The Best Things To Do In Nørrebro

Nørrebro has a unique vibe, which is hard to find anywhere else on earth. The neighbourhood in the north of Copenhagen is a laid back, liberal, creative and multi-cultural area, which has a pace of life that makes you smile.  It’s been called the coolest neighbourhood on earth by Time Magazine and with good reason.

It’s the creative heart of the Danish capital, with streets packed with street art, music venues, exhibition spaces and galleries.  It has a food and drink scene which rivals most, boasting Michelin star restaurants, world famous craft beer breweries and many coffee roasteries. 

It excels in shopping options too with high end boutiques, vintage clothes and record stores, smattered among delicatessens and market stalls.   It’s a place where the world community means a lot and people live very socially, with excellent parks, mass participation festivals and regular street parties. 

It’s very rare you feel this relaxed pace of life in the centre of a city, yet it throbs with excitement too, with an easy going and eco-conscious population.  It’s a melting pot of cultures, creativity and liberality, which makes it one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in Europe.

Join us as we jump into the area and highlight the best things to do in Nørrebro…

Our Guide to the Best Things to Do in Nørrebro

Food heaven 

Nørrebro is a foodie’s dream. 

You can find almost any country’s food on earth in and around the neighbourhood.

The area is incredibly multi-cultural and its residents from around the world, along with local entrepreneurs, have created an explosion of incredible eateries.

Michelin star restaurants, tasty independents from around the world and delicious street food vendors all sit side by side in Nørrebro. 

The area has garnered a real reputation as result and it’s now viewed as one of the best places to eat in Europe. 

Wander the streets and see where catches your eye – you’ll never leave Nørrebro hungry. 

Here are some of our favourites: 

Michelin Star restaurants in Nørrebro:

• Kiin Kiin – Thai – 1 Michelin Star – Guldbergsgade 21, Copenhagen, 2200 N, Denmark
• Jatak – Danish/Asian fushion – 1 Michelin Star – Rantzausgade 39, Copenhagen, 2200 N, Denmark

Mid-priced restaurants in Nørrebro:

• Bæst – Pizza – voted among best on earth – Guldbergsgade 29, 2200 København N, Denmark
• Ramen to Biiru – Japanese – Griffenfeldsgade 28, 2200 København, Denmark
• Cicchetti – Italian small plates – Nørrebrogade 56, 2200 København, Denmark
• Sasaa – African fushion – Blågårdsgade 2A, 2200 København, Denmark
• Sufra – Lebanese – Nørrebrogade 180B, 2200 København, Denmark

Best street eats: 

• Poulette – fried chicken sandwiches – Møllegade 1, 2200 København, Denmark
• Ugud – Uganda street food – Jægersborggade 39, 2200 København, Denmark
• Eat shawarma – the streets of Nørrebrogade are filled with shawarma takeaways, there are lots of very good ones, so take your pick.
• Torvehallerne – central market with 100s of small independent food businesses – Frederiksborggade 21, 1362 København, Denmark
  

Street art and graffiti spotting

Nørrebro attracts street artists from around the world and its become the most painted neighbourhood in Denmark.

You won’t go far in the area before spotting enormous murals down the side of full buildings and many other colourful illegal pieces on the neighbourhood’s walls, vans and on the metro line which runs through the area.

There are legal locations in Nørrebro where it’s ok to paint at any time, so there’s a strong chance you may spot artists at work while visiting the area. 

The area oozes creativity and it’s a joy to walk around as a result. 

 

Nørrebro’s Café culture 

The Danish really take their coffee seriously and Nørrebro has some of the country’s best coffee spots and roasteries. 

In the warmer months the area’s pavements and squares are full of people sipping coffee outside cafes, which have a reputation far larger than the country’s borders.

Meanwhile, in the dark and cold of a Danish winter, the cafes nail the Danish ethos of hygge. 

Hygge is more than just a Scandi word, it’s an actual feeling which Danes aim to create, “a mood and quality of cosiness, which creates contentment and improves well-being”. 

Think roaring fires, cosy blankets, warm candle-lit cafes and hearty food, alongside excellent coffee. 

Our top picks:

• Coffee Collective Jægersborggade – Jægersborggade 57, 2200 København, Denmark
• Anderson & Maillard – Nørrebrogade 62, 2200 København, Denmark
• Darcy’s – Rantzausgade 2, 2200 København N, Denmark
• Arrebo – Midgårdsgade 1, 2200 København, Denmark
• The Artisan – Sortedam Dossering 45A, 2200 København, Denmark

 

Enjoy Park life in Nørrebro

Copenhagen is a very green city, with fantastic parks dotted around it and Nørrebro has a number on that list. 

Copenhageners are social beasts and during the warmer months in particular the parks and public spaces are filled with people having barbeques, enjoying a drink, playing sports and sharing each other’s company. 

The neighbourhood’s streets and parks throb with activity over the summer months and it’s a great place to relax, people watch and meet some locals. 

