Vesterbro

Overview

Vesterbro is a sprawling, dynamic district stretching west from Central Station. Notorious decades ago as a rough red-light district, it has heavily gentrified into Copenhagen's core center for craft cocktails, hip dining, and independent design.

Highlights

• Istedgade: The main artery of the neighborhood, famous for its transition from edgy dive bars to high-end boutiques.
• Sønder Boulevard: An old railway line turned into a lush, green urban park stretching down the center of the district.
• The Meatpacking District (Kødbyen): Right next door, offering the city's highest concentration of trendy restaurants and late-night clubs.

History

Built rapidly in the mid-1800s outside the old city gates to house the booming industrial working class. The dense, poorly constructed tenements led to extreme poverty and crime. Heavy urban renewal in the 1990s dramatically flipped the demolition-slated neighborhood into the trendy area it is today.

Visitor Tips

• Nightlife: This is the absolute best neighborhood in Copenhagen if you are looking for craft beer, natural wine, or late-night cocktails.
• Walking Route: Walk the length of Istedgade down to Enghave Plads, grab a coffee, and loop back up Vesterbrogade.
• Duration: 2–3 hours. Best explored in the late afternoon and evening.