Where to stay in Copenhagen?

Indre By: staying in the heart of Copenhagen

Indre By, the historic centre or ‘inner city’, is home to Copenhagen’s main attractions, making it the ideal place to stay. The must-see sights include:

• Tivoli Gardens, a centuries-old amusement park
• the little canal in Nyhavn and its colourful houses
• Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg Castle

If you want to shop, you’ll find all the biggest brands on and around the main pedestrian street, Strøget. And you can admire the beautiful architecture at the same time!

You’ll spend most of your time on this central island. Staying in Indre By is a great way to avoid unnecessary travel because you can get everywhere on foot or by bike. You can also easily access other parts of Copenhagen by metro.

The downside of this area is its popularity. Indre By is the most expensive neighborhood in Copenhagen, but this is where you’ll find the vast majority of hotels and tourist rentals.

If you’re only in Copenhagen for a few days, this is the best place to stay.

Vesterbro: staying in Copenhagen's going-out area

Formerly Copenhagen’s industrial red-light district, Vesterbro is now the city’s trendiest neighbourhood, with plenty of bars and restaurants to party the night away.

Ideally situated right by the centre, this area is perfect if you want to enjoy the nightlife. You can still get a peaceful night’s sleep if you move away from the station and the busiest streets, such as Istedgade.

You can visit the Carlsberg brewery here and explore the Meat Packing District, once home to the city’s slaughterhouses, which has become a hipster restaurant hotspot. 

Historically, this part of the capital is more affordable than the centre, and there are more and more hotels and other types of accommodation available. It is the best compromise for cheaper accommodation within walking distance of the old town.

Christianshavn and islands brygge: staying across the river

Although these areas on the other side of the river are less popular with tourists, they offer accommodation near the centre in a slightly different setting.

Christianshavn is a must-see when visiting Copenhagen, particularly Christiana, a self-proclaimed autonomous hippy community. Hotels, apartment hotels and other tourist rentals are not cheap and hard to come by, but they offer an opportunity to explore an atypical neighbourhood in the Danish capital. You can also easily access the city centre on the other side of the river.

Even if you’re not planning on staying in Christianhavn, don’t miss the Church of Our Saviour, or Vor Frelsers Kirke, with its spiral steeple and exceptional views of the city.

The harbourfront of Islands Brygge is another option because of its good location further south. If you cross the bridge to the north, you’ll find yourself right by Tivoli Gardens. This area is quiet and more affordable, but we recommend staying on the north side of the riverbank to avoid being too far from the centre.

Green and family-friendly: staying in the peaceful neighborhood of Østerbro

Located just north of the city centre and citadel (the Kastellet), Østerbro is the city’s most family-friendly neighbourhood. It is a quiet and green area with parks, such as Fælledparken, and a zoological museum. You can access the centre on foot, especially if you stay in the south, making it a good alternative for accommodation.

This neighbourhood has a relaxed vibe, and at weekends you’ll come across families enjoying the greenery. At times, it is almost too peaceful, and you may struggle to find a place to eat in the evening, which is worth remembering after a busy day sightseeing!

You can easily reach the other parts of the city by public transport, or even on foot or by bike.

There are not many hotels, but you should be able to find something to suit your budget. Avoid staying in the direct vicinity of the national stadium, Parken Stadium, in the central park.

Finally, even if you don’t stay in this part of Copenhagen, don’t forget to go and see the famous mermaid!

Norrebro: a multi-cultural, student district

Nørrebro, a former working-class neighbourhood, has undergone extensive renovations and is now a lively area in the evening, with plenty of little bars and restaurants that are popular with students. If you want to enjoy a fun night out and walk back to your hotel, this is probably one of the best places to stay.

The neighbourhood is ‘off the beaten track’ and not very touristy, which is part of its appeal. Nørrebro is also the historic hub of immigration, and you’ll find Middle Eastern restaurants and a very different atmosphere than in Indre By.

If you stay in the southern part of this area, you’ll still be close to the centre. You can reach all the city’s main attractions by bike or on foot (less than a 15-minute walk).

There is not as much accommodation in Nørrebro as in other parts of the city, but the prices are very reasonable.

Frederiksberg: a chic residential neighborhood

Frederiksberg is a quiet and pleasant residential area with a castle and large parks. If you want to enjoy a bit of greenery with your family while remaining close to the city centre, this is the place for you. We recommend staying in the eastern part of the neighbourhood, within walking distance of the centre.

This area is home to lots of parks and gardens, as well as Copenhagen Zoo, making it popular with families.

You’ll mostly find upscale accommodation options with higher rates. But there is a good range of hotels or rentals to enjoy the chic and relaxed atmosphere of one of the city’s most beautiful residential areas.

Are there any other neighborhoods to stay in?

The areas we’ve mentioned in this guide cover a big part of the city, but you can find more hotels and accommodation further out of the centre. We haven’t included them in our top picks because it is less convenient to get around, and the city’s suburbs lack charm and life.

The area around the airport also offers a wide range of hotels, although they are mainly frequented by businesspeople or used to host conferences rather than accommodate holidaymakers. You may decide to spend a night here if it fits with your flights, but we wouldn’t recommend staying any longer.