Refshaleøen & Nordhavn
Refshaleøen and Nordhavn: the back story
Area guide
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Refshaleøen and Nordhavn: the back story
Refshaleøen, a former industrial island, has become one of Copenhagen’s most creative areas, with festivals, Reffen street food, CopenHot’s saunas, Alchemist and Noma. Across the harbour to the north, Nordhavn is a new district on the water, with the M4 Metro and three One-Star restaurants.
See
Reffen and the waterfront; in Nordhavn, the new harbour district.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Leif Jørgensen · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsEat
Alchemist (Two MICHELIN Stars, 2026), Noma, and in Nordhavn akmē, Sushi Anaba and ESSE (One Star).
Take the harbour bus to Refshaleøen.
Wellness
CopenHot’s wood-fired hot tubs and saunas.
Our advice: book Alchemist or Noma months ahead.
Why it's on our list
- See
- Eat
- Wellness
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Refshaleøen and Nordhavn: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Refshaleøen and Nordhavn: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- The Little Mermaid2.2 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Amalienborg3.1 kmWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Nyhavn3.5 kmWalk 44 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Rosenborg Castle3.8 kmCycle 15 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Christiansborg4.3 kmCycle 17 minCar or taxi 15 min
- Tivoli Gardens5.0 kmCycle 20 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Copenhagen Airport7.9 kmCycle 32 minCar or taxi 24 min
Main railway stations
- Østerport2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Nørreport4.2 kmCycle 17 minCar or taxi 15 min
- Copenhagen Central Station5.2 kmCycle 21 minCar or taxi 18 min