A District in Change – City Walk in Cph NW (Nordvest)

Nørrebro is cool and has long attracted the interest of both Danes and tourists. But what about the next-door neighbourhood Cph North West, Nordvest? Is it interesting to visit Nordvest with its slightly tarnished reputation? The short answer is: Yes!

The North West district of Copenhagen is interesting, both when looking at architecture, urban development and everyday life. And that is what we will do on this guided walk from Bispebjerg Hill to the edge of Nørrebro, a tour which has both a historic and current focus.

Before the turn of the last century, cows from Emdrup and Utterslev villages grazed in this area. But Copenhagen grew larger, and the North West emerged with a self-grown industrial district in the south and a well-planned residential neighborhood for the city’s workers in the north. The best architects of the time designed some of the best residential buildings in Denmark, bright homes with balconies for everyone and green areas instead of narrow, dark backyards.

Photos from the tour – click at the photos to view a bigger version

Later, the NW district became the place where the local authority in Copenhagen provided affordable housing for vulnerable citizens, and more than one estate in the Nordvest has been on and off the Danish so-called ghetto list. But now the multicultural neighborhood is changing again. North West is currently undergoing a large-scale area renewal, which will lift the entire neighborhood and create a safe and welcoming district.

A private city walk through the past and future of Cph NW (Nordvest)

The guided walk starts at the most impressive and iconic building in North West, Grundtvig’s Church, built of 5 million bricks, all polished by hand. Grundtvig’s Memorial Church, as the church was originally called, was 19 years in the making and is the work of father and son, Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint and Kaare Klint. And the church chairs, designed by Kaare Klint, became a classic in modern Danish furniture design.

We continue through Copenhagen’s youngest cemetery, Bispebjerg, and you will get stories about some of the famous Danes who are buried here. Hear about the veterinarian’s son, who became a Nobel Prize winner, and about the first female doctor in Denmark.

Bispebjerg Cemetery is part of the NW area renewal. And so is the area into which we are now moving. Experience the largest street art gallery in the Nordics with 2000 square meters of murals places on 16 house ends, and the library which looks like a stack of golden books.

The old industrial buildings in the neighborhood have gotten new life with cafes, creative residents and even a democracy garage. And on Dortheavej, we will see Bjarke Ingels Group’s bright, curvy and open public housing building. Because top architects have once again begun to design good homes for ordinary people.

Important to know

Meeting location: Grundtvigs Church, På Bjerget 14B, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Find location on map
End point: Corner of Dortheavej and Frederiksborgvej
Time: Flexible (ask for availability at booking@slowtourscopenhagen.dk – private tours only)
Duration: 2,5 hours
Tour length: 4 km/2.5 mile
A District in Change – City Walk in Cph NW (Nordvest) is guided in English. Find the tour in Danish here

Do you want to experience the guided tour A District in Change – City Walk in Cph NW (Nordvest)? Book your private tour here

NOTE: The itinerary of this private guided tour can be changed due to your wishes. Please contact Slow Tours Copenhagen and together we will make the itinerary that suits your group.

What’s included

Guiding and planning
My services as your personal certified tourist guide
Recommendations for more experiences.

Please notice

you will walk a lot so sturdy shoes are recommended
the city walk is not suitable for walking-impaired persons
the tour will run no matter how the weather is so dress for the weather.

Do you want to experience the guided tour A District in Change – City Walk in Cph NW (Nordvest)? Book your private tour here

Slow Tours Copenhagen has conducted guided tours in Nordvest (Cph NW) since 2021 and was an official partner of World Capital of Architecture in 2023. The Nordvest tour was part of the program for World Capital of Archtecture. I have guided both Danes and foreigners, private individuals, companies, associations etc. Should I (perhaps together with one of my skilled collaborators) also take you on a guided tour in Cph NW (Nordvest)?

You are always welcome to contact Slow Tours Copenhagen if you have questions about the possibilities for guided tours in Nordvest.