Denmark · Capital Region of Denmark · Copenhagen
Christianshavn, Copenhagen — Area Guide & Where to Stay
Christianshavn is the canal quarter of Copenhagen, a district of artificial islands laid out by Christian IV in the 17th century.
About Christianshavn
Where to stay in Christianshavn
Each area has its own feel; here's who each one suits.
Christianshavn sits on its own islands in eastern Copenhagen, cut off from the rest of the centre by the Inner Harbour and laced with canals. It suits travellers who want the most nautical corner of the city, with the spiral spire of the Vor Frelsers Kirke overhead and the waterfront of Nordatlantens Brygge across the basin. Beds here are few.
A short bridge or metro hop reaches the old core of Copenhagen. Stay by the canals for the quiet harbour side.
Things to do in Christianshavn
Ranked by global recognition; descriptions from Wikidata (CC0).
Museums & Galleries
8- Rundetårn Heritage 17th-century tower located
- Designmuseum Danmark Heritage
- Krigsmuseet Heritage Military museum
- Nikolaj Kunsthal Heritage
- Medicinsk Museion Heritage museum and research unit
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- Dansk Arkitektur Center communication and development centre
- Nordatlantens Brygge culture centre
- Dansk Design Center Denmark's national center for design
Churches & Religious Sites
3- Marmorkirken
- Vor Frelsers Kirke
- Helligåndskirken
Castles & Historic Sites
1- Caritasbrønden Heritage fountain
Landmarks & Notable Places
1- Højbro Plads rectangular public square between the adjoining Amagertorv and Slotsholmen Canal
worth knowingacross 4 categories in Christianshavn
About Christianshavn
What are the main landmarks in Christianshavn?
The Vor Frelsers Kirke owns the district's skyline, its external spiral spire winding up to a viewing platform above the canals. Along the water, the Nordatlantens Brygge fills an old North Atlantic warehouse with exhibitions, and the Dansk Arkitektur Center shows architecture and design beside the harbour. Lille Mølle keeps a small windmill on the old rampart.
Across the Inner Harbour, the museum quarter of Copenhagen runs on, with the Thorvaldsens Museum and the Nationalmuseet a short walk from the bridge. The canals are the real draw.
What is the history of Christianshavn?
Christian IV founded Christianshavn early in the 17th century. He raised it on reclaimed ground between Zealand and Amager as an extension of the fortifications of Copenhagen, laying it out as an independent privileged merchant's town on a Dutch model of canals and ramparts. The new town was soon incorporated into Copenhagen proper, but it kept the grid of waterways that still defines it.
Vor Frelsers Kirke rose over the canals. The harbour set the quarter apart.
Where is Christianshavn?
On the eastern side of Copenhagen, in eastern Denmark, Christianshavn lies on artificial islands between Zealand and Amager, set off from the city centre by the Inner Harbour and threaded with canals.
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More areas in Copenhagen
Updated July 2026