The best area to stay in Copenhagen + my top hotels

Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by Ioana

If you’re wondering what the best area to stay in Copenhagen is, I’ll break it down for you in this article.

Copenhagen is compact, easy to navigate, and has excellent public transportation.

The metro makes it particularly easy to get around. So staying a little outside the most touristy parts of the city can save you a surprising amount of money.

I learned this firsthand during my trip. I stayed at the AC Hotel by Marriott Bella Sky, about 15–20 minutes from central Copenhagen by metro.

And I saved approximately €1,000 on a five-night stay compared with the more central options I was considering.

That said, if it’s your first time in Copenhagen, staying in Indre By is incredibly convenient. Let’s go over all options. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Indre By: Best area for first-time visitors

If you’re visiting Copenhagen for the first time and want to be in the middle of everything, Indre By is probably the best area to stay.

This is Copenhagen’s historic inner city. And it’s where you’ll find many of the top attractions in Copenhagen.

You’ll be within easy walking distance of:

• Nyhavn
• Round Tower
• Christiansborg Palace
• Copenhagen City Hall
• Strøget
• Kongens Nytorv
• Plenty of restaurants and coffee shops

It’s also a great base if you’re following my 2-day Copenhagen itinerary. Many of the places I recommend visiting are concentrated in or around this part of the city.

The downside is price. Hotels in central Copenhagen can be expensive, particularly during the busiest travel periods.

But if you’re only visiting for a couple of days, I think paying a little more for a central location can be worth it. You can spend your time sightseeing instead of commuting.

Hotel Sanders

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 9.0/10 (584 reviews) 
💲 Luxury • 👉 Check current prices here

If you want a stylish boutique hotel in a fantastic location, Hotel Sanders is one of my top picks.

It’s located close to Kongens Nytorv. And within walking distance of Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, and many of Copenhagen’s best bakeries.

The hotel has a sophisticated Nordic design with warm interiors rather than the sometimes sterile look you get at larger luxury hotels.

It’s particularly appealing if you’re looking for a more intimate experience than a huge luxury hotel.

The location is also excellent for exploring Copenhagen on foot. You can walk to many of the city’s main sights, then come back to a quieter, more elegant hotel at the end of the day.

Hotel Bethel

⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 9.1/10 (3,848 reviews) 
💲 Budget • 👉 Check current prices here

If you want to stay in the heart of Copenhagen without paying luxury hotel prices, then Hotel Bethel is a great option.

It’s located right by Nyhavn, which gives you an incredibly convenient location for sightseeing.

You can walk to many of the main attractions, restaurants, and shopping streets. And you’re also close to public transportation.

The rooms are relatively simple compared with Copenhagen’s luxury hotels.

But if your priority is location and you’re planning to spend most of your day exploring, this is a good choice.

And honestly, waking up just steps from one of Copenhagen’s prettiest areas is hard to complain about.

Vesterbro: Best for restaurants, bars, and nightlife

Vesterbro is one of Copenhagen’s coolest neighborhoods. It’s also a particularly good choice if you’re interested in restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and nightlife.

The neighborhood has changed significantly in recent decades. What was once a rougher part of the city is now one of Copenhagen’s most popular areas.

It now offers independent restaurants, wine bars, craft beer, and contemporary design.

It’s also home to the Meatpacking District, one of my favorite areas to recommend for food and nightlife.

Vesterbro is close enough to the main attractions that you won’t feel like you’re staying far away.

Copenhagen Central Station is right here, too. So it’s incredibly convenient if you’re arriving by train or taking a day trip from Copenhagen.

And, of course, Tivoli Gardens is just a short walk away.

Villa Copenhagen

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 8.9/10 (1,358 reviews) 
💲 Luxury • 👉 Check current prices here

Villa Copenhagen is one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the neighborhood.

It’s housed in the former Central Post & Telegraph Head Office, so you get an interesting combination of historic architecture and contemporary Nordic interiors.

The hotel has stylish rooms, multiple dining options, a fitness center, and a beautiful outdoor pool.

Its location beside Copenhagen Central Station is particularly convenient.

You can walk to Tivoli Gardens in minutes. And you’re also within easy reach of the main shopping streets and attractions in central Copenhagen.

If you want a luxury hotel with a more contemporary feel and a convenient location, then this is a great choice.

