Frederiksberg Copenhagen: The Neighborhood That Thinks It's Its Own City

TLDR: Frederiksberg is Copenhagen's greenest, most polished neighborhood with royal gardens, Copenhagen Zoo, underground art space, and tree-lined boulevards. Technically its own municipality. Great for parks, cafes, and a slower pace. Budget half a day.

Frederiksberg is the part of Copenhagen that Copenhageners will proudly tell you isn't actually Copenhagen. It's a separate municipality, completely surrounded by the capital, with its own mayor and its own attitude.

I noticed this the first time I visited: the streets are wider, the buildings are better maintained, and the parks feel like they belong to a smaller, calmer city. If Vesterbro is Copenhagen's edgy side and Nørrebro its multicultural heart, Frederiksberg is where the city exhales.

It's green, quiet, and surprisingly interesting once you know where to look.

What is the story behind Frederiksberg?

Frederiksberg's history starts in 1651 when King Frederik III settled Dutch farmers here to introduce modern farming techniques to Denmark. The area was originally called Ny Hollenderby (New Dutchman-town). When Frederik IV built a palace on the hilltop between 1700 and 1703, the town was renamed Frederiksberg after him.

For centuries it remained a small town outside Copenhagen's walls, with wealthy citizens using properties as summer houses. After building restrictions were lifted in 1852, the population exploded from 3,000 to 80,000 by 1900. When Copenhagen expanded its boundaries in 1901 by absorbing surrounding municipalities, Frederiksberg refused to join. It remains an independent enclave to this day.

What are the top things to do in Frederiksberg?

The green spaces are the main draw. Here are the top things to do in Frederiksberg:

• Frederiksberg Gardens: English-style landscaped park around the 18th-century palace, with canals where you can rent boats. 
• Copenhagen Zoo: Founded in 1859, one of Europe's oldest zoos with over 4,000 animals and a Norman Foster-designed Elephant House. 
• Cisternerne: Underground contemporary art space in a former water reservoir beneath Søndermarken park. 
• Frederiksberg Allé: Historic boulevard originally built as the king's private road to his palace in 1703

One detail I appreciate: from the edge of Frederiksberg Gardens, you can actually watch the elephants in Copenhagen Zoo without buying a ticket. The wall was opened up to give park visitors a free glimpse.

What are the hidden gems in Frederiksberg?

The best hidden gems in Frederiksberg are the smaller green spaces most visitors skip. Søndermarken, the park across from Frederiksberg Gardens, was originally Frederik VI's private hunting grounds in the 1730s. It feels wilder and more secluded than its famous neighbor, with dense woodland and hilly terrain perfect for getting lost in.

Landbøhøjskolens Have is a small botanical garden belonging to the University of Copenhagen that barely anyone visits. The critically acclaimed Cafe Væksthuset sits inside, overlooking the gardens. If you want the stories behind these places while walking, StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide creates audio walks that connect Frederiksberg's royal history with its quiet corners.

Where are the best places to eat in Frederiksberg?

Frederiksberg's dining scene leans upscale but there's range. The best places to eat in Frederiksberg cluster around Frederiksberg Allé and Værnedamsvej, the street it shares with Vesterbro. You'll find everything from French bistros to Italian trattorias, and the quality is consistently high.

What I've noticed is that prices are slightly lower than equivalent restaurants in the inner city, and you're far less likely to be surrounded by tourists. The Saturday flea market at Frederiksberg Bredegade (April to October) is also worth combining with a meal nearby.

Where is the best coffee in Frederiksberg?

Frederiksberg takes its cafe culture seriously. The best coffee in Frederiksberg comes with atmosphere to match. The area is known for independent cafes with character rather than the third-wave minimalism you find in Nørrebro or Vesterbro. Many spots lean into a more classic European style with outdoor seating on wide sidewalks.

The cafe density along Gammel Kongevej and around Sankt Thomas Plads makes for easy hopping between spots. If you want to combine a coffee stop with local history, The Personal Tour Guide can weave cafe recommendations into a walking route through the neighborhood.

Is Frederiksberg part of Copenhagen?

Technically, no. Frederiksberg is an independent municipality with its own mayor, city hall, and municipal council. It's been this way since it refused to merge with Copenhagen in 1901, making it a municipal island within the capital. In practice, though, it functions as a Copenhagen neighborhood and most visitors won't notice any difference crossing the border.

Locals are proud of the distinction. Ask a Frederiksberg resident if they live in Copenhagen and you might get a correction.

Is it worth visiting Frederiksberg?

Yes, especially if you've already seen Nyhavn and Tivoli and want something different. Frederiksberg won't give you the gritty energy of Vesterbro or the street-level buzz of Nørrebro. What it offers is space, beauty, and the feeling of a city that takes care of itself. The gardens alone justify a visit, and the surrounding streets reward wandering.

Half a day is enough to see the highlights. Start at the gardens, walk Frederiksberg Allé, and end with coffee on a quiet side street. It's not the most exciting part of Copenhagen, and that's exactly the point.

How to explore Frederiksberg your way?

Want to discover Frederiksberg's royal history or some of the many other neighbourhoods of Copenhagen? StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide creates custom audio walks based on your interests, from garden design and architecture to local food and Danish culture. 

The interactive map helps you explore at your own pace and find spots most visitors miss.