Our favourites:

• Norrebroparken Nord – large park with many sports facilities, big open grass patch and surrounded with kids play areas, bars and cafes – Stefansgade, 2200 København, Denmark
• Assistens Cemetery – large tree lined park with cycle lanes and also the resting place of many of Denmark’s most famous faces – Kapelvej 2, 2200 København N, Denmark
• The Black Square – large futuristic park, which runs along the north of Copenhagen, filled with skateparks, gym equipment & cycle lanes – 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark

Breweries 

Denmark is right up there among the leaders in the world of craft beer.

The city’s gained a reputation for being one of the best places to enjoy a beer on earth and Nørrebro is dotted with world famous breweries, great smaller ones and other outstanding taprooms and cosy bars. 

 

Mikkeller, the highly regarded Copenhagen brewery, have a presence in the area, as do the legendry To Øl. 

There are also a number of smaller operations, which are punching well above their weight and have great taprooms in the area, including Flying Couch Brewery and Nørrebro Bryghus.

Quite frankly, Nørrebro is a beer lover’s paradise. 

Our favourites:

• Brus – Guldbergsgade 29, 2200 København, Denmark
• Mikkeller and Friends – Stefansgade 35, KLD, 2200 København, Denmark
• Nørrebro Bryghhus – Ryesgade 3, 2200 København, Denmark
• Olbaren – Elmegade 2, 2200 København, Denmark
• Brewers Inc – Gormsgade 25, 2200 København, Denmark

Just north of Nørrebro:

• Flying Couch Brewery – Bygmestervej 6, 2400 København, Denmark
• Nordvest Olbar – Sporemagervej 2, 2400 København, Denmark

Skateboard

Copenhagen draws skateboarders in from all over the world.

The city’s skate-friendly architecture and liberal approach to skateboarding around local buildings, creates the perfect conditions for a skateboarder’s dream trip.

Nørrebro is at the heart of the city’s skate scene, with a number of excellent free skateparks and plenty of interesting architecture to skate around. 

Every year the area also hosts the Copenhagen Open skateboard competition, which draws in top pros to take on the city’s streets, with many locations around Nørrebro used. It’s also free to watch.

You can also rent skateboards at various venues around the city, so you don’t have to bring your board with you on your travels.   

Our favourite skateparks:

• Nørrebro Skatepark – 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
• Norrebroruten Skatepark – 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark 
• Fælledparken Skatepark – Edel Sauntes Allé 3, 2100 København, Denmark

Cycle around Nørrebro

Copenhagen is the unofficial cycling capital of the world.

The city has 385km of cycle lanes and there are around 750,000 bikes owned by locals in the city, and many more rental bikes. 

You can’t go anywhere in Nørrebro without encountering bikes whizzing past and it’s absolutely the way to move around in the area. 

Join the locals and hop on board a rental bike – there are many local shops offering rental services and there are other smartphone apps, which have rental bikes on the neighbourhood’s streets. 

The area’s cycling profile is so highly regarded the 2022 Tour de France visited the area, with the world’s top pros riding through Nørrebro’s streets as part of the Grand Depart.  

Vintage shopping

Nørrebro has a vast array of excellent vintage shops and it attracts people from all over the city who are trying to seek a bargain.

Denmark isn’t the cheapest country on earth and it’s that, along with the city’s fashionable and eco-minded residents, which has created a wonderful environment to pick up a vintage steal.

There are a number of large vintage stores and smaller boutiques, which offer affordable recycled clothes. 

You’ll be able to find styles from throughout the ages, so go grab yourself a bargain. 

Life by the lake

Separating Nørrebro and the historic heart of Copenhagen’s city centre are a number of lakes, with various bridges connecting the two areas together.

The waterway is a hub of activity throughout the year – with people running and cycling along its banks all year round, people sunbathing in the summer and enjoying picnics (with the great Torvehallerne covered market just 5 minutes’ walk away). 

The bridges also come alive throughout summer days and nights. It’s normal to find Nørrebro locals enjoying beers together as the sun sets, dancing around big speakers and having parties lasting through the night. 

It’s a slice of Nørrebro life which you don’t see in many other places and is another indication of the liberal attitude of the authorities and the social attitude of the local people. 

Soak up Nørrebro’s left-wing heritage 

Nørrebro is a hub of left-wing politics in Denmark and has attracted activists for many years.

Large squats and creative centres have had a place in the area over its recent history and it still draws many people to the area for its liberal vibe.

You don’t have to go very far to spot the signs, with many slogans adorned to local buildings and tonnes of anti-fascist insignia.

The area also is a hub for protests in Copenhagen and is Copenhagen’s answer to Berlin’s Kreuzberg. 

Visit the Markets of Nørrebro

Nørrebro is full of creatives and independent producers. 

As a result, the area has lots of great street markets, selling everything from fresh food to artwork, clothes and many other items. 

You can find pop-up stalls dotted all around the area and, particularly in the warmer months, you can’t go far without being sucked in by the hustle and bustle of local stalls.