Absalon Hotel

⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 8.6/10 (2,434 reviews) 
💲 Budget • 👉 Check current prices here

Absalon Hotel is a good mid-range option if you want to stay in Vesterbro without spending luxury hotel prices.

It’s close to Copenhagen Central Station and Tivoli Gardens, so you can easily explore the city on foot or use public transportation.

The hotel has colorful, contemporary interiors and a more relaxed atmosphere than some of Copenhagen’s traditional luxury properties.

It’s particularly well suited to travelers who want a good location but don’t need a huge hotel room or lots of extra amenities.

Christianshavn: Best for a picturesque, local feel

If you want somewhere that feels a little slower and more residential while still being close to the city center, consider Christianshavn.

This neighborhood is built around canals and is one of the prettiest parts of Copenhagen.

You’ll find colorful buildings, boats, cafés, and cobblestone streets, and it’s a great place to simply wander without a specific destination.

It’s also close to Freetown Christiania, so this is a particularly good area if that’s something you want to explore.

One of my favorite things to do in Copenhagen was simply walking around the city’s canals, so I think staying in Christianshavn would be a lovely choice if you enjoy that atmosphere.

NH Collection Copenhagen

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 9.0/10 (6,099 reviews) 
💲 Luxury • 👉 Check current prices here

NH Collection Copenhagen is a modern luxury hotel right on the harbor in Christianshavn.

Many of the rooms have views over the water, and the hotel’s contemporary design fits particularly well with the architecture of this part of Copenhagen.

The location is excellent for exploring Christianshavn and getting to central Copenhagen.

It’s also a good option if you like having more space and hotel amenities while still being close to the historic parts of the city.

CPH Living

⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 8.7/10 (731 reviews) 
💲 Budget • 👉 Check current prices here

For something completely different, CPH Living is a floating hotel.

Yes, you can actually stay on a boat in Copenhagen.

The hotel has a limited number of rooms, making it a much more unique stay than a standard city hotel.

It’s located on the water near the city center, so you can combine the novelty of staying on a boat with easy access to Copenhagen’s attractions.

If you’re looking for a memorable or unusual hotel rather than simply the most practical option, this is worth considering.

Frederiksberg: Best for green space and a slower pace

If you prefer a quieter residential neighborhood with plenty of green space, Frederiksberg is one of the best places to stay.

Frederiksberg technically sits within Copenhagen but has its own distinct identity. It’s more residential and relaxed than Indre By, with tree-lined streets, beautiful architecture, independent shops, and cafés.

The biggest advantage is the amount of green space.

Frederiksberg Gardens is one of the city’s most beautiful parks, and you’ll also be close to the Copenhagen Botanical Gardens and Assistens Cemetery depending on exactly where you stay.

This is a good choice for longer stays or travelers who don’t necessarily want to sleep in the middle of the tourist area every night.

Hotel Ottilia

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 8.8/10 (3,694 reviews)
💲 Mid-range • 👉 Check current prices here

Hotel Ottilia is a stylish boutique hotel located in the historic Carlsberg City District.

The hotel combines historic buildings with contemporary interiors, so it’s a good option if you like hotels with a little personality rather than generic modern rooms.

It’s also close to restaurants, cafés, and the former Carlsberg brewery area.

While it’s not right in the center, public transportation makes getting into central Copenhagen relatively easy.

Ørestad: Best for saving money

This is where I stayed, and it’s the neighborhood I’d recommend if saving money is one of your priorities.

Ørestad is south of central Copenhagen and looks very different from the historic center.

Instead of colorful old buildings and cobblestone streets, you’ll find contemporary architecture. So think large modern buildings, shopping centers, and wide open spaces.

It’s not the area I’d choose if you want to step outside your hotel and immediately feel like you’re in the historic heart of Copenhagen.

But here’s the thing: Copenhagen’s metro makes up for it.

The M1 line connects Ørestad directly to the central parts of the city, and the ride takes only around 15–20 minutes.

And because you’re close to Copenhagen Airport, this can also be a convenient option if you’re flying in or out.

AC Hotel by Marriott Bella Sky

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 8.2/10 (12,299 reviews)
💲 Mid-range • 👉 Check current prices here

This is where I stayed in Copenhagen. I was genuinely impressed by how much money I saved by staying here.

I paid about €1,000 less for five nights than I would have for some of the central hotels I was considering. Say what?

The hotel is huge and very modern! It has two striking towers that make it one of the most recognizable buildings in the area. Look at its funky shape haha. I loved it.

