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Island in the Øresund
Photo: Niels Elgaard Larsen - User: (WT-shared) Elgaard at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Amager (pronounced Ama'r) is a district and island east and southeast of central Copenhagen, covering some , and mostly notable as the home of Copenhagen Airport and the charming old fishing hamlet of Dragør. It was built as a waste depot for the evolving city of Copenhagen, was and long considered the backwaters of the city. This old working class district is now undergoing rapid development, contributing to some wonderful contrasts; from the huge uncultivated wetlands of Kalvebod Fælled, the ultra modern Ørestad development area, the laid-back and impossibly picturesque Dragør fishing hamlet to the fiercely local patriotic public housing blocks on the northern part of the island.
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National Aquarium Denmark
Largest aquarium in Northern Europe with 20,000 fish and ocean animals from all over the world.
Something of a peculiarity, Kalvebod Fælled covers 2000 hectares (5000 acres) of protected wetlands, beaches, forest, and lakes in southwest Amager, rich in wild-life like birds and deer. Nowhere else in Europe will you find such a large area of wild nature this close to a major city. There are quite a few activities available, like bike rentals, horse riding and lots of stuff for the kids. In the autumn many Copenhageners come here to fly colorful kites.
Another of Copenhagen's old fortifications, which has been turned into an attractive park. Other than the outline, moat, walls and a few buildings remaining, there is not much to see here in terms of history. But there are some nice views over the sound and you can venture into the open part of the catacombs and see bullet holes from Nazi executions during WWII. A stroll here is easily combined with a visit to Amager Strandpark (see Do section), but otherwise probably not worth the effort.
Set in a beautiful old mansion-like country home from the 18th century, this museum displays a large collection of graphics from mainly Danish artists, including a large collection of the somewhat internationally known Cobra artists. There are also a temporary exhibition space.
If you are staying at a hotel or the camping grounds in Dragør, this small forest is a nice place for a stroll, particularly down Kærlighedsstien, or the path of love in English. A reference to a dancing hall once located down this path, it is long gone, but it is still a romantic place on a nice spring day. If you have kids, the open plains facing the water have grassing sheep the toddlers can chase around.
A historical museum in two old farm houses, detailing the Dutch history of immigration on the island, who were invited to the island by the king to dam and farm the island after the Dutch model. There is also exhibits on historical interiors and textiles.
A museum detailing the maritime history of the village, including a collection of paintings by famous local artist C.W. Eckersberg (1783-1853), ship models and various quirky items from around the world, brought home by the local sailors. The museum includes a small art museum, Mølsteds Museum, in the centre of the village, and a fishing vessel used under the famous evacuation of Jews under the German occupation.
A unique 30-km² artificially created island, completed in 1914 as part of the city's extensive fortifications. Until Dubai and the Japanese went crazy with this type of construction, it was the largest offshore artificial island in the world. The island was sold to a private company in 2001, but since it is a protected area the new owners must ensure public access to the island. This is handled by Spar Shipping's three to five daily departures during the summer months (120 kr — 30 minutes). The sailing is done via a charming old ferry — MS Langø — from the pier just south of the Nyhavn area, but the island's marina is also open for private yachts. The new owners maintain hostel-like accommodations on the island in the fortress' old soldiers quarters, which can be rented for 800 kr per room with eight bunk beds. There is also a restaurant with traditional Danish lunch and dinners from 80 kr and a kiosk. The owners arrange various activities like treasure hunts, tours and team building activities taking advantage of the old fortress and its history, but this requires larger groups.
Another sea fortress that guarded the approach to Copenhagen. It is owned by the Danish scouts.
If you are an ornithologist, nature lover, or just want some peace, it is harder to get further away from it all and still be this close to the city. Saltholm is a large island off the coast of Amager — and you will be hard pressed to find even a local who has visited, despite the fact that the island is closer to most of Amager than downtown Copenhagen. The island covers some 16 km², and is incredibly flat — the highest point being just one to two meters above the sea — hence the island is largely unpopulated as it is very prone to flooding during hard weather. Save the farms, that brings in over a 1000 cattle every summer to graze on the island. The main reason to visit is to enjoy the wetlands, peace, and the many birds, including some very rare species. There are also seal colonies on the southern end of the island. To get here you need to call the private fishing vessel, which doubles as a ferry out of the small marina near the Kastrup metro station, but you are more than welcome to visit, as long as you pay respect to the unique nature, and practice a healthy dose of leave-no-trace.
