Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a wonderful city full of attractions and things to do, ideal for discovering on foot or by bicycle. In this case, it becomes essential to know how to identify the best area in which to stay, especially according to your needs!
Here's a handy guide on where to sleep in Copenhagen, with the best neighbourhoods to base yourself in the Danish capital, as well as some useful tips for your stay in the city: the best areas, neighbourhoods and accommodation for different types of travellers.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
Copenhagen, like all large cities in Northern Europe, is a fairly expensive city, both in terms of accommodation and in terms of expected expenses for lunches and dinners. The search for accommodation requires a fairly large budget, unless you adapt to hostels and small flats, which can certainly give you more freedom than a hotel.
Certainly, Indre By, the old heart of the city is the easiest area to explore the many tourist attractions on foot, as well as the one with the most amenities. It is the area of the Nyhavn canal, the Strøget boulevard and pedestrian areas, and Christiansborg Castle.
If you are travelling with children, you can also consider Østerbro, further north, the neighbourhood of the Little Mermaid and full of parks, and Frederiksberg, west of the centre, where the famous Copenhagen Zoo is also located. Both are easily connected to the centre but quiet in the evenings, as they are residential neighbourhoods.
Recommended areas tosave money: Christianshavn, Vesterbro, Nørrebro, Ørestad
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Indre By, Østerbro, Frederiksberg, quiet residential districts with green areas, Ørestad
Recommended areas foryoung people: Indre By, Nørrebro, Christianshavn, Ørestad
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Copenhagen. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
Copenhagen area guide
Despite being a very famous capital city, Copenhagen is very compact in size and people often opt to stay in the centre. But there are very different neighbourhoods, each characterised by different features. Choosing where to stay in Copenhagen also depends a lot on the type of experience you want to have in order to enjoy the city to the fullest.
Areas to avoid: we advise against staying in neighbourhoods that are too far from the city centre and on the outskirts, as they will force you to always travel by public transport. Copenhagen is a safe city, but it is important to be careful in the most crowded places
Indre By (Nyhavn, Tivoli, Strøget, Castles)
Staying here is ideal for a few-day 'weekend' trips as this is where most of the sights are gathered, making it a great starting point to get to all the attractions even on foot; such as the Botanical Garden, Tivoli and the Danish Design Centre. One of the main attractions is definitely the Nyhavn Canal, the city's old harbour! It is one of the main tourist spots and here you will find many quaint cafés and bars. The best view is from the Mindeankeret, an ancient memorial anchor.
Here, you can also immerse yourself in the nightlife thanks to a wide choice of pubs, bars and restaurants lining the canals or hidden in the maze of narrow old alleys. Also in this area is the famous Strøget, the boulevard lined by prestigious boutiques and low-cost chains. As always, staying in the centre costs more, but the offer is wide and varied.
Average prices in the district range from around €64.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Elegant hotel in historic building from 1903. Free access to the fitness/relaxation area complete with sauna, cold-water plunge pool and hammam | |
Simple and elegant hostel offering free WiFi in all areas. Towels and bed linen delivered upon check-in. View of the Old Town | |
Housed in a warehouse from 1869, all rooms feature minibars, satellite TV and work desks. Free WiFi in public areas |
Vesterbro (Copenhagen Museum, Carlsberg Museum)
Photos of The City Life. Just a few kilometres from the centre in the south-west, here there used to be food processing factories. The area has recently been renovated, taking on a very cosy appearance. Københavns Hovedbanegård Central Station is located here, close to the famous Tivoli Gardens.
The hotels in Vesterbro are the cheapest in the city, while offering excellent quality and service. The old factories have been converted into museums and art galleries, but the district is also known for its quality restaurants. Attractions in the area include the Copenhagen Museum and the Carlsberg Beer Museum, located inside the historic brewery.
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €145.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Family-run hotel with colourful Designers Guild furnishings. Bicycles for hire. Renowned Scandinavian breakfast buffet | |
Eco-friendly hotel. Rooms with flat-screen TV. Sauna, gym, free WiFi. Parking at no extra charge | |
Housed in an impressive building dating back to the 1880s, it offers impeccable rooms with all modern comforts | |
Simple hotel. Rooms with private or shared bathroom. All are equipped with a desk, while others also include a seating area. Free internet station. Bicycle rental |
Christianshavn (Christiania)
Famous for hosting the autonomous community of Christiania, which has been a self-governing neighbourhood since the 1970s, with its own rules, services and economy. The district extends northeast of Indre By, from which it is divided by the Københavns Havn canal and connected by the Knippels Bridge.
This neighbourhood is a hodgepodge of canals and tiny alleys with typical Danish-style colourful houses, buildings decorated with murals, cafés and clubs usually frequented by residents. Totally closed to traffic, here you can stroll around savouring the hipster and bohemian atmosphere. As it is a residential area, it is very quiet and relaxing, although in the summertime they usually organise outdoor concerts and events.
