'''Christianshavn''' is a district east of the inner city of Copenhagen. Once a working-class neighbourhood, today Christianshavn is a trendy part of the city with its own unique identity. people from all walks of life, live side-by-side among cool cafes, old school bodegas, fancy restaurants and charming 19-century houses along picturesque canals. Further north, '''Holmen''' is an old naval area, that has seen a dramatic change in the past few years, with the old buildings being updated for residence, along with new dramatic architecture - fittingly a new home of the royal Danish school of architecture.

Understand

Christianshavn is an artificial island, erected in the swampy area between what is now the Inner city and the island of Amager, by King Christian the 4th, as a grand unification of his mad dash of construction projects, and his ambitions to develop Denmark into a major Naval power.

The district was build as part of the southern fortification of Copenhagen in the early 17th century. It was designed in the image of Amsterdam, with a canal cutting straight through the center - from this point Danish merchants were to expand trade over the seven seas, a heritage that is still very visible today, with the forest of masts from the sailing ships docked along the canal, and the century old watering holes of sailors still handing out beers and ''snaps'' to thirsty passers by.

In the early days Christianshavn was an independent city, until it was swallowed by the rapidly expanding capital, but to this day retains a unique atmosphere - and the people refer to themselves at Christianhavners first, and then as Copenhageners. In many ways Christianshavn is still a small town in a big city. Diversity is thriving here, and the distict has managed to embrace people from all walks of life; from the alcoholic sipping beer at the corner, to the marketing yuppie, and form it's own special identity stemming from this diversity.

Get in

Christianshavn and the sub district of Holmen, is a peninsula stretching out north through the old fortifications - because of this it's surrouned by water, and only access is across the Knippelsbro bridge, and the dam to Amager. It is entirely located within Zone 1 of the common ticketing system of the Metro, trains and busses. It's only a pleasurable 10 minute walk from Stroget on Amagertorv, past the parliament, and over the Knippelsbro bridge, if you don't want to pay for public transit.

By Bus

The backbone of bus transport in central Copenhagen are the A buses operated by Movia [http://www.moviatrafik.dk/Service/Tourist/touristguideUK/Pages/TouristGuideUK.aspx], which run every few minutes throughout the day. The S Buses are express buses that operate on longer lines, with fewer stops. '''Christianshavn's Square''' is the major stop, with stops by 3 different buslines, and interchange to the Metro.

  • '''2A''' Starts at the Tingbjerg distict in the North Western part of Copenhagen, and runs through downtown, with stops at Radhuspladen (the central square) and the central station, before it crosses the habour, and runs through Christianshavn on Torvegade, with stops at Asiatisk Plads (Ministry of foreign affairs) and the Metro station on Christianshavn Square. It terminates at Kastrup metro station on Amager.
  • '''350S''' Begins it's journey in the suburb of Herlev, north west of Copenhagen. And runs through the inner city with stops on Norreport station and Kongens Nytorv square, before it crosses Knippelsbro bridge, and stops at Christianshavn Square. It continues onwards to Amager, and terminates in picturesque Dragor south of the Airport.
  • By Metro

    The M1 or M2 metro lines stop at Christianshavn, located in the center of the district at Christianshavn Square. Interchange between the S-train system, and the metro is provided at Norreport station.

    By Boat

    The water busses (Bus 901 and 902) have to stops on Holmen ('''Holmen nord''' and '''Opera'''). The water busses only sail in the summer. You can sail in your own boat to Lynetten Marina.

    The Canal-Tour Waterbus have several stops on holmen [http://www.kanalrundfart.dk/Dansk/greentour.html].

    Get around

    By bus

    Bus line '''66''' is Christianshavn's only bus line, it's enters Christianshavn over the Knippels bridge, from the city centre, and turns north at Christianshavns square, along Prinsessegade - where it stops at Vor Frelsers church, and Christianias main entrance, from where it continues on the bridge across to ''Holmen'' and terminates at the Opera house.

    By bike

    Christiania's small quite streets are excellent for sightseeing on a bike, and the free ''citybike'' system covers the entire district, there are stalls at Christianshavn torv, Asiatisk Plads (near the ministry of foreign affairs), Church of our saviour, at the main entrance to Christiania, and the central square of Holmen.

    See

    Christianshavn's main attraction, is actually Christianshavn itself. It bears some resemblance to Amsterdam, with it's quite streets branching out from the main canal, flanked by old houses, in bright colours, some dating back to 18th century - one of the photogenic ones is '''Amagergade''' on the right side of the the main street, at the end nearest the dam to Amager. And of course the green oasis of the free town Christiania, with it's creative home build houses, covered in it's own guide.