Amager Beach
Probably the largest beach in the near vicinity of Copenhagen, artificially constructed some years back. Includes a large sand island and an inner lagoon. There is usually a good range of activities going on, even outside the bathing season, such as windsurfing, diving, water skiing, sea kayaking and some hugely popular beach volleyball fields. If you're visiting during winter you have a chance to show your inner Viking with winter bath on the New Helgoland pier.
Copenhagen Congress Center
Copenhagen's prime exhibition and convention center, with over 123,000 m² of exhibition space. Fairly often there is an exhibition and event of some interest to the general public — check the current schedule on their website..
Copenhagen Concert Hall
Part of the public broadcasters new and problem ridden headquarters in Ørestad, this gem designed by French architect Jean Nouvel is the main reason behind the massive budget overruns of the project — with its final price tag approaching USD 300 million, it is among the most expensive concert halls ever built.
Island brygge or Bryggen
Enormously popular green area and city beach, with enclosed salt water pools, including some shallow ones for kids, and a 5-m "jumping" tower, shower, grill and toilet facilities, and it is manned with life guards. Excellent spot for hanging out with locals on sunny days, and it is quite a peculiar sensation having a swim smack in the centre of the city.
Mogens Dahl concert hall
The country's only privately owned concert hall, featuring some interesting architecture as it has been fitted into some old stables. The programme mainly features classical Chamber music, with artists from all over Europe.
Ski slope on top of the huge "Amager Bakke" incineration plant. You can ski, hike, climb, walk up the steps, etc. Or you can just take the elevater up, order a drink at the rooftop bar and enjoy the great view of copenhagen.
Danish and French food in beautiful surroundings in one of the old yellow buildings in historic Dragør. Try the Danish lunch with freshly baked bread and Christiansø herrings.
This old place is still going strong despite nearing a good 700 years of age. A bright old yellow building, with a terrace overlooking the small harbour. The food is decent and OK, mainly Danish/French dishes, but come here for the atmosphere, not the food.
This is an oddity and a Copenhagen institution. This old run down diner is located right by the runways of the airport — and has become a hotspot for geeky flight spotters and cult followers alike. The interior is full of airline memorabilia from floor to the attic. Outside there is a hill equipped with binoculars to follow the traffic of the airport, and if that isn't enough, Copenhagen's driving schools run their obligatory icy roads course on a track at the other side of the hill — meaning you can also have a good laugh over would-be drivers spinning out of control. But don't come here for the food!
Very nice French café with outdoor serving. The café is located at Amagerbrogade near Ingolfs Kaffebar. Good service and delicious café food is offered here. The café also has a very good brunch buffet in the weekends.
Fair restaurant at the Kastrup marina, with nice views over the water and decent Danish/French food, though nothing extraordinary.
While this is mainly an ice cream kiosk serving the guests at the Amager Beach, they are famous for dishing out their mushy and famous Tuttenburgers — if you are a hungry beach lion or kitten, it is highly recommended.
South east Asian restaurant with great food. Eat in or take-away.
Vinos Los Andes
Argentinian wine, Belgian beer, port and gin & tonic. And maybe some tapas.
Cafe 5-oeren was established in 1991 and has its roots in the nearby free air concert venue, 5-oeren. Local and unsophisticated bar. Both smoking and non-smoking rooms.
Established in 1917 and for long a classical Copenhagen bar, now still a relaxed but more modern bar/cafe. Seating both inside and out. Next to the Harbour Park and Bath, which is crowded on warm summer days.
Classical Copenhagen bar with dark brown furniture and no daylight. Most customers are middle aged regulars.
One of the very few places on Amager to serve late night drinkers. A simple place most notable for its late hours. Primarily frequented by younger locals.
Cafe with food and drink. Good selection of beers, including an exclusive Cuban import. Nice big, green courtyard with colored lamps. Live music now and then.
