Copenhagen Contemporary
Immersive large-scale art in a vast former shipyard hall at Copenhagen’s gritty-chic harbour district, where installations, performances and design meet industrial heritage.
Industrial shipyard reborn as an art playground
Copenhagen Contemporary occupies the colossal former B&W welding hall on Refshaleøen, once a key site in Copenhagen’s shipbuilding industry. Today the gantries, concrete floors and soaring ceilings form a dramatic backdrop for art instead of heavy machinery. The sheer volume of the 7,000m² halls allows for large formats rarely possible elsewhere, from room-filling sculptures to multi-story projections. The setting remains proudly industrial. Raw steel beams, exposed brick and traces of the harbor’s working past contrast with crisp exhibition architecture. As you move between halls, you still sense the scale of ships once assembled here, now echoed in installations that invite you to walk into, under or through the artworks themselves.Immersive installations that surround your senses
Copenhagen Contemporary focuses on installation art, performance and monumental video works, often designed to be experienced with your whole body rather than glanced at from a distance. You may step into a glowing light environment, become enveloped in sound, or wander through sculptural landscapes that change as you move. The program blends internationally established artists with emerging voices, including strong representation from the Nordic scene. Works often explore technology, environment, identity and the way we inhabit space. Some pieces are quiet and meditative, others playful or unsettling, but many share a sense of scale that turns a gallery visit into a full-bodied encounter.A living cultural hub on Refshaleøen
More than a set of galleries, the center functions as a meeting place in Copenhagen’s evolving cultural district. Throughout the year it hosts artist talks, curated walks, intimate concerts and live performances that activate both the halls and the surrounding outdoor spaces. Families are drawn to creative workshops where children can experiment with materials and ideas inspired by current exhibitions. On the ground floor, the café offers a casual spot to linger over coffee or a meal between shows, while the design shop focuses on Scandinavian objects, books and exhibition-related items. You can also find quieter nooks to sit and absorb what you have seen, looking out toward the harbour or back into the vast halls.Harbour views and gritty waterfront atmosphere
Step outside and you are in the midst of Refshaleøen, a peninsula that has transformed from shipyard complex to one of Copenhagen’s most vibrant creative zones. Around the art center, former industrial buildings now house food markets, bakeries, experimental restaurants, studios and event spaces. Between them, pockets of wild greenery soften the concrete, and the wide harbour opens up in front of you. The area’s appeal lies in this mix of rough and refined: rusting structures beside cutting-edge cuisine, wild swimming spots near design shops, climbing walls and cultural festivals threaded through yards that once built ships. Copenhagen Contemporary sits at the heart of this landscape, making it easy to combine an art-filled afternoon with a harbour stroll, a sauna session or a relaxed meal by the water.Accessible, spacious and welcoming to all
The building is designed to be as inclusive as possible, with ramps, elevators and wide doorways throughout the main areas. Surfaces are generally flat, though distances inside can be long due to the scale of the halls. Accessible toilets and a cloakroom with lockers make it easy to travel light while you explore. Families will find baby-friendly facilities and hands-on workshop spaces, while solo visitors can move at their own pace between installations without feeling rushed. With exhibition texts available in both Danish and English, international visitors can fully engage with the artworks and themes on display, whether dropping in briefly or spending several hours immersed in Copenhagen’s largest contemporary art venue.Local tips
- Plan at least two hours inside; installations are large and often best experienced slowly, with time to sit, watch video works and revisit your favourite halls.
- Thursday evenings offer extended opening hours, making it a good slot for a quieter, more contemplative visit outside typical daytime crowds.
- Bring a layer: the industrial halls can feel cool, especially on windy or grey days when the nearby harbour air seeps through the large spaces.
- Combine your visit with Refshaleøen’s food market or nearby cafés and bars to experience the wider creative district around the art center.
- Check current exhibitions in advance if you are sensitive to bright light, loud sound or enclosed spaces, as some immersive works can be intense.
A brief summary to Copenhagen Contemporary
- Refshalevej 173A, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1432, DK
- +4529898087
- Visit website
- Wednesday 11 am-6 pm
- Thursday 11 am-9 pm
- Friday 11 am-6 pm
- Saturday 11 am-6 pm
- Sunday 11 am-6 pm
Getting There
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City bus from central Copenhagen
From the inner city, use bus line 2A toward Refshaleøen; the ride from Kongens Nytorv is typically 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Standard adult tickets for the city zones cost around 20–30 DKK when bought via travel apps or ticket machines. Buses usually run every 5–10 minutes during the day and less frequently in the evening. The final stretch involves a short, level walk on partly uneven industrial surfaces, which may be less comfortable for some mobility impairments.
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Harbour bus along the canals
The harbour bus provides a scenic option from central quays such as Nyhavn or Knippelsbro, with journeys to Refshaleøen usually taking 15–25 minutes. Tickets and prices match the regular public transport system, generally around 20–30 DKK for an adult single journey. Services run at set intervals and can be less frequent in winter or bad weather, so checking the timetable in advance is important. From the dock, expect a several-minute walk along the waterfront and through the industrial area on mostly flat ground.
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Cycling from the city centre
Copenhagen’s extensive cycle lanes make biking from central areas like Kongens Nytorv to Refshaleøen straightforward, usually taking 10–20 minutes at an easy pace. You can use city bikes or standard rentals, which typically start around 75–150 DKK for a day depending on the provider. The route is largely flat and follows harbourfront stretches and bridges, but be prepared for wind and changeable weather. Bike parking is available near the entrance in the industrial yard.
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Taxi or rideshare within Copenhagen
Taxis and app-based rides from central neighbourhoods to Refshalevej 173A generally take 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic and bridge congestion. Fares commonly range between 120 and 220 DKK for a standard car, higher at night or in very busy periods. Drop-off is possible close to the entrance area, though the immediate surroundings retain an industrial feel with some uneven surfaces. This option suits visitors who prefer a direct, door-to-door journey or are travelling in small groups.
