Refshaleoen Copenhagen 2026: Noma, Reffen, Copenhill Guide

Refshaleoen Copenhagen industrial harbor warehouse — Refshaleoen is Copenhagen's former shipyard turned creative district with Noma, Reffen, climbing, and harbor baths — Refshaleoen Copenhagen — former shipyard turned creative hub. Noma 3-Mich, Reffen street food, Copenhill, harbor bath, climbing wall. April-October peak.

Refshaleoen Copenhagen is the city’s most exciting up-and-coming neighborhood — a former shipyard (1872-1996) on a small island east of central Copenhagen, transformed since 2010 into a creative-industrial district. Refshaleoen now hosts Noma (3 Michelin stars, the world’s most-acclaimed restaurant), Alouette (1-Michelin), Reffen outdoor street food market (30+ vendors), Copenhill ski-slope-on-an-incinerator, La Banchina harbor sauna, Copenhagen Contemporary art space, Mikkeller Baghaven brewery, and dozens of design studios in former industrial buildings. This complete Refshaleoen Copenhagen guide covers what to do, eat, drink, and how to spend a half- or full-day in Copenhagen’s most creative quarter.

Refshaleoen Copenhagen 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 harbor activities
Best transport	Harbor bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn; or 25-min walk from Christianshavn
Atmosphere	Industrial-creative; warehouses; harbor; raw
Best season	April-October peak; Reffen and outdoor activities seasonal
Most-acclaimed restaurant	Noma (3 Michelin stars) — 3,200 DKK tasting
Visit time	Half-day for highlights; full day for thorough exploration

Top Things to Do in Refshaleoen Copenhagen

1. Eat at Reffen Outdoor Street Food Market

Outdoor street food market stalls — Reffen at Refshaleoen has 30+ international street food vendors April-October — Reffen — Refshaleoen’s outdoor street food market. 30+ vendors; international cuisines; April-October. Copenhagen’s premier street food destination.

Reffen is Refshaleoen’s flagship attraction — Copenhagen’s premier outdoor street food market. 30+ international vendors: Argentinian asado, Vietnamese pho, Hawaiian poke, Mexican tacos, Ethiopian, vegan, craft beer, cocktails. Open April-October, late afternoon-late night. Free entry; 50-150 DKK per dish. See our Copenhagen street food guide.

2. Eat at Noma (Reservations 4-6 Months Ahead)

Fine dining Nordic plate — Noma at Refshaleoen is Copenhagen's most-acclaimed restaurant, 3-Michelin — Noma — at Refshaleoen since 2018. 3 Michelin stars; foraging-driven Nordic; 3,200 DKK tasting menu; reservations 4-6 months ahead.

Noma is the world’s most-acclaimed restaurant — 3 Michelin stars, multiple World’s Best Restaurant awards. René Redzepi-led Nordic cuisine driven by foraging and seasonal Danish ingredients. 3,200 DKK tasting menu (12+ courses). Reservations 4-6 months ahead exactly when bookings open quarterly. See our Noma booking guide.

3. Climb (or Ski) Copenhill

Indoor climbing wall — Copenhill at Refshaleoen has a 85m artificial climbing wall outdoors, the world's tallest at this design — Copenhill — Refshaleoen’s iconic waste-to-energy plant by BIG. Skiable roof slope, climbing wall, hiking trail. Architectural marvel; free to climb.

Copenhill (Amager Bakke) is BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)’s waste-to-energy plant with a skiable roof, 85m artificial climbing wall (world’s tallest), and hiking trail to the top. Free to walk/run/climb. Skiing is paid (245-345 DKK + rentals). The most photographed Copenhagen architecture project of the 2010s. 5-min walk from main Refshaleoen.

4. La Banchina Sauna and Harbor Bath

Harbor bath swimming wood pier — Refshaleoen has La Banchina sauna and harbor bath for cold-water Copenhagen swimming — La Banchina at Refshaleoen — sauna + harbor bath. Cold-water Copenhagen swimming year-round. 65 DKK admission; popular with locals.

La Banchina is Refshaleoen’s wood-fired sauna and harbor bath — Copenhagen cold-water swimming year-round. 65 DKK admission for sauna + bath; 145 DKK for sauna and a meal at adjacent restaurant. Wood-fired sauna overlooks the harbor; jump straight into Copenhagen Harbor. Year-round operation; busiest weekends.

5. Visit Copenhagen Contemporary

Warehouse art space industrial — Copenhagen Contemporary art space and Banegarden flea market occupy former Refshaleoen warehouses — Refshaleoen warehouses — Copenhagen Contemporary art (110 DKK), occasional Banegarden flea markets, and industrial-era event spaces.

Copenhagen Contemporary is Refshaleoen’s flagship art space — 7,000 m² in a former welding hall. Large-scale immersive contemporary art (Yayoi Kusama, Doug Aitken, Carsten Höller). 110 DKK admission. Atmospheric industrial venue; major exhibitions 4-6 per year.

6. Drink at Mikkeller Baghaven

Mikkeller Baghaven is Refshaleoen’s craft brewery and tasting room — Mikkeller’s wild ale and barrel-aged project. 50+ rotating taps; barrel-aged tastings; brewery tours. Outdoor seating overlooks shipyard cranes. See our Copenhagen food guide.

7. Eat at Alouette (1-Michelin)

Scandinavian fine dining bakery loft — Alouette at Refshaleoen is the 1-Michelin restaurant in a former bakery loft — Alouette — Refshaleoen 1-Michelin in former bakery loft. Modern Nordic; 1,250 DKK tasting menu. Sister to Lille Bakery downstairs.

