Nørrebro Copenhagen: Neighborhood Guide to the World's Coolest District

TLDR: Nørrebro is Copenhagen's most multicultural and densely populated district. Voted world's coolest neighborhood by Time Out in 2021. Key draws: Superkilen park, Assistens Cemetery, street food, natural wine bars, and weekend flea markets.

Nørrebro is the part of Copenhagen that doesn't try to impress you. It just does. Cross Queen Louise's Bridge from the city centre and the atmosphere shifts immediately: the streets are louder, the restaurants are cheaper, and the mix of languages on any given block is remarkable.

This is Copenhagen's most densely populated and culturally diverse district, home to over 55 nationalities and the kind of raw energy that polished Frederiksberg can't replicate. I noticed this the first time I wandered Nørrebrogade: this place has its own rhythm.

What is the story behind Nørrebro?

Before 1852, Nørrebro was farmland outside Copenhagen's city walls. When restrictions on building outside the walls were lifted that year, a construction boom followed and thousands of workers moved in. By the mid-1900s the population peaked at 125,000.

The name itself comes from the suffix "-bro," which originally referred to the paved districts outside the old city gates.

Nørrebro has always attracted people who push back. The Danish resistance movement during WWII operated from here, and the neighborhood saw intense clashes between squatters and police through the 1980s. The 2007 eviction of Ungdomshuset sparked some of Denmark's biggest riots.

That rebellious streak still runs through the area, even as natural wine bars and design shops have moved in alongside it.

What are the top things to do in Nørrebro?

The top things to do in Nørrebro mix culture, green space, and street life. Here's where to start:

• Assistens Cemetery: Inaugurated in 1760, this is both a park and the resting place of Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, and Niels Bohr. 
• Superkilen: A 750-meter park designed by Bjarke Ingels Group with objects collected from over 60 countries, divided into red, black, and green zones. 
• Jægersborggade: A narrow street packed with ceramics shops, cafes, natural wine spots, and local designers. 
• Queen Louise's Bridge: One of Copenhagen's busiest cycling routes and a popular hangout spot overlooking the lakes.

Locals treat Assistens Cemetery like a regular park. You'll see people sunbathing and having picnics between the gravestones, which feels strange at first but is completely normal here.

What are the hidden gems in Nørrebro?

The best hidden gems in Nørrebro don't make the tourist lists. Blågårdsgade is a narrow pedestrian street with second-hand shops, small galleries, and a neighborhood feel that busy Nørrebrogade has lost. The weekend flea markets along Assistens Cemetery (warmer months only) are where locals sell everything from vintage furniture to old vinyl.

If you want to connect these spots into a walking route with stories about the neighborhood's history, StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide builds audio walks based on your interests, whether that's street art, food culture, or Copenhagen's counterculture history.

Where are the best places to eat in Nørrebro?

The best places to eat in Nørrebro reflect the neighborhood's diversity. You'll find everything from shawarma joints and ramen spots to Michelin-recognized restaurants within a few blocks. The multicultural food scene here is one of the strongest in Scandinavia, and prices are generally lower than in the city centre.

Jægersborggade and the streets around Sankt Hans Torv have the highest concentration of quality restaurants. Nørrebro is also Copenhagen's capital of natural wine, with more natural wine bars than any other district in the city.

Where is the best coffee in Nørrebro?

The best coffee in Nørrebro comes from independent roasters and small cafes along Jægersborggade, Blågårdsgade, and around Sankt Hans Torv. The cafe culture here is less polished than Frederiksberg's but more interesting. Expect mismatched furniture, local art on the walls, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere where people sit for hours.

Danes take coffee seriously, and Nørrebro's cafes tend to prioritize quality beans over aesthetics. Several spots roast their own.

Why was Nørrebro voted the world's coolest neighborhood?

Time Out Magazine named Nørrebro the world's coolest neighborhood in 2021, based on a poll of 27,000 city-dwellers combined with expert evaluation. The award highlighted the district's diverse history, ultramodern architecture like Superkilen, and a food and drink scene that keeps evolving with new bakeries and natural wine bars.

Having visited, I think the award makes sense. Nørrebro has an energy that feels genuine rather than manufactured. It's not trying to be cool, which is probably why it is.

How do you get to Nørrebro?

Nørrebro sits just north of Copenhagen's lakes, connected to the city centre by Queen Louise's Bridge. The Metro's City Circle Line (M3) stops at Nørrebros Runddel, and buses 5C and 6A run along Nørrebrogade. From the airport, take the Metro to Nørreport (about 15 minutes) and walk across the bridge.

The best way to get around is by bike. Nørrebrogade is one of Copenhagen's busiest cycling streets, and rental bikes are available throughout the area.

Is it worth visiting Nørrebro?

Yes, especially if you want to see a side of Copenhagen that canal tours and Nyhavn photos don't show. Nørrebro is loud, diverse, occasionally messy, and completely real. If you prefer Frederiksberg's polished calm or the postcard prettiness of the inner city, Nørrebro might feel rough around the edges.

But if you're curious about how Copenhagen actually lives, this is where to go. Give it half a day. Walk Jægersborggade, sit in Assistens Cemetery, eat something you can't pronounce, and let the neighborhood do its thing.

How to explore Nørrebro your way?

Want to discover Nørrebro - or any of the other amazing neighborhoods of Copenhagen - with stories guiding you along the way? StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide creates custom audio walks based on your interests. 

The interactive map helps you explore at your own pace, connecting Superkilen, Assistens Cemetery, and the neighborhood's best streets into a personalized route.