  • '''Christiania''' <see name="" alt="Fristaden Christiania; or just 'Christiania' or 'Staden'" address="" directions="Enter from Prinsessegade" phone="" url="http://www.christiania.org" hours="Open 24 hours" price="Free" lat="" long="">Christiania has since its establishment in a former military area in 1971 been a partially self governed and semi legal community of 85 acres, today with more than 1,000 inhabitants and more than a million people visiting every year. Christiania contains bars, cafes, restaurants and concert venues. Christinia is car free with small paths and a lot of green and water areas. Staden has throughout the years been a subject for controversy. The political pressure for legalisation and normalisation has increased over recents years and negotiations on the future for the area are ongoing.</see>
  • Dansk Arkitektur Center. anish Architecture Centre. trandgade 27B. 45 3257 1930. ttp://www.dac.dk/visEmneside.asp?artikelID=1571. -Su:10AM-5PM,W:-9PM. 0DKK. ac@dac.dk. Each year, 5-10 exhibitions on Danish and foreign architecture can been seen here. Conferences, lectures and guided tours are held in connection with exhibitions

  • '''The Royal Danish Naval Museum''' [http://www.dmol.dk/engelsk/mus_info.asp?musnr=10110], Overgaden oven Vandet 58, ''+45'' 32546363. Has a collection of model ships, started in 1670. Information about naval battles, cannon, uniforms, and handguns. Open 2-4 pm, closed Mondays.
  • Lille Molle. hristianshavns Voldgade 54. lose to Vor Frelsers church. ttp://www.natmus.dk/sw4614.asp. une, July, August, and september: tours at 1, 2, and 3 pm,. KK 50, free for under 18's, buy the ticket the same day in next door cafe Bastion og Loven. A small gem worth 45 minutes of your time. It is the base of an 1783 windmill on the inside of the old defense lines. In 1916 it was bought by a young engineer who made it a home for him and his wife, who lived there until 1974. Now it is a museum, nothing is changed since 1974.

  • Nordatlantens brygge. trandgade 91. 45 32 83 37 00. ryggen@bryggen.dk. ttp://www.bryggen.dk/. -F:10AM-5PM,Sa-Su:noon-5PM. 0 DKK. Nordatlantens Brygge is a cultural house where you can experience culture and arts from the North Atlantic region. Housed in an old dock building, there are 3 exhibition halls with changing exhibitions, performances and lectures.

  • Overgaden, institut for samtidskunst. nstitute for contemporary art. vergaden Neden Vandet 17. 45 32 57 72 73. ttp://www.overgaden.org. u-Su:1PM-5PM,Th:1PM-8PM. ree. nfo@overgaden.org. Established in 1986 by a group of local artists, Overgaden has for more than two decades been among the leading non-profit exhibition spaces for contemporary art in Copenhagen.

  • Skibene pa Holmen. he Historic ships on Holmen. lefanten, Nyholm. 45 33 11 60 37. ttp://www.skibepaaholmen.dk. July-15 August 11AM-5PM. ombination ticket: 70 DKK. A collection of 3 cold war warships; The large Frigate ''Peder Skram'', The last Danish submarine ''Salen'' famed for her participation in the War on Iraq in 2003 and protection of Norwegian waters during the Cold War. Also on display is P 547 ''Sehested'', the last fast attack boat in the Royal Danish Navy. Apart of the summer opening, the ships are open during most school breaks, and for larger groups at any time of year.
  • Spejdermuseet. he scouts museum. rsenalvej 100. 45 32 64 00 59. ttp://www.spejdermuseet.dk. 5PM-8PM,Th 2PM-5PM,Su 11AM-3PM. ree. Housed in a 250 years old arsenal building, this museum showcases the history of the Scouts movement in Denmark, all the way back to the early beginnings in 1905, through models, old equipment, posters etc.

    Do

  • Casino Copenhagen. mager Boulevard 70. 45 33 96 59 65 . nfo@casinos.dk. ttp://uk.casinocopenhagen.dk/. PM-4AM . ntrance: 85 DKK.. Is the only Casino in Copenhagen

  • Christianshavns badudlejning of cafe. hristianshavn boatrental and cafe. vergaden neden Vandet 29. 45 32 96 53 53. ttp://www.baadudlejningen.dk. 0 DKK/hour. hoj@baadudlejningen.dk. Interesting mix of a cafe on a floating dock in the canal, that also rents out rowing boats for sailing in the canals of Christianshavn. Also sells picnic baskets for the boats.

