On a warm July afternoon, half of Copenhagen seems to be swimming, sailing or sunbathing in Sydhavn. This once-industrial “south harbour” has become the city’s summer playground — a stretch of reclaimed docks now defined by the hugely popular Islands Brygge harbour bath, the Amsterdam-style canals of Sluseholmen, the bright-orange Cykelslangen cycle bridge, and a marina full of rentable electric boats. Sydhavn Copenhagen breaks into three parts: buzzing Islands Brygge, canal-lined Sluseholmen, and the rawer Sydhavn proper. Come for the water, the modern architecture and the best sunsets in town — here’s how to make the most of it.
It’s one of the youngest districts in our Copenhagen neighborhoods guide, and it makes a natural pairing with lively Vesterbro just across the water.
Sydhavn at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Sydhavn means ‘south harbour’ — Copenhagen’s southern harbour district |
| Population | ~25,000 residents (mostly in new-build) |
| Sub-areas | Islands Brygge, Sluseholmen, Sydhavn proper |
| Defining sights | Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, Cykelslangen, Sluseholmen, GoBoat |
| Best for | Summer harbour swimming, modern architecture, cycling, sunsets |
| Best metro | Islands Brygge (M1), Sluseholmen (M4) |
| Atmosphere | Modern, harbour-focused, family-friendly, growing creative scene |
| History | Industrial working harbour early 1900s; redeveloped 2003 onward |
| Best season | April–October peak; harbour bath June–September |
One thing to be honest about: this is a summer district. Come in July and it sparkles; come in a grey February and it’s a windswept collection of new apartment blocks. If the sun’s out, though, few corners of Copenhagen are more fun.
Top Things to Do in Sydhavn
1. Swim at Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
This is the one that started it all. Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, designed by BIG and JDS in 2003, was the original Copenhagen harbour pool — the spark for the whole city-swimming craze. There are three pools (a kids’ pool, a main pool and a deep one), lifeguards on duty, and clean, regularly tested harbour water. It’s free from June to September and it’s about the most popular thing to do in the city on a hot day. Which is the catch: on a July weekend it’s mobbed. Go early or on a weekday if you want space to spread your towel.
2. Rent a GoBoat
The GoBoat marina at Islands Brygge is where you become your own captain. The electric self-drive boats seat up to eight, cost around 449 DKK an hour, and need no licence or experience — you just putter off into the harbour. Pack a picnic and a few beers, cruise for one to three hours, and you’ve got the best-value fun on the water in Copenhagen. It’s the single most popular harbour experience for visitors, so book ahead in summer at goboat.dk.
3. Wander the Sluseholmen Canals
Sluseholmen is Sydhavn’s most photogenic corner: 1,300 apartments arranged around eight artificial canals, many with private moorings right outside the front door. Designed by ARKKI and finished in 2008, the whole scheme was a deliberate attempt to import Amsterdam’s canal life to Copenhagen — and it mostly works. Strolling the waterways is free, quietly lovely, and refreshingly untouristed. Plenty of the apartments turn up on Airbnb if you fancy waking up beside a canal.
4. Ride the Cykelslangen (Bicycle Snake)
If any single object captures Copenhagen’s cycling obsession, it’s the Cykelslangen — the Bicycle Snake. This elevated, bright-orange ribbon of bike path, designed by Dissing+Weitling and opened in 2014, curls over the harbour to connect Sydhavn with Vesterbro. It’s one of the most-photographed pieces of cycle infrastructure anywhere. Even if you’re not on two wheels, walk across it for the sweeping harbour views. Our bike rental Copenhagen guide sorts you out with wheels.
5. Laze in Islands Brygge Park
Right beside the harbour bath, Islands Brygge Park is the district’s green lung — broad grass lawns, a harbour promenade, public toilets and, in summer, open-air concerts. It’s free, open dawn to dusk, and it turns into picnic central the moment the sun appears. Grab a spot on the grass, and you’re perfectly placed for a swim, a beer and a bit of people-watching, all in one afternoon.
6. Catch the Sunset
Here’s a local secret: because the district faces south-west, it gets the best sunsets in Copenhagen. On a clear evening, the harbour at Islands Brygge glows, and a cold beer on the water’s edge as the sun drops is honestly hard to beat. Late summer, August into September, delivers the most dramatic skies. It’s free, it’s unhurried, and it might be the nicest hour you spend in the city.
7. Sydhavn Proper & Its Industrial Edge
South of Sluseholmen, Sydhavn proper still wears its working-harbour past. The old warehouses here are slowly filling with design studios, small breweries and creative spaces — it’s rougher and less polished than Refshaleøen, and it’s clearly a district mid-transformation. That’s precisely why it’s worth a wander: you’re seeing Copenhagen’s creative future before it’s finished. Don’t expect a scene yet, but do expect to feel like you’re ahead of the curve.
8. Eat at Halvandet
Halvandet is the district’s go-to harbour terrace — a sunny sprawl of seating at Islands Brygge that’s made for a long summer afternoon. The food is casual (pizza, brunch, light dinners, roughly 95–225 DKK a plate) and the point is really the setting: sun, water and a cold drink. It’s no secret, so book ahead for summer weekends or you’ll be circling for a table.
The Bridges That Made Sydhavn
What transformed Sydhavn from cut-off dockland into a proper part of the city is, oddly, a handful of bridges:
- Cykelslangen (2014) — the elevated cycle bridge to Vesterbro
- Bryggebroen (2006) — pedestrian and cycle bridge to Vesterbro / Kalvebod Brygge
- Lille Langebro (2019) — pedestrian and cycle bridge toward Christianshavn
- Road bridges — Langebro and Knippelsbro carry the car traffic
Add them up and the district went from remote to seamlessly stitched into central Copenhagen. Walking or cycling from here to Vesterbro or Indre By now takes just five to ten minutes.
