Where to Stay in Islands Brygge, Copenhagen: The Best Hotels & Apartments

Iceland’s quay?

As proud locals who have called Islands Brygge home since 2022, we’re here to tell you all about where to stay in our lovely harbour-front neighbourhood in Copenhagen.

No, Islands Brygge (“Iceland’s quay”) is not in Iceland, and it’s not even clear that it ever had anything to do with the land of fire and ice…

In summer though, Islands Brygge is plenty hot with some of the best tanning and swimming spots in the city.

And when winter rolls in, feel free to join us crazy Danes as we jump into the icy water to feel invigorated before continuing on to explore the rest of Copenhagen, only a short bike ride away.

In our opinion, Islands Brygge is a perfect blend of urban charm and natural beauty (which is why we moved here).

Take a leisurely stroll along the harbour promenade, where you might catch an impromptu tango session by the water, or venture into the wild Amager Fælled nature reserve for a taste of Copenhagen’s truly green side.

Come be our neighbour – even if it’s just for a few days!

In this guide on where to stay, we present you some of the best hotels in Islands Brygge along with an apartment-style living option, so you can enjoy the area’s laid-back atmosphere, harbour views and easy access to central Copenhagen.

Our favourites: Where to stay in Islands Brygge

• Luxury: Bryggen Guldsmeden(4*) – The best hotel in Islands Brygge. Eco-certifications and a heated outdoor pool between the harbour and Amager Fælled.
• Value for money: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen(4*) – Amazing views, lots of facilities and easy transport links.
• Value for money / family-friendly: STAY Bryggen – Get more space, your own kitchen, and feel like a local. A great option for families, if you’re staying for longer or simply want to cook your own meals.

Search for the best hotels in Islands Brygge here (adlink).

Islands Brygge geography

Where and what is Islands Brygge?

Islands Brygge is an unofficial neighbourhood in north-western Amager, Copenhagen.

The Copenhagen harbour bounds the area to the west and north, the Amager Fælled nature reserve to the east and the Nokken area to the south.

Islands Brygge can be divided into Islands Brygge Nord (north), Havnestaden (the harbour city) and Islands Brygge Syd (south). Around 14,000 people live in Islands Brygge.

Map of Islands Brygge

Where to stay in Islands Brygge

As Islands Brygge is mostly a residential area, hotels are sparse in this part of Copenhagen – which is also part of the charm of choosing a hotel in Islands Brygge!

Below, we highlight some of the best places to stay in Islands Brygge, including a gem we can personally recommend, a more traditional hotel stay, and, lastly, apartment options with a kitchen and living space for the ultimate sense of home and hygge.

Let’s dive into where to stay in Islands Brygge.

The best hotels in Islands Brygge:

• Luxury: Bryggen Guldsmeden(4*) – The best hotel in Islands Brygge. Eco-certifications and a heated outdoor pool between the harbour and Amager Fælled.
• Value for money: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen(4*) – Amazing views, lots of facilities and easy transport links.
• Value for money / family-friendly: Apartment in Islands Brygge – Get more space, your own kitchen, and feel like a local. A great option for families, if you’re staying for longer or simply want to cook your own meals.

Search for the best hotels in Islands Brygge here (adlink).

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Luxury: Bryggen Guldsmeden

Before moving to Islands Brygge ourselves, we stayed at Bryggen Guldsmeden between Christmas and New Year’s to experience the local everyday life of Islands Brygge (often simply called “Bryggen”).

As a (small) chain of boutique hotels in Copenhagen, Guldsmeden is known for its commitments to sustainability and eco-friendliness – and we certainly enjoyed both our high-tech showerhead with NASA technology saving (literally) tons of water as well as the delicious, vegan-friendly and 100% organic breakfast.

It’s one of the best sustainable hotels in Copenhagen, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly Islands Brygge hotel.

The amenities also exceeded our expectations.

We enjoyed a dip in the heated outdoor pool (yes, even in December), relaxed in both the sauna and the steam bath and were pleasantly surprised by the well-equipped and stylish gym.

Location-wise, Bryggen Guldsmeden is placed with almost direct access to Amager Fælled; the best “park” (actually a nature reserve) in Copenhagen, perfect for slow walks or long runs.

The heart of Islands Brygge and the cosy harbour promenade is just a short stroll away, and there are a variety of supermarkets, restaurants and charming cafés nearby (don’t miss the hidden and very small Sneezing Fruits!).

