Background

North Atlantic House (Nordatlantens Brygge)

Historic waterfront warehouse where Copenhagen meets the cultures, art and flavours of Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

4.3

North Atlantic House is a striking cultural centre housed in an 18th‑century warehouse on Copenhagen’s Christianshavn waterfront. Once a bustling hub for trade with Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, it now showcases art, design and performance from across the North Atlantic. Inside, exposed beams, timber floors and whitewashed brick frame rotating exhibitions, concerts, talks and films, while an on‑site restaurant brings regional flavours to the table. It is an atmospheric place to explore Arctic‑infused culture right by the harbour.

A brief summary to North Atlantic House

  • Strandgade 91, Copenhagen, København K, 1401, DK
  • +4532833700
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 2 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 12 pm-5 pm
  • Sunday 12 pm-5 pm

Local tips

  • Plan at least an hour to explore the exhibitions slowly; shows change regularly, so check what is on before you go.
  • Combine your visit with a meal or coffee at the on-site restaurant to sample North Atlantic-inspired dishes by the harbour.
  • Bring a light layer: old brick interiors and the nearby harbour breeze can feel cool even on sunny days.
  • Look for information panels about the former Greenlandic Trading Square to better understand the building’s maritime past.
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Getting There

  • Metro

    From central Copenhagen, take the M1 or M2 metro line to Christianshavn Station. The ride from Nørreport or Kongens Nytorv takes about 3–5 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day. From Christianshavn it is an easy 10–15 minute walk on level pavements to the waterfront district where North Atlantic House is located. A standard single metro ticket within the city zone typically costs around 20–30 DKK, and lifts and escalators make this option suitable for most visitors, including those with strollers or luggage.

  • Bus

    Several city bus routes run through Christianshavn and along the inner harbour, offering a convenient option in poor weather. From the central area near City Hall, travel time is usually 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and the specific line. Buses use the same ticketing system as the metro, with single rides generally in the 20–30 DKK range and contactless payment available. Stops are within a short, flat walk of the harbourfront, but services can be less frequent in the late evening and on some holidays.

  • Bicycle

    Cycling is one of the most pleasant ways to reach Christianshavn. From major central districts such as Indre By or Vesterbro, expect 10–20 minutes by bike along dedicated cycle lanes that cross the harbour on bicycle-friendly bridges. You can use a city bike scheme or rent from a local shop, typically costing from about 100–150 DKK for a day rental. The terrain is flat and well signposted, but be prepared for strong harbour winds and follow local cycling etiquette, especially at busy junctions.

  • Harbour ferry

    During operating hours, the public harbour ferries link several quays along Copenhagen’s inner waterfront, including stops near Christianshavn and the opera house area. Journeys from central piers usually take 10–25 minutes and offer scenic views of warehouses, modern architecture and moored boats. Ferries are integrated into the city transport system, with fares comparable to bus and metro tickets in the 20–30 DKK range. Services can be less frequent outside peak times and may be affected by severe weather or ice conditions.

North Atlantic House location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about North Atlantic House

Harbour Warehouse Turned Cultural Crossroads

North Atlantic House occupies a long, ochre‑toned warehouse from 1767, standing right on the quay in Christianshavn. For two centuries this building formed part of the Greenlandic Trading Square, where dried fish, whale oil, furs and other cargo from Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and northern Norway were stored before being shipped to European markets. Today, that maritime history still clings to its thick brick walls, weathered timber and heavy beams. Stepping inside, you move from Copenhagen’s historic harbour into a hub dedicated to contemporary culture from the North Atlantic. The building houses two large gallery spaces, offices and embassies, yet much of its original industrial character has been carefully preserved. Sunlight filters through tall warehouse windows, highlighting the grooves in old floorboards and the iron hardware bolted into columns and ceilings.

Art, Ideas and Voices from the North

The centre’s core mission is to present art and culture from Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, often in collaboration with artists, writers and musicians from these regions. Exhibitions change regularly, ranging from photography and painting to sculpture, textile work and multimedia installations. Themes often touch on landscape, climate, identity and indigenous perspectives, linking remote islands and Arctic coastlines to the wider Nordic world. Beyond the galleries, a year‑round programme of events brings the building to life. You may encounter a chamber concert inspired by northern folk melodies, a film screening about life in a Greenlandic town, or a panel discussion on Arctic climate change. The mix of performance, talks and workshops turns the house into a living forum rather than a static museum, with spaces reconfigured for everything from intimate readings to larger public debates.

Architecture, Atmosphere and Waterfront Views

One of the pleasures of visiting North Atlantic House is simply wandering through its interiors. Long corridors open onto lofty halls with exposed rafters, while smaller rooms feel almost ship‑like with their low ceilings and heavy timber. The patina of the brick and wood contrasts with clean, contemporary exhibition design, creating a dialogue between old mercantile Copenhagen and the cultures it once traded with. Outside, the cobbled quay and the lapping water of the harbour set a calm tone. From certain windows and terraces, you can look across to the modern Royal Opera House and towards the spires of the inner city. On bright days the light dancing off the canal amplifies the sense of being at a threshold between city and sea, Denmark and the wider North Atlantic.

Embassies, Collaboration and Everyday Life

The building is more than a gallery complex: it also hosts the Icelandic embassy and the permanent representations of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This diplomatic presence underscores the house’s role as a meeting point where cultural exchange intersects with politics, research and business. Offices, meeting rooms and event spaces support conferences and professional gatherings focused on Arctic issues, maritime history and regional cooperation. This blend of functions gives the place a lived‑in feel. You may pass embassy staff on the stairs or glimpse preparations for a conference while heading to an exhibition. The result is a sense that North Atlantic culture is not something to be kept behind glass, but a contemporary, evolving set of relationships actively negotiated within these walls.

Tasting and Sensing the North Atlantic

Many visits naturally end or begin in the on‑site restaurant and café, which leans into flavours from the North Atlantic world. Menus often highlight ingredients such as North Atlantic fish, shellfish, lamb or berries, interpreted through modern Nordic cooking. A meal here, especially at a window table facing the water, can round off an exhibition visit with another layer of sensory connection to the regions represented. Between the changing shows, event calendar and relaxed harbourfront setting, North Atlantic House rewards both quick stops and slower explorations. Whether you are drawn by art, architecture, history or food, it offers a distinctive window onto Denmark’s northern partners and the enduring ties that link Copenhagen’s waterfront to the Arctic seas.

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