Rust, cranes and world-class cooking: Refshaleøen is Copenhagen at its rawest and most creative. This spit of reclaimed land east of the centre was the city’s main shipyard from 1872 to 1996, and since around 2010 its warehouses and dry docks have filled up with something new. Today Refshaleøen Copenhagen holds Noma (three Michelin stars), Alouette (one star), the Reffen street-food market, the ski-slope-topped Copenhill, harbour saunas, an art hall and a barrel-ageing brewery. Come here for the food, the harbour swims and the sheer industrial atmosphere — here’s how to spend a half- or full day on the island.
It’s one of the more unusual stops in our Copenhagen neighborhoods guide, and it pairs naturally with neighbouring Christianshavn for a full day exploring the city’s eastern edge.
Refshaleøen at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| History | Copenhagen’s main shipyard 1872–1996 (Burmeister & Wain) |
| Defining sights | Noma, Reffen, Copenhill, La Banchina, Copenhagen Contemporary, Alouette |
| Best for | Foodies, creatives, architecture lovers, summer harbour activities |
| Best transport | Harbour bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn; or 25-min walk from Christianshavn |
| Atmosphere | Industrial-creative; warehouses; harbour; raw |
| Best season | April–October peak; Reffen and outdoor activities seasonal |
| Most-acclaimed restaurant | Noma (3 Michelin stars) — around 3,200 DKK tasting |
| Visit time | Half-day for highlights; full day for thorough exploration |
One honest caveat up front: half of what makes the island special is seasonal. From April to October it hums; from November to March, with Reffen shut and the wind howling off the water, it can feel bleak. Plan accordingly.
Top Things to Do on Refshaleøen
1. Graze at Reffen Street-Food Market
Reffen is the island’s beating heart and the easiest reason to come. Around 30 vendors sling everything from Argentinian asado and Vietnamese pho to Hawaiian poke, Mexican tacos, Ethiopian stews and a solid vegan spread, with craft beer and cocktails to match. Entry is free and dishes run roughly 50–150 DKK, so you can graze your way through several stalls without much damage. It runs April through October, late afternoon into the night — come hungry and share plates. Our Copenhagen street food guide has more markets across the city.
2. Splurge at Noma (Book 4–6 Months Ahead)
Noma needs little introduction: three Michelin stars, multiple World’s Best Restaurant titles, and René Redzepi’s foraging-driven, hyper-seasonal Nordic cooking that reshaped fine dining worldwide. The tasting menu runs 12-plus courses at around 3,200 DKK, and tables vanish within half an hour of release. Reservations open quarterly, roughly four to six months out — you’ll need to be online the moment they drop. It’s a once-in-a-trip event, not a casual dinner. Our full Noma guide walks through the whole scramble.
3. Climb (or Ski) Copenhill
Only in Copenhagen would the city’s most Instagrammed piece of architecture be a rubbish incinerator. Copenhill (Amager Bakke), designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, is a working waste-to-energy plant with a skiable roof, a hiking trail to the summit, and an 85-metre climbing wall billed as the world’s tallest. Walking, running and hiking to the top are free; skiing costs roughly 245–345 DKK plus rentals. It’s a five-minute walk from the main cluster of the island, and the view over the harbour from the top is worth the climb alone.
4. Sweat and Plunge at La Banchina
La Banchina is a pocket-sized wood-fired sauna and harbour bath, and it’s the most quietly wonderful thing on the island. Admission is around 65 DKK for the sauna and bath, or roughly 145 DKK if you add a meal at the little restaurant next door. You warm up in the sauna overlooking the water, then jump straight into Copenhagen’s harbour — bracing in summer, downright wild in winter, and open all year. It gets busy at weekends, so go on a weekday morning if you can. Bring swimwear and a towel.
5. See Copenhagen Contemporary
Copenhagen Contemporary fills 7,000 square metres of a former welding hall with large-scale, immersive art — the kind of installations that need a shipyard’s worth of space. Past shows have featured Yayoi Kusama, Doug Aitken and Carsten Höller, and the raw industrial venue is half the experience. Admission is around 110 DKK, with four to six major exhibitions a year, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you cross the water.
6. Drink at Mikkeller Baghaven
Baghaven is Mikkeller’s wild-ale and barrel-ageing project, and it’s a lovely place to end an afternoon. Expect 50-plus rotating taps, barrel-aged tastings and the odd brewery tour, with outdoor seating looking straight at the old shipyard cranes. Even if you’re not a beer obsessive, it’s a fine spot for a slow drink in the sun. More options in our complete restaurant and food-hall guide.
7. Book Alouette (One Michelin Star)
If Noma is out of reach, Alouette is the smart alternative — one Michelin star, modern Nordic cooking, tucked into a former bakery loft. The tasting menu runs around 1,250 DKK for ten courses, and you’ll only need to book two to three weeks ahead rather than months. Its daytime sibling, Lille Bakery, sits downstairs and is where I’d send you for brunch or a pastry the rest of the time.
8. Walk the Industrial Heritage
Don’t overlook the simplest pleasure here: just wandering. Burmeister & Wain built ocean liners and naval vessels on this land from 1872 to 1996, and the bones remain — towering cranes, cavernous warehouses, dry docks and rusting rails threaded between the shiny new venues. A free, self-guided amble past the old shipyard structures gives you a real sense of what this place was, and what it’s becoming.
Where to Eat on Refshaleøen
Few square kilometres in Europe pack this much good eating. Here’s the full spread, from bucket-list tables to grab-and-go.