  • Kajak ole. trandgade 50. 45 40 50 40 06 . ttp://www.kajakole.dk. rom 245 DKK. This outfit conducts guided kayaking tours around the canals of Christianshavn and Holmen. The owner is a nice and friendly dude, that has been doing his tours for more than 10 years. the 3 standard tours ranges between 1?-3 hours, but you can also request special individual tours. Also arranges hilarious kayak waterpolo games.

  • The Operahouse. kvipagemestervej 10. 45 33 69 69 33. ttp://www.operaen.dk. PM-last show. rice varies.. Opened in 2005 in a striking building overlooking the harbor, designed by world renowned architect Henning Larsen. Mainly hosts Opera's, but occasionally shows contemporary music concerts, and plays. For Opera's there are always 25 tickets reserved for selling on the day.

  • Vor Frelsers Kirke. hurch of our saviour. ankt Anna Gade 29. 45 32 54 68 83. nfo@vorfrelserskirke.dk. ttp://www.vorfrelserskirke.dk/. losed till April 2009 due to major renovations. Climb the 400 steps to the top of the spire of the church for panoramic views of Copenhagen. The last steps are on the ''outside'' of the spire. Rumor has it that that the designer throw himself out the tower, when he discovered the rotation of the stairs was the wrong way, so that sword fights would have to be fought with the left hand, however the spiraling stares was meant to symbol the ascend into heaven.

    Buy

    Shopping possibilities on Christianshavn aren't as extensive as in other parts of Copenhagen, but there several small and interesting stores dotted around Christianshavn's quite side streets, and on Christiania. Groceries can be bought in the Super Brugsen on the Christianshavns Torv, Christianshavns central square where the metro station is located.

  • Ceramic Studio and Shop. ilders Plads 9B. 45 32 96 29 20. ttp://www.vincents.dk/. This is a combined studio and shop for the two ceramicists Inge Vincent and Karin Michelsen, carrying products in the beautiful Scandinavian design tradition.

  • Ginnungagab. vergaden oven Vandet 4A. 45 32 54 22 11. -F:11AM-6PM,Sa:11AM-3PM. A place to go for some alternative souvineers, the store is specialized in products of leather and wool, from Scandinavia and Greenland, like clothing, shoes and bags. It also carries the vikings prefered alcohol; mead, and organic vegetables. Have fun pronouncing the name, when asking directions for the store.

  • Pang Christianshavn. ronningensgade 46. 45 21 69 21 02. ttp://www.pangchristianshavn.dk/. This small store carries furniture's and interiors in every color of the rainbow, as long as it packs a punch. Pang is a danish word for colors that stands out.

    Eat

  • Bastionen + Loven. hristianshavns Voldgade 50. '+45'' 32950940. ttp://www.bastionen-loven.dk/. KK 350 for dinner menu, DKK 85 for lunch. ost@bastionen-loven.dk. Nice resataurant in romantic green sourroundings. Serves Danish inspired gourmet food.

  • Cafe Hekla. rinsessegade 59. 45 32 54 87 28. ttp://www.cafehekla.dk. -F:3AM-midnight,Sa:11AM-midnight,Su:11AM-10PM. ains from 110 DKK. Quality bistro style with Christiania across the street and 10 min. walk from the Opera. Serves French and Danish food.

  • Cafe Lynge Larsen. trandgade 50. 45 32 54 46 24. -Th:8AM-10PM,F-Su:10AM-12PM. Sandwiches, traditional smorrebrod, and salads

  • Cafe Wilder. ildersgade 56. 45 32 54 71 83. ttp://www.cafewilder.dk/engelsk.htm. -Th:9AM-midnight,F-Sa:9AM-2AM,Su:9.30AM-midnight. unch from 60 DKK, Mains: 145 DKK. Good simple food for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just a drink.

  • Frederiks Bastion. efshalevej 80. 45 32 57 08 51. ttp://www.frederiksbastion.dk. -Sa:noon-9PM,Su: 11AM-9PM. courses: 279 DKK. Old gunpowder house turned into bar and cafe, big nordic bruch on weekends. Danish food with a french twist.

  • Lynetten. efshalevej 200. 45 32 57 17 08. ttp://www.restaurantlynetten.dk/. -Su:noon-9PM. ish of the day from 62 DKK. Restaurant on the Lynetten Marina, which serves traditional Danish food.