The Bella Center metro station is about a five-minute walk away. And from there it’s approximately 15–20 minutes into central Copenhagen.

So yes, you’re not staying in the heart of the city, but I never found the location inconvenient.

And I also got a very pleasant surprise when I checked in.

The hotel upgraded me for free to a corner suite with a view, without me asking. The staff were incredibly friendly throughout my stay, and I was very happy with the experience.

My impression of the room

My room wasn’t enormous, but it had exactly the right amount of space and felt comfortable for a five-night stay.

The bathroom was also spacious enough, and I loved seeing toiletries from Korres, the Greek beauty company.

There was instant coffee and tea in the room. One small detail I appreciated was the sign next to the sink confirming that Copenhagen tap water is safe to drink. So no need to buy water. Yay!

The elevators were also impressively fast, which makes sense given the size and height of the hotel. You enter your floor on a panel outside the elevator.

And the system tells you which elevator to take. It reminded me of the elevator systems I used to see in skyscrapers during my corporate days in New York.

I didn’t get the hotel breakfast because I had a very important mission. That was eating cardamom buns from as many Copenhagen bakeries as possible.

There are also plenty of conveniences nearby. Within a few minutes’ walk you’ll find a Netto supermarket, a coffee shop, a bakery, and several restaurants.

I ate at Momo Burger and Rangoli, an Indian restaurant, and both were good. They weren’t particularly cheap, but that’s honestly true of a lot of dining in Copenhagen.

For me, the combination of the metro access, comfortable hotel, friendly staff, and huge savings made this a great deal.

If you’re visiting Copenhagen on a budget I’d absolutely consider staying here.

So, where should you stay in Copenhagen?

Here’s my quick guide:

• First-time visitors: Stay in Indre By. You’ll be surrounded by the city’s historic sights and within easy walking distance of many of the best things to do.
• Restaurants and nightlife: Choose Vesterbro, especially if you like wine bars, craft beer, and the Meatpacking District.
• Canals and a picturesque atmosphere: Stay in Christianshavn.
• Quieter, greener neighborhood: Choose Frederiksberg.
• Saving money: Consider Ørestad. This is my top pick if you’re comfortable taking the metro into central Copenhagen.

My top tip for booking Copenhagen hotels

Don’t automatically assume you need to stay in the most central area.

Copenhagen’s metro is excellent. And accommodation prices can vary dramatically between central areas and neighborhoods just outside the tourist zone.

I saved approximately €1,000 over five nights by staying at AC Hotel Bella Sky rather than choosing a more central hotel.

If you’re staying for only 24–48 hours, I’d probably pay extra for a central location. But if you’re visiting for several days, that money could be better spent on restaurants, experiences, and a day trip.

And if you’re planning to visit several attractions, look into the Copenhagen Card before buying individual tickets.

It includes access to 80+ attractions and public transportation, and Copenhagen’s individual transportation costs can add up surprisingly quickly.

FAQs about where to stay in Copenhagen

What is the best location to stay in Copenhagen for first-time visitors?

Indre By is the best area for most first-time visitors. You’ll be close to many of Copenhagen’s main attractions.

Is it better to stay in central Copenhagen?

If you only have a short trip, I’d say yes. Staying centrally means you can walk to many attractions and spend less time commuting.

However, Copenhagen’s metro is excellent, so staying outside the center can save you a significant amount of money.

Where should I stay in Copenhagen on a budget?

Look at neighborhoods outside the historic center, particularly Ørestad.

I stayed at AC Hotel Bella Sky and saved around €1,000 over five nights compared with more central options.

How many days should I spend in Copenhagen?

I’d recommend at least two full days for your first visit.

Two days gives you enough time to see the main attractions and experience some of Copenhagen’s famous food scene.

If you have extra time, I’d add a day trip. Malmö, Sweden is an easy option, and you can also explore other parts of Denmark.

Is Copenhagen walkable?

Yes. Central Copenhagen is very walkable, and many of the main attractions are relatively close together.

I still recommend using the metro when you’re staying outside the central areas, particularly if you’re staying in Ørestad.

What is the best hotel in Copenhagen?

It depends on your budget and what you’re looking for. For a luxury stay, I’d consider Hotel Sanders or Villa Copenhagen. For a central location at a lower price point, Hotel Bethel is a good option.

And for value, I personally had a great experience at AC Hotel Bella Sky.