Our microguides series is inspired by the slow travel movement, encouraging travellers to relax their pace and take a deep dive into one particular neighbourhood in a well-loved city. Rather than a whirlwind itinerary which aims to hit up every must-see attraction, these compact, close-up guides encourage you to zone in, take your time and truly explore like a local.
Refshaleøen, a former industrial area and shipyard in the Danish capital, has been transformed into a happening indie hub of creativity. Now home to a raft of festivals, trailblazing bars and restaurants, markets and artist’s studios, its scene is spread across cavernous warehouses, all mismatched bricks and rusting metal.
Expect random graffiti, gorgeous boathouses and incongruous micro-vegetable-patches, as well as bicycles parked in every nook. All the best parties happen here ‒ in 2014, Refshaleøen hosted Eurovision, while each summer the neighbourhood hosts some of Denmark’s biggest music festivals.
The best way to get here is by bicycle ‒ it’s how the city travels. The gentle 15-minute ride from the city centre, all on designated cycle paths, takes you over the capital’s iconic Inderhavnsbroen bike bridge, with views of the city’s sweeping harbour. Alternatively, the area’s electric boat taxis are frequent, and you can haul your bike on to them, too.
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Do
Take in the capital
For citywide views with an ice cream, head to the top of Copenhill, a dry ski slope and recreational hill built on top of a recycling and energy-generating centre in 2020. It’s part of Copenhagen’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2025. Tackle the 450m climb to the top first thing, then descend on foot or rental skis (there’s also a lift for the faint-hearted).
Out-there art fix
Occupying a magnificent former ship-welding hall, the city centre’s Copenhagen Contemporary (CC) hosts installations, performance art and monumental video works. Avant-garde exhibitions are inspired by subjects as diverse and intriguing as science (CERN), sociology (children’s play patterns around the globe) and performance (synchronised swimming).
Take a challenge
Challenge yourself on a serial assault course, similar to Go Ape, with the backdrop of the district’s old shipyard warehouse. Copenhagen’s Urban Ranger Camp is the world’s highest course of its kind: adrenaline junkies will love scaling its ladders, wobbly step bridges and testing their balance on tightropes 50 metres off the ground.
Enjoy the…
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