How to Get There
Which stop you want depends on which slice of the district you’re after:
- Islands Brygge — M1 metro to Islands Brygge station, the heart of the action
- Sluseholmen — M4 metro to Sluseholmen station (opened 2024)
- Sydhavn proper — M4 to Sydhavn or Mozarts Plads
- From Vesterbro — about 10 minutes over the Cykelslangen or Bryggebroen
- From Indre By — 15–20 minutes via Langebro
- By bike — 10–15 minutes from anywhere central
- Harbour bus 991/992 — stops at Islands Brygge
See our Copenhagen transportation guide for metro tickets and passes.
A Walk-and-Cycle Route (3–4 hours)
- Start on the Vesterbro side and ride or walk over the Cykelslangen
- Take a dip at Islands Brygge Harbour Bath (June–September)
- Lunch on the terrace at Halvandet
- Follow the harbour promenade toward Sluseholmen
- Wander the Sluseholmen canals and Dutch-style architecture
- Grab a GoBoat from Islands Brygge for a harbour cruise
- Stay for sunset with a beer on the quay
- Head back over the Cykelslangen for dinner in Vesterbro
Where to Eat
The dining scene is young but growing, and firmly casual:
- Halvandet — the harbour terrace cafe; roughly 95–225 DKK
- Mikkeller Baghaven — craft brewery with casual food nearby
- Sluseholmen spots — a scattering of canal-side cafes among the apartments
- Vesterbro, 10 minutes away — Mikkeller Bar and Mother pizza for a bigger choice
In truth, the district is better for a harbour lunch than a proper dinner — cross into Vesterbro when the sun goes down and you’ll eat far better.
Practical Tips
- The harbour bath is summer only — June to September, free entry
- GoBoat books up fast — reserve a day or two ahead in summer
- Walk the Cykelslangen — even if you’re not cycling, it’s a highlight
- Best for sunsets — that south-west aspect really pays off
- Family-friendly — the park and harbour bath are great for kids
- Pack a picnic for the boat — GoBoats fit eight and it’s BYO
- Pair it with Vesterbro — 10 minutes over the bridge for a full west-side day
- Sleep on a canal — Sluseholmen Airbnbs offer something unusual
- The M4 reaches Sluseholmen — the station opened in 2024
- Toilets — at Islands Brygge Park and Halvandet
Sydhavn Copenhagen FAQs
What is Sydhavn?
Sydhavn — literally “south harbour” — is Copenhagen’s southern harbour district. It splits into three: the developed, buzzing Islands Brygge; the canal-lined Sluseholmen; and the rawer, more industrial Sydhavn proper. Expect modern architecture, harbour activities and a distinctly family-friendly feel.
Where is Islands Brygge Harbour Bath?
It’s on the eastern edge of the district, easily reached from Islands Brygge metro (M1) or by crossing the Cykelslangen from Vesterbro. Swimming is free from June to September, with three pools and lifeguards on duty.
How much does GoBoat cost?
A GoBoat at Islands Brygge costs around 449 DKK an hour for the whole boat, which seats up to eight. The boats are electric and self-drive, so no licence is needed — just bring food and drinks. Book at goboat.dk, and reserve a day or two ahead in summer.
Is Sydhavn worth visiting?
Yes, if you’re here in the warmer months and love harbour swimming, modern architecture or a good sunset. It’s less of a must-see than Indre By for a first, short trip, and it’s really at its best on a sunny day — in winter there’s much less to draw you out.
Should I stay in Sydhavn?
Hotels are scarce, but Sluseholmen’s canal-side Airbnbs are a genuinely appealing option, especially for families wanting a modern apartment with harbour access. Wherever you base yourself, the M1 and M4 metros make it an easy day trip from anywhere central.
How long should I spend there?
A half-day covers the highlights — a swim at the harbour bath, the Cykelslangen, the Sluseholmen canals and lunch at Halvandet. Add a GoBoat cruise and it becomes a full day. It also pairs well with Vesterbro and Frederiksberg for a broader west-Copenhagen outing.
Is Sydhavn safe?
Yes, day and night. The developed parts around Islands Brygge and Sluseholmen are busy and residential, so they feel comfortable at all hours. Sydhavn proper is quieter after dark but still perfectly safe.
How does it compare to Refshaleøen?
Both are former industrial harbours, but they’ve gone different ways. Refshaleøen, to the north, is the creative, food-driven one — Noma, Reffen and all that. Sydhavn, to the south, is more residential and family-oriented. Both reward a visit; our Refshaleøen Copenhagen guide covers the other side.
Related Reading
- Carlsberg Byen — the Elephant Gate, the brewery tastings and Copenhagen’s newest district.
- What’s actually worth your time in Copenhagen
- Indre By — Strøget, the Round Tower and most of the postcard sights in one district.
- Christianshavn and Christiania — the canals, the Vor Frelsers spire and Freetown Christiania next door.
- Nørrebro — Jægersborggade, Superkilen and the best bakeries in the city.
- Family-friendly Copenhagen
- Copenhagen itinerary
- Holmen and the old naval yards
- Østerbro, the leafy family district
Final Thoughts
Sydhavn is Copenhagen’s summer at its most relaxed — swim at Islands Brygge, drift the harbour in a GoBoat, wander the Sluseholmen canals, and end the day watching the best sunset in the city with a beer in hand. It’s not a first-timer’s must-see, and in the cold months there’s little reason to make the trip. But hit it on a warm day and it shows you exactly where the city is heading: modern, water-facing and easy to love. Give it a decade and it won’t feel emerging at all.
Last updated: July 2026.
