Tommy studied in the Architecture & Design Program at DIS Copenhagen. Read about Tommy’s surrounding neighborhood and some of his favorite places to explore:
Budget Friendly Tips to Explore Like a Local
Østerbro is Copenhagen’s quiet, posh district situated just north of the inner city. It’s a bit more residential than some of the other neighborhoods surrounding Copenhagen, but that adds to its cozy charm. Dotted with cafés, shops, and parks, this neighborhood has many hidden treasures to explore.
What to see, do, and eat in Østerbro:
I live in a collective apartment with other Danish students here, and I’ve recounted a day-in-the-life experience in this corner of the city. Follow along with the photos below!
My bedroom sits on the fourth floor of our apartment building and overlooks the courtyard to the south, meaning it gets plenty of direct daylight. I have decorated with the essentials including greenery and the Danish flag. When it’s nice enough outside, I love to open my windows and let the fresh air flood the room. It has become one of my favorite places to spend my time.
Biking is simply a way of life. Seen here is my bike parked to the right of our courtyard entry door. My building shares a central courtyard with several other neighboring buildings where we store our bikes, maintain a community garden, and have occasional social events.
The facade of my building is nothing extraordinary, but the brick and simple window trimmings are some of the features I love about the quaint streets of Østerbro.
Brunch at Kaffestuen: the best way to start a productive day is to fuel up with a Scandinavian breakfast complete with bread, egg, parfait, and more bread. The hygge atmosphere adds to the experience.
After spending some time studying, there’s always room for adventure. Pictured here is some of the newest real estate in Copenhagen called Nordhavn. It’s transforming from an old industrial hub into a modern commercial and residential district.
One of my favorite places to visit when I explore this area is the rooftop playground and exercise park atop this bright red parking garage! It’s a great way to put space to use that would otherwise go unused by the community.
New development means exciting forms and new Nordic architectural language. The silver building with protruding balconies is an apartment complex created from an old silo, and features a rooftop bar and restaurant.
By biking just a short distance down the street, we arrive at Kastellet and are taken back to 17th-century Copenhagen. Kastellet is one of the best preserved star-shaped military fortresses left still standing in Europe. Walking past the bright red barracks, iconic windmill, and iron park benches transport you back in time.
Østerbro has its own public transportation hub called Østerport that sees thousands of commuters and travelers every day. Only one train stop away from the inner city!
Oh, and did I mention the United States Embassy in Denmark is located here? It’s like a little slice of home every time I find myself walking or cycling past this wall.
And just when we thought Copenhagen couldn’t get any more colorful, this stretch of houses nicknamed Kartoffelrækkerne, or the potato rows in English, proves us wrong. These rows are located along the border of Østerbro and Indre By (inner city/city center), and were originally built and used for working class potato farmers. Today, they’re some of the most desired and expensive homes in the city for their vintage, 19th-century appeal.
Tommy is a DIS Copenhagen alum who studied in the Architecture & Design program. He enjoys exploring architectural and historic gems with his bike and soaking in everything Østerbro has to offer.