It’s a brilliant way to embrace the level of creative talent in the city. 

Meanwhile, just south of Nørrebro, a 5 minute walk (max) from the neighbourhood, you’ll find the city’s incredible Torvehallerne. 

The covered market has a 100s of independent business stalls, including street food, gourmet food producers, flower sellers, fresh vegetables and a number of bars. 

It’s an absolute must during your time in Nørrebro.

Address – Torvehallerne – Frederiksborggade 21, 1362 København, Denmark 

Eat pastries 

Denmark is famous for its pastries and in Nørrebro  you can find some of the city’s best.

It’s a good job you’re likely to be cycling all around Copenhagen, because there are bakeries on almost every corner offering delicious sweet treats. 

Get stuck in and enjoy some of the finest pastries in Europe. 

Our favourites:

• Anderson & Maillard – Nørrebrogade 62, 2200 København, Denmark
• Collective Bakery, Nørrebrogade 176, 2200 København, Denmark
• Meyers Bageri, Jægersborggade 9, 2200 København N, Denmark
• Mirabelle, Denmark, Guldbergsgade 29, 2200 København, Denmark

Exercise

We’ve already touched upon the Danes’ healthy habits, particularly their immense cycling culture, but it doesn’t stop there.

Danes enjoy their food and their beer, so some will be amazed to see so many healthy and athletic looking Nørrebro locals buzzing around the area’s streets. 

But look closely and you’ll notice free sports equipment dotted all over the neighbourhood. 

Nørrebro is peppered with free outdoor gym equipment, skateparks, football pitches, tennis courts, dedicated running routes, cycle lanes and many other places to get a sweat on – and costing absolutely nothing. 

It’s a good way to sweat out the calories you’ve devoured at the area’s brilliant eateries and bars. 

Big events and parties in Nørrebro

Nørrebro plays to many large events throughout the year. 

The area’s social attitude and creative vibe, draws people from all over the city and further afield and it has a packed events’ calendar as a result. 

It isn’t rare to find street parties, large public concerts, sporting events, parades and protests all taking to the city’s streets.  

Nørrebro has a youthful feel, where people want to share a space together, and it’s that wonderful sense of community, which makes the area so vibrant. 

The home of Denmark’s National Football Team and FC Copenhagen is on the eastern edge of Nørrebro.

Here are some of the events to watch out for:

Distortion 

This is Copenhagen’s biggest street party and electronic music festival.

More than 100,000 people descend on Nørrebro to party in the area’s streets to watch world famous DJs and many of the city’s local talent. 

It’s accompanied by street food fairs, on street beer tents and a crazy party atmosphere.

The festival moves to a different area of the city each day, before culminating in a major event on the final day, elsewhere in the city. 

The scenes in Nørrebro are among the wildest, with the streets packed with people throughout the day and night. 

Dates – 31^st May to 4^th June.

48 Hours Festival

Every May Nørrebro’s streets come alive for a 2 day long cultural festival. 

The goal of the organisers is to bring the local community together, strengthen bonds and showcase Copenhagen’s artistic talent. 

Last year 100 official events were held over the weekend – with performances taking place in the streets, local bars, cafes and restaurants. 

It draws more than 10,000 people to the neighbourhood, which buzzes with creativity

Not only that, but it’s free too – what’s not to like?!

Dates – 12 to 14^th May.

Copenhagen Open 

This world famous skateboard competition draws top professional athletes to Nørrebro from across the world and thousands of people come down to watch them do their stuff.

It’s actually a city-wide skateboard fiesta, but many of the events are held around Nørrebro.

Thousands of people come down to watch the top pros ply their trade throughout the city.

Another excellent free Nørrebro event.

Date – summer (changes every year)

Copenhagen Marathon

Every May thousands of runners descent on Copenhagen to take on the city’s marathon and over 100,000 people turn out to watch.

The race includes a large section through Nørrebro, taking in almost the full length of the neighbourhood’s long central thoroughfare, called Nørrebrogade. 

Date – 15^th May

Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival 

Copenhagen hosts one of Europe’s biggest food festivals every year and the whole city mucks in to put it on.

Events are held throughout the city, including many in Nørrebro. 

There are big street parties organised, where people share food on residential streets and many of Nørrebro’s restaurants fling open their doors to host workshops, cooking displays and special food orientated events. 

It’s certainly one not for the foodies amongst us to miss. 

Dates – 18^th to 27^th August. 

Final Thoughts

There you have it, our best things to do in Nørrebro guide. 

It quite rightly holds the title for being the coolest neighbourhood on the planet.

The area has qualities, which many cities can only aspire to have – with a fun, friendly and liberal population, who love to share their streets together. 

It’s a youthful melting pot of creativity and cultures, which seems to operate seamlessly, giving an air of a utopia, with incredible food and drink and free public attractions, along with many events. 

We think it’s as good as it gets and hope you enjoy it too. 

So what are you waiting for?