  • Ravelinen. orvegade 79. +45'' 32962045. ttp://www.ravelinen.dk/ravelinen-uk.htm. -Su:11.30AM-midnight. unch from 62 DKK, Mains from 142 DKK. ost@ravelinen.dk. Very traditional summer restaurant in townhouse from 1728, serving traditional Danish cousine including ''smorrebrod'', in either the beautiful building, or on an outdoor balcony with view over a canal. </eat>

  • Spicey Kitchen. orvegade 56. 45 32 95 28 29. ains from DKK 45. Very cheap Indian style food, including some vegetarian dishes.

  • Viva. angebrogade Kaj 570. 45 27 25 05 05. ttp://www.restaurantviva.dk/. -Sa 5.30PM-10PM,Su 5.30PM-9PM. ains from 115 DKK. Unique dining on an old ship docked in the the harbor, stylishly propped up to be a restaurant, with both indoor and and outdoor seating. Perfect for a romantic evening in the summer (open year round)

  • Asador Argentino. vergaden Neden Vandet 17. 45 32 54 54 08. ttp://www.asador.dk. -Su 17.30-midnight. ains from 145 DKK. Argentine restaurant specializing in tasty charcoal grilled Argentine steaks, served with good Argentine wine. Limited outdoor garden seating for summer days.

    Splurge

  • Noma. trandgade 93. 45 32 96 32 97. ttp://www.noma.dk. unch:Tu-F:noon-1.30PM,Dinner:M-Sa:6PM-10PM. ains from 295 DKK. Noma is not only one of the best restaurants in Copenhagen, it has also repeatedly been nominated as one of the best in the word by the reputable British magazine ''Restaurant'', and the Michelin guide. It specializes specifically in Nordic cuisine. The chefs find unique Nordic ingredients and combine them in inventive ways to create meals that really hang together as dinner. Housed in an old brick warehouse on the water, the environs are almost as good as the food. Try the tasting menus (from 700 DKK)-- the things you wouldn't normally choose may well be the best.

  • Era Ora. vergaden neden Vandet 33B. 45 32 54 06 93. ttp://www.eraora.dk/. inner menus from DKK 1100 to 1750 including wine.. Superb and expensive Italian restaurant, which imports it's ingredients directly from Italy, and provides quality service.

    Drink

  • Fingerbollet. ildersgade 39. 45 32 54 67 17. ttp://www.fingerboellet.dk/. -Sa:11AM-02AM,Su:noon-2AM . This bar is unpretentious and old school, a hangout for alcoholics, seamen, and students - who feast on the low prices, and plays a game dices or billiards, with rock or country music blasting out the speakers.

  • Eiffel Bar. ildersgade 58. 45 32 57 70 92. ttp://www.eiffelbar.dk/. aily:9AM-2AM. ottled beers: 14 DKK. Eiffel bar has something of a 30'ties Paris feel to it, although the Can Can girls has disapeared since the place it opened in 1736. The crowd here is as diverse as the district, but definitely not pretentious.

  • Halvandet. efshalevej 325. olmen. 45 70 27 02 96. ttp://www.halvandet.dk/. pen from 11Am until it becomes to cold at night. runch DKK 95, main course DKK 95. Restaurant, bar, and beachbar. Halvandet has two big warehouses. Outside a big area is filled with sand to create, a beach-bar, a beach-wolley fiels, and a beach-football (soccer) field. A warm summer evening, sitting with a cold beer in a beach chair at the edge of the quay, this is probably the most relaxing place in Copenhagen to have a drink.

  • Kontiki Bar. akkeloftvej 1. 45 29 46 54 17. ttp://www.kontikibar.dk/. Bar on poles in the canal behind the architect school. Connect to the restaurant boat, "Ellen". Also have sandwiches and other food.

    Sleep

  • '''Radisson SAS Scandinavia''', Amager Boulevard 70, ''+45'' 33965000. 542 rooms, most with a view over Copenhagen. The Dining Room restaurant is on the 25. floor.
  • Hotel CPH Living. angebrogade Kaj 70. 45 61 60 85 46. ttp://www.cphliving.com. 495 DKK for a double. Opening in summer 2009, this brand new hotel, is more or less a stationary boat floating around in the harbour, with huge floor to ceiling windows facing the water, this is hotel is certainly unique, and possibly providing the best view of any hotel in the city.

    Contact

    '''Guided tours'''

  • <listing name="Christiania guide group" alt="" directions="" address="Badmandsstrade 43" phone="" email="bestilling@rundvisergruppen.dk" fax="+45 32 57 60 05" url="http://www.rundvisergruppen.dk/" hours="summer only, daily 3PM" price="30 DKK"></listing>