Budget

• Belægningen, Avedørelejren

  phone: +45 36 77 90 84
  address: Avedøre Tværvej 10
  Definitively ranking among the best options in the district, this hostel is fitted into the old sleeping quarters of the soldiers stationed on the old fort the hostel is located in. Free internet terminals and cheap bike rentals.

• Danhostel Ishøj Strand

  phone: +45 43 53 50 15
  address: Ishøj Strandvej 13
  Right by the beach (Køge Bugt Strandpark, see above), this 5 star hostel is well equipped with good up to date facilities (for a hostel that is). Each room has room for 6 people and includes a private nook outside, with views over the green surroundings. There is an activity area shared with the nearby camping grounds with a bouncy castle, chess, table tennis, petanque etc.

• Ishøj Strand Camping

  phone: +45 43 53 50 15
  address: Ishøj Strandvej 13
  Just next to the nearby hostel, both are jointly operated by the Danish hostelling organisation. Shared building with reception, kitchenette, bathrooms, and other sanitary facilities. Campfire, playground, football fields for the kids, and walking distance to the beach.

• Tangloppen Camping

  phone: +45 43 54 07 67
  address: Tangloppen 2, Ishøj
  Located on a small islet, this camping ground is only 500 meters from the beach. Facilities include hot showers, laundry room and other sanitary facilities, a communal room with television sets and a small shop. There are also bungalows available to let, with room for 4-8 people, most of them with a nice view over the sea.

Mid-range

• Glostrup Park Hotel

  phone: +45 43 96 00 38
  address: Hovedvejen 41, Glostrup
  Adequate business hotel near one of the main commercial and industrial districts west of Copenhagen. There is an old and a new wing, with the new wing offering substantially better rooms and facilities. Free internet, and breakfast buffet included.

• Idrættens Hus Hotel

  phone: +45 43 26 26 26
  address: Brøndby Stadion 20, Brøndby
  This hotel is run by, and located on, the premises of the Danish Athletic Association, right by Brøndby Stadium with access to a steam bath, Gym and solarium.

• Quality Hotel Høje Taastrup

  phone: +45 43 99 77 66
  address: Carl Gustavs Gade 1, Taastrup
  Business hotel in the westernmost suburb of Copenhagen. Cleaning is sometimes lagging in the rooms but there is an Internet station in the lobby, a heated swimming pool and gym facilities.

• Scandic Glostrup

  phone: +45 43 43 42 00
  address: Roskildevej 550, Glostrup
  Part of the omnipresent Scandinavian hotel chain, this place is probably best suited as a motel for a stop over, as it is located directly adjacent to the highway. Billiard room, restaurant and a children's playground.

• Scandic Hvidovre

  phone: +45 36 86 04 00
  address: Kettevej 4, Hvidovre
  Far away from public transportation and gets some criticism for its cleaning standards. On the upside if you manage to get a room in the upper floors of the back building, these seem to be of a better standard, and there are an indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym area as well as a decent restaurant on the premises.

• Taastrup Park Hotel

  phone: +45 43711819
  address: Brorsonsvej 3, Taastrup
  A bit run down, but there is not a lot of other options nearby, on the upside the internet is fast, it is near the station, and it employs good staff.

• Wittrup Motel

  phone: +45 43 64 95 51
  address: Roskildevej 251, Albertslund
  Probably as close to an American style motel as you are going to find in Copenhagen, 60 rooms with their own doors facing the parking lot.For a motel the restaurant is surprisingly good.

• Zleep Hotel Ishøj

  phone: +45 43 54 12 33
  address: Ishøj Nørregade 1, Ishøj
  Very compact rooms and few of them are a bit run down. Sometimes the reception is manned, but most of the day you check in through a computer located at the hotels entrance, which inside a shopping mall on the 6th floor - but it is hard to beat the price which has a free breakfast included.

Vestegnen is generally safe, but since it is mostly known for its ghetto-areas, with a high percentage of residents with low income, low education and an immigration-background, crime(more specific robberies and muggings, and rarely gang-wars) can occur more often than in Copenhagen, so be aware of your surroundings and stay out of the ghetto-areas, especially at night. If a group of people is trying to provoke you, ignore them and don't provoke back. If you spot such a group or see something odd, you don't feel comfortable with, staying out of business and walk slowly and quiet away.
In the town Brøndby, do not wear anything that sympathizes with "F.C. Copenhagen", since fans of Brøndby IF are likely to get provoked. But as long as you stay out of the ghetto-areas, characterized with high residential, similar-looking building-complexes, you would find the atmosphere quite peaceful and friendly.

The best options for internet access is the various public libraries in the area:

• Avedøre Bibliotek

  phone: +45 36 34 36 00
  address: Hjulmagerporten 1

• Avedøre Posthus

  phone: +45 70 20 70 30
  address: Sadelmagerporten 2A

• Brøndby(vester) Bibliotek

  phone: +45 43 28 20 60
  address: Glentemosen 13

• Brøndby Strand Posthus

  phone: +45 70 20 70 30
  address: Brøndby Strand Centrum 50

• Glostrup

  phone: +45 43 23 68 20

• Glostrup Posthus

  phone: +45 70 20 70 30
  address: Banegårdspladsen 9

• Ishøj Bibliotek

  phone: +45 43 57 71 71
  address: Ishøj Store Torv 1

• Ishøj Posthus

  phone: +45 70 20 70 30
  address: Ishøj Nørregade 16

• Taastrup Bibliotek

  phone: +45 43 35 20 00
  address: Selsmosevej 2

• Taastrup Posthus

  phone: +45 70 20 70 30
  address: Taastrup Hovedgade 90