Check prices and availability at Bryggen Guldsmeden here (adlink).

Value for money: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen

With 544 rooms and a towering height of 86 metres, Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel is a huge hotel.

Located very close to both the Islands Brygge metro station (18 minutes from Copenhagen Airport), the harbour and Christianshavns Vold (a perfect place for a stroll!), the hotel has a prime location for exploring our neighbourhood and beyond.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel is well-equipped for business travellers with 14 meeting rooms for conferences and events, as well as an array of convenient services.

For those looking to stay active, there are also 24/7 fitness facilities (run by Sporting Health Club), which include an outdoor training terrace.

Check prices and availability at Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel here (adlink).

Value for money / family-friendly: Apartments in Islands Brygge

If you really want to feel like a local from Islands Brygge (called a bryggebo), consider staying in your own apartment.

These furnished spaces often provide extra living space, equipped kitchens and other features that make it more like a home away from home than a hotel room.

If all you need is a place to crash after a day of exploring Copenhagen, an apartment may not be the cheapest choice.

But if you’re in Copenhagen for work, are travelling as a family or simply enjoy cooking more of your own meals, staying in an apartment in Islands Brygge might be just perfect.

Here are some of the best furnished apartments available for short-term rental in Islands Brygge:

• STAY Bryggen – Come be our neighbour in the southern Islands Brygge right next to the beachy Havnevigen Harbour Bath.
• The Pier Penthouse by Daniel&Jacob’s – 112 m² with enough sleeping arrangements for 7 people, right by the harbour with lots of natural light.
• Exclusive Waterfront Apartment – Stay on the 12th floor with fantastic views across the city and a central location by the water.

Check prices and availability for apartments in Islands Brygge here (adlink).

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How to get to Islands Brygge from Copenhagen Airport CPH

The easiest way to get to Islands Brygge from the airport is to take the metro to Islands Brygge Station on the M1 line.

As the airport is on the M2 line, you first need to go towards Vanløse and stop at Christianshavn Station. From there, change to the M1 line and “go back” towards Vestamager for one stop.

The trip from Copenhagen Airport to Christianshavn and then on to Islands Brygge Station should take around 18 minutes in total.

From the station, you can walk to Bryggen Guldsmeden (adlink) or Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel (adlink) in 6-7 minutes.

If you are staying further away, it might be better to take a bus from a station on the M1 line or from Islands Brygge Station. The directions on Google Maps are usually pretty precise or you could use the official public transport Journey Planner (Rejseplanen).

Note: There are usually fewer buses running in the evening and on the weekends.

Sustainable travel tips

To minimise your impact during your visit to Copenhagen, follow these guidelines:

• Walk whenever possible. The city is compact, calm and made for pedestrians.
• Cycle like a local. Rent a bike to explore and remember to follow local etiquette on the well-designed bike lanes.
• Use public transport. It’s clean, reliable and mostly electric; no car needed.
• Eat more plant-based meals. Copenhagen has excellent vegan and vegetarian food across all budgets.
• Drink tap water. It’s safe, clean and available everywhere, so bring a refillable bottle.
• Cut down on single-use plastics. Skip lids and straws and bring your own containers, cup and bag, when possible.
• Sort your waste. Follow the bin system for recycling and composting around the city.
• Return bottles for “pant”. Use the deposit system at supermarkets to recycle bottles and cans.
• Choose low-impact activities. Swim in the harbour, visit parks, museums or go on a solar-powered boat trip in the harbour.
• Shop second-hand or local. Find vintage treasures or buy from sustainable Danish brands.
• Use eco-friendly sunscreen. Protect the harbour and canals when swimming.
• Respect urban wildlife. Don’t feed animals, keep dogs leashed and avoid littering in green spaces.

Read our full guide for all the practical tips on travelling sustainably in Copenhagen.

What to bring to Copenhagen

• Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
• A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
• Sunscreen if you’re visiting in summer (adlink).
• Good shoes. Copenhagen is very walkable.
• Swimwear if you plan to stay at a hotel with a pool and perhaps a towel if you want to swim in the clean harbour or at a beach.

Thanks for reading about the best hotels in Islands Brygge

Thank you for reading our travel guide about where to stay in Islands Brygge.

What do you think about Copenhagen? If you’ve been to Islands Brygge, hearing your best tips and tricks would be awesome. Where did you stay?

Feel free to share your experience in the comments below or ask any questions about staying in Copenhagen

This article was originally written by Alexander & Victoria on August 3, 2024.