Camping grounds on the southern tip of Amager opened in 2008, within walking distance of a beach.
A large and modern, if a bit impersonal, hostel with many amenities.
Charming old beach hotel from the 20th century, renovated, in some beautiful traditional buildings.
Unique accommodation in an old fort from 1915. Renovations to turn this into an event and conference centre are ongoing, and the owners have created seven fairly nice and big double rooms in the process — each with television sets and private bathrooms.
Not quite your ordinary apartment rentals; in a 19th-century house situated in a quiet neighbourhood. Features 3, nice, colorful (as the name might give away) one bedroom apartments with full kitchen, dining table and a small living room. Also has a lovely little garden with tables and free use of old but serviceable bicycles.
Modest two-star hotel, fairly centrally located near the bridge to Christianshavn. Rooms can seem a bit antiquated, but the staff is nice and there is free internet.
Although this can seem more like a hostel at times, with shared showers and toilets and rather crammed rooms, it is a good price for Copenhagen and there is no curfew, but a doorcode for the door after 11PM. Good staff. There is one computer for internet access.
Basic two-star no-frills hotel, that gets the job done if you want to sleep near the airport for a single night at a reasonable price. Prices can get as low as 299 kr if you book more than 60 days in advance.
542 rooms, most with a view over Copenhagen. The Dining Room restaurant is on the 25th floor.
Just 2 stations from the airport, also next to a post box (just at the corner of crossing) and opposite to a supermarket. Nice price with breakfast, swimming pool and sauna. Daily free drink in reception (a small amount). Chargeable postcards available in reception.
Five-star hotel next to the airport, with all the facilities you'd expect from a Hilton hotel.
The hotel is a bit far from everything but the surrounding office buildings, but reasonably easy to get to from both the airport and central Copenhagen by means of both trains and the metro. In an 85-metre tower you will find 366 modern if simply-styled rooms with facilities and amenities corresponding in general to the upper-midscale standard, something not easily found in Copenhagen.
The Bella Sky towers soar over the Bella Centret conference venue, and so do room prices there whenever an event is held. Unlike most AC Hotels, it was not purpose-built as such, and thus features some really unusual and quirky design traits, like wildly placed trapezoid windows. The hotel's unusual architecture was driven by the desire to provide the best views, even if those are mostly of Orestad and Amager rather than Copenhagen.
Field's hotly debates with a mall in Gothenburg, Sweden, over which of them is the largest shopping mall in Scandinavia. By Danish standards it is certainly huge: 115,000 m² and with more than 140 retailers. But as it is often the case with malls, it is generic too.
A cool store inspired by Middle Eastern bazaars, carrying everything and nothing at the same time. The colorful items for sale change on a constant basis. Local artists and designers often sell their works here; home decór, toys, jewellery and clothing.
Scandinavia's largest antiquities warehouse with over 10,000 m² of displays.
Copenhagen Airport
While Copenhagen Airport is divided into three terminals, there are actually only two — domestic and international.
Øresund bridge
The Øresund link is a massive, nearly 8-km combined tunnel and bridge connection between Copenhagen and Malmö in Sweden across the Øresund strait that carries both road and railway traffic.
By taxi
It takes 7 minutes from the start of Amager to Copenhagen Central Station by Taxi. It is possible to find taxis at many locations around Amager, also at the train stations.
By train
It takes 13 minutes to get to Copenhagen Central Station from the airport, and the trains stops at Amager's two other train stations; Tårnby and Ørestad (interchange with Metro line 1) en route.
By metro
There are two metro lines covering the western and eastern part of the island.
By bus
There are quite a number of bus lines connecting Amager with the rest of Copenhagen.
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Articles and travel topics about Amager and Denmark.
Culture & historyThough not a country often associated with colonialism, Denmark (or Denmark–Norway during the union between the two countries) had an empire.
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Travel tipsDenmark, Norway and Sweden are constitutional monarchies.
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Nature & adventureCycling in Denmark is very popular for both recreational and commuting, and the Danish cycling culture is often compared to that of the Netherlands.
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Travel tipsDenmark has good roads, and driving is usually a practical way to get around the countryside. In Copenhagen (and to some extent other large cities) public transportation is usually the best way to get around; especially…
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