The easternmost part of the district is home to the Christiania community. Tourists can safely visit the area, as long as they respect the privacy of the residents, e.g. by not taking pictures of people without prior consent and not disturbing the animals. As for accommodation, there are very few facilities available, so we recommend you opt for Christianshavn.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €100.00 for low-cost accommodation to €160.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Modern rooms with private bathroom with shower and hairdryer. Family rooms available. A la carte breakfast | |
Also features a refrigerator, a seating area, a washing machine with dryer and a bathroom with shower. View of the garden. Free WiFi | |
Aparthotel offering bike rental service. The accommodation features a dining area and/or a patio and a fully equipped kitchen. |
Østerbro (Little Mermaid Statue, Fælledparken, Kastellet)
Photo by Stig Nygaard. One of the most expensive and exclusive areas of the capital, where numerous high-end accommodations are located. There are two major railway stations in the area, Nordhavn and Svanemøllen, which will get you to the centre quickly and easily!
Aquiet residential area and one of the greenest in the city, it isalso ideal for families. Here you can find numerous gardens, including Fælledparken, the largest park in Denmark. On the southern edge is also the world-famous Statue of the Little Mermaid, symbol of Copenhagen. Other attractions include the fortified Kastellet Citadel and the Den Frie Centre for Contemporary Art.
Average prices in the district range from around €94.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on boooking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel with modern, fully equipped rooms. 24-hour reception service, free WiFi, bar and bicycle rental. | |
2-room flat with terrace. Free WiFi and pets allowed | |
about 2.5 km from the Little Mermaid Statue, fully equipped flats. Fitness centre within the building. Bicycle rental on site |
Nørrebro
Photos by Ellyodd. Northwest of the city centre, this is a strategic neighbourhood for staying in a convenient area but without spending a fortune. The neighbourhood is home to the Nørrebros Runddel St. metro station, where the M3 red line runs directly to Indre By.
This is the multicultural district, the right place for shopping and art lovers, thanks to the presence of several art galleries, bookshops, small vintage and antique shops, concentrated mainly on Ravnsborggade Street. And last but not least, there is no shortage of parks and squares for relaxing or playing sports.
Average prices in the district range from around €56.00 for low-cost accommodation to €108.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Non-profit, volunteer-run hostel. Adopts environmentally sustainable practices, including an organic breakfast and energy-saving light bulbs | |
Partially self-service hotel. All rooms have a work desk, TV, wardrobe, private bathroom with shower and hairdryer and, in some cases, a seating area | |
Hostel with private rooms and dormitories, all with bed linen included. The hostel offers free walking tours, city maps, a pool table and happy hour at the bar or in the beer garden. Bicycle rental is available | |
Brightly decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi and tea/coffee making facilities. Complimentary beer and water on arrival. Private parking |
Frederiksberg Gardens, Zoo
Photo by Ikiwaner. Chic and elegant, this is one of Copenhagen's luxurious and expensive areas. Here you will find elegant residences and luxury accommodation, as well as most of the city's best restaurants, especially on Værnedamsvej Street.
Well connected to the city centre thanks to the Frederiksberg Allé metro station where the M3 red line runs directly to Indre By, it is a family-friendly neighbourhood thanks to its many green spaces such as the Frederiksberg Have park, one of the largest in the city, and the world-famous Copenhagen Zoo.
Average prices in the district range from around €78.00 for low-cost accommodation to €282.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Rooms equipped with washbasin and heating. Shared bathroom and kitchenette. Free WiFi in all areas | |
It offers a fitness centre, non-smoking rooms, free Wi-Fi and a bar. 24-hour front desk. In-house restaurant | |
Design boutique hotel offering free Wi-Fi and a cosy lounge bar with live music. Modern rooms and bike rental service |
Ørestad (DR Koncerthuset)
Copenhagen's most avant-garde neighbourhood, boasting beautiful examples of contemporary architecture perfectly integrated with the young and lively atmosphere of the surrounding landscape dominated by water and nature.
Developed on the island of Amager, it is nevertheless well-connected to the centre thanks to the excellent transport network that allows you to reach the airport and other districts rather quickly, especially the M1 green metro line, which leads directly to Indre By. In the evenings, it is possible to attend a show at DR Koncerthuset. There are various types of accommodation, but all are modern and full of comfort.
Average prices in the district range from around €44.00 for low-cost accommodation to €170.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
The property features a patio with garden views, a common room and a hot tub. Bike rental service | |
An eco-friendly hotel with elegant, bright rooms. All rooms feature Danish designer furniture by Paustian. Gym accessible free of charge. Car and e-bike rental service | |
Environmentally friendly hostel offering a fully equipped communal kitchen and free on-site parking. Dining hall with a panoramic view of the park |
Countries near Copenhagen where to stay
Sleeping in Copenhagen is the best choice. There is no reason to prefer another landmark in Denmark over the capital. In fact, the whole country is expensive. In fact, it is easier to find low-cost accommodation in Copenhagen than in other neighbouring countries.
In addition, the organisation of transport and the presence of agencies and services for excursions and tours also make it perfect for those who want to devote full days to exploring the surroundings, such as the castle area between Roskilde, Hillerød and Helsingør.
At most, if the intention is to discover Western Denmark, the one that faces the North Sea, the centres of reference are Odense, Esbjerg and Aalborg, but this is a completely different type of holiday.
If you are in Copenhagen on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best accommodation and selected hotels on Booking.com