Fine Dining
- Noma — three Michelin stars; ~3,200 DKK tasting; book 4–6 months ahead
- Alouette — one Michelin star; ~1,250 DKK tasting
- 108 — natural wine and Nordic small plates
- Restaurant Barr — Nordic comfort food; ~350–595 DKK mains
Casual & Everyday
- Reffen — 30-plus street-food vendors; April–October
- Lille Bakery — Alouette’s daytime sibling; brunch and pastries
- Hostro — restaurant and cooking school
- Rigeligt — neighbourhood Italian
- Mikkeller Baghaven — brewery with casual food
For the wider fine-dining picture, our full Michelin guide maps out the city’s starred kitchens.
How to Get to Refshaleøen
The island sits just east of the centre, and getting there is half the fun. Your options:
- Harbour bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn — about 15 minutes and, best of all, included in a normal transit ticket
- Bus 9A from central Copenhagen
- Walk from Christianshavn — roughly 25 minutes via Christmas Møllers Plads
- Cycle — around 15 minutes from the centre on the cycle paths
- Taxi or Uber — about 10 minutes from the centre; roughly 80–150 DKK
My pick? Take the harbour bus over for the scenic arrival, then either bus back or cycle if you want the flexibility. It’s the cheapest boat ride in Copenhagen.
A Half-Day Route (4–5 hours)
- Take the harbour bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn to Refshaleøen
- Walk to Copenhill and climb or hike to the top for the view
- Drop into Copenhagen Contemporary
- Lunch at Reffen (April–October) or Lille Bakery (year-round)
- Wander the industrial heritage area — cranes, warehouses, dry docks
- La Banchina sauna and harbour plunge (allow about 1.5 hours)
- A beer at Mikkeller Baghaven in the outdoor seating
- Dinner at Alouette, or Noma if you snagged a table
- Head back via the harbour bus or the 9A
Practical Tips
- Reffen is seasonal — April to late October only
- La Banchina runs year-round — bring swimwear and a towel
- Copenhill is free to walk — only skiing and climbing cost money
- Noma sells out fast — be ready the moment quarterly bookings open
- Dress in layers — the island is exposed and windy
- Give it a full day if you want to dine as well as explore
- Pair it with Christianshavn for a full eastern-Copenhagen day
- Public toilets — at Reffen, Copenhagen Contemporary and La Banchina
- Cycling is most flexible — parking is limited out here
- Sunday brunch at Lille Bakery is popular; arrive early
Refshaleøen Copenhagen FAQs
Where is Refshaleøen?
It’s a former shipyard island just east of central Copenhagen. The easiest way over is the harbour bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn (about 15 minutes), though bus 9A, a 25-minute walk from Christianshavn, or a short cycle all work too. There’s no metro station on the island itself.
Is Refshaleøen worth visiting?
Yes — especially for foodies (Noma, Reffen, Alouette), architecture fans (Copenhill) and anyone after Copenhagen’s most creative, off-the-postcard side. Allow half a day to a full day, ideally between April and October when Reffen and the outdoor life are in full swing. In deep winter it’s much quieter.
How long should I spend there?
A half-day covers the highlights — a Reffen lunch, Copenhill and a La Banchina swim. Give it a full day if you want to add the art hall, a couple of meals and a proper wander through the industrial heritage. Bolting it onto Christianshavn makes a satisfying one- to two-day eastern loop.
When does Reffen open?
Reffen runs from around 1 April through late October, then closes for winter. Hours are typically midday to 22:00 on weekdays and midday to 23:00 at weekends, but they shift year to year — check refshaleoen.dk for the current schedule before you head out.
How do I book Noma?
Reservations open quarterly on noma.dk, usually at 10:00 Copenhagen time, and tables often go within half an hour. Aim to book the instant they release, roughly four to six months ahead. The tasting menu is around 3,200 DKK. Our guide to booking Noma covers the timing in detail.
Can I ski at Copenhill?
Yes — Copenhill has an artificial ski slope on its roof, open in the colder months with snow-making. A ski pass runs roughly 245–345 DKK plus rentals. The hiking and running trails are free year-round, and the climbing wall is free to use if you bring your own gear.
Is La Banchina open year-round?
Yes. The wood-fired sauna and harbour bath run all year, and cold-water swimming here is one of the island’s most-loved rituals. Admission is around 65 DKK; bring your own swimwear and towel. Weekends are busiest, so aim for a weekday if you want space.
Is Refshaleøen safe?
Yes, day and night. The industrial setting can feel eerily quiet after dark, but it’s well lit and steadily visited. The only real concern is the odd pickpocket in the Reffen crowds — nothing beyond normal city sense.
Related Reading
- The Vesterbro district — the Meatpacking District, Værnedamsvej and Copenhagen’s best bar strip.
- What’s actually worth your time in Copenhagen
- Nørrebro street by street — Jægersborggade, Superkilen and the best bakeries in the city.
- Copenhagen’s historic core — Strøget, the Round Tower and most of the postcard sights in one district.
- Sydhavn — harbour swimming at Islands Brygge, GoBoat rentals, the Sluseholmen canals and the best sunsets.
- Holmen Copenhagen
- How to structure your days
- Østerbro, the leafy family district
- The Carlsberg City district
Final Thoughts
Refshaleøen is where you go to see where Copenhagen is heading — old shipyard bones filled with cooking, art, cold-water swims and cold beer. String together a Reffen lunch, a climb up Copenhill, a plunge at La Banchina and dinner at Alouette or Noma and you’ve got one of the best days out the city offers. Come by harbour bus from Nyhavn, dress for the wind, and time your visit for the warmer half of the year. It’s raw, a little scruffy and completely brilliant.
Last updated: July 2026.