Alouette is Refshaleoen’s 1-Michelin restaurant — modern Nordic in a former bakery loft. 1,250 DKK tasting menu (10 courses). Sister venue to Lille Bakery downstairs (open daytime). Reservations 2-3 weeks ahead.

8. Walk Refshaleoen Industrial Heritage

Old shipyard industrial buildings — Refshaleoen was Copenhagen's main shipyard from 1872 to 1996, now repurposed for creative uses — Refshaleoen shipyard history — Copenhagen’s main shipyard 1872-1996. Burmeister & Wain built ocean liners here. Industrial buildings now host creative spaces.

Refshaleoen was Copenhagen’s main shipyard 1872-1996 — Burmeister & Wain built ocean liners and naval vessels here. Industrial cranes, warehouses, dry docks remain. Free self-guided walking through the area past abandoned shipyard structures and the new creative buildings.

Refshaleoen Restaurants and Food

Converted factory creative space — Refshaleoen's industrial buildings now host design studios, breweries, restaurants, and event spaces — Refshaleoen industrial conversion — design studios, Mikkeller Baghaven brewery, restaurants, art spaces, event venues. Copenhagen’s most creative quarter.

Fine Dining

Noma — 3-Michelin; 3,200 DKK tasting; reservations 4-6 months ahead
Alouette — 1-Michelin; 1,250 DKK tasting
108 — natural wine + Nordic small plates
Restaurant Barr — Nordic comfort; 350-595 DKK mains

Casual

Reffen — 30+ street food vendors; April-October
Lille Bakery — Alouette daytime sibling; daytime brunch + bakery
Hostro — restaurant + cooking school
Rigeligt — neighborhood Italian
Mikkeller Baghaven — brewery + casual food

How to Get to Refshaleoen Copenhagen

Refshaleoen is on a small island east of Copenhagen. Multiple options:

Harbor bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn — 15 min, included in transit ticket
Bus 9A from central Copenhagen
Walk from Christianshavn — 25 min via Christmas Møllers Plads
Cycle from anywhere — 15 min from central Copenhagen via cycle paths
Taxi/Uber — 10 min from central; 80-150 DKK

Refshaleoen Copenhagen Walking Route (4-5 hours)

Take harbor bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn to Refshaleoen
Walk to Copenhill — climb or hike to top for views
Visit Copenhagen Contemporary art space
Lunch at Reffen (April-October) or Lille Bakery (year-round)
Walk industrial heritage area: cranes, warehouses, dry docks
La Banchina sauna + harbor bath (allow 1.5 hours)
Beer at Mikkeller Baghaven outdoor seating
Dinner at Alouette or Noma if booked
Return via harbor bus or 9A bus

Refshaleoen Copenhagen Practical Tips

Reffen seasonal — April 1 – late October only
La Banchina year-round — bring swimwear, towel; sauna + cold plunge
Copenhill free to walk — skiing/climbing paid
Noma 4-6 months wait — book exactly when reservations open quarterly
Bring layers — Refshaleoen is windy; harbor location
Allow full day — for thorough exploration including dining
Combine with Christianshavn — adjacent area; full Copenhagen east day
Public toilets — Reffen, Copenhagen Contemporary, La Banchina
Cycle is best — for serious flexibility; most parking limited
Sunday brunch popular — at Lille Bakery; arrive early

Refshaleoen Copenhagen FAQs

Where is Refshaleoen Copenhagen?

Refshaleoen is a small island east of central Copenhagen, accessed via harbor bus 991/992/993 from Nyhavn (15 min), bus 9A, or 25-min walk from Christianshavn. The former main shipyard now turned creative district.

Is Refshaleoen worth visiting?

Yes — Refshaleoen is essential for foodies (Noma, Reffen, Alouette), architecture enthusiasts (Copenhill), and anyone wanting the most creative Copenhagen experience. Allow half-day to full day; combine with Christianshavn for full east Copenhagen.

How long should I spend at Refshaleoen?

Half-day for highlights (Reffen lunch + Copenhill + La Banchina). Full day if including art space, multiple dining stops, and walking the industrial heritage. Combine with adjacent Christianshavn for 1-2 day east Copenhagen experience.

When does Reffen open?

Reffen opens April 1 and runs through late October each year. Closed November-March. Hours: typically 12:00-22:00 weekdays, 12:00-23:00 weekends; check refshaleoen.dk for current schedule.

How do I book Noma?

Reservations open quarterly (every 3 months) on noma.dk. Tables go in 30 minutes; book exactly when reservations open at 10:00 Copenhagen time. 3,200 DKK tasting menu; 4-6 months booking horizon. See our Noma booking guide.

Can I ski at Copenhill?

Yes — Copenhill has a skiable artificial slope on its roof, open winter (and snow-making in cold months). 245-345 DKK ski pass + rentals. Walking/hiking trails are free year-round; climbing wall is free to use.

Is La Banchina open year-round?

Yes — La Banchina sauna + harbor bath operates year-round. Cold-water Copenhagen swimming is the most popular Refshaleoen activity. 65 DKK admission; bring swimwear and towel.

Is Refshaleoen safe?

Yes — Refshaleoen is safe day and night. Industrial atmosphere can feel quiet at night but is well-lit and frequented by visitors. Pickpocketing the only minor concern at busy Reffen.

The Verdict on Refshaleoen Copenhagen

Refshaleoen Copenhagen is the city’s most exciting district to visit. Combine Reffen street food (April-October), Copenhill architecture, La Banchina sauna, Copenhagen Contemporary art, Mikkeller Baghaven beer, and dining at Noma or Alouette for the ultimate Copenhagen day. Take the harbor bus from Nyhavn for scenic arrival; cycle for flexibility. Refshaleoen genuinely shows where Copenhagen culture is heading — industrial heritage repurposed for creativity, cuisine, and community.