M4 Metro Line Copenhagen Central Station to Sydhavn

Many people use the Metro on a daily basis and at M4, that was inaugurated in June 2024, the passengers get the opportunity to experience integrated contemporary art as part of the metro stations Havneholmen, Enghave Brygge, Sluseholmen, Mozarts Plads and København Syd. The artist group SUPERFLEX, the artists Pernille With Madsen, René Schmidt, Christian Schmidt-Rasmussen and Henrik Plenge Jakobsen have been chosen for the art commissions at the stations. The artworks were selected by the Danish Arts Foundation through a competition. The works are supported through donations from the Danish Arts Foundation, VILLUM FONDEN and The Obel Family Foundation. 

Each station tells a story through its artwork, reflecting themes of time, space, geology, and water. For instance:

• Havneholmen Station. The familiar elements of the Metro – information screens, clocks, benches and travel card stands, have been attached to the walls and ceiling, seeming to defy gravity. In addition. Some clocks at the station run unpredictably, the hands turning at different speeds and moving forward and back, creating a flexible sense of time. 
• Enghave Brygge Station incorporates elements inspired by the area’s maritime heritage, blending history with modern aesthetics.
• Sluseholmen Station showcases works that evoke the fluidity and movement of water, a nod to its proximity to the harbor.
• Mozarts Plads Station surprises passengers with vibrant, playful designs that celebrate the community spirit of the Sydhavn neighborhood.
• Copenhagen South Station combines minimalist elegance with thought-provoking pieces that invite contemplation.

So, whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring Copenhagen, the M4 Metro line offers more than just a ride—it offers a journey through the heart of a city that values innovation, culture, and community.

Harbor Bus Journey from Teglholmen/Sydhavn to Reffen

Copenhagen is a city best experienced from the water. With its canals, harbors, and seamless integration of modern life with maritime history, there’s no better way to explore than by hopping on the Harbor Bus. This floating public transport system offers a unique and scenic alternative to the Metro, bus or bike, and one of the most charming routes is the journey from Teglholmen in Sydhavnen to Reffen – Copenhagen’s famous street food market.

The journey begins in Teglholmen, a rapidly developing district in Sydhavnen (South Harbor). Once an industrial area, it has transformed into a lively mix of modern canal-side apartments, creative spaces, and waterfront cafés. The area is still evolving, with a blend of old maritime charm and sleek new architecture. As the harbor bus sets off, you glide past floating homes and small houseboats.

Shortly after departure, the boat passes Sluseholmen, sometimes called Copenhagen’s Little Venice. The district is built on artificial islands, with narrow canals weaving between colorful townhouses. Inspired by Dutch canal cities, it has a cozy, almost intimate atmosphere, making it one of the most picturesque stops along the way.

Further along, the boat reaches Islands Brygge, a very popular spot in summer. The Harbor Bath is an open-air swimming area, buzzing with locals taking a dip in the clean harbor waters. The area also has parks, cafés, and plenty of space for people to relax by the waterfront or maybe rent an electric Go Boat.

Langebro is one of Copenhagen’s main harbor bridges, linking Christianshavn and the city center. The current version, built in 1954, replaced older bridges dating back to the 17th century. Known for its bascule (drawbridge) design, it still opens for ships passing through.

As the harbor bus moves closer to the city center, passing the Black Diamond – a  modern extension of the Royal Danish Library. Its sleek, angular black glass façade reflects the water, creating a dramatic contrast to the historic buildings nearby. A symbol of Copenhagen’s architectural blend of old and new, this is a must-see from both land and water.

Opposite the Black Diamond, the Circle Bridge (Cirkelbroen), designed by Ólafur Elíasson and opened in 2015, is a piece of urban art. The bridge consists of five circular platforms with masts and cables inspired by sailing ships. It was built to improve pedestrian and cycling connections across the harbor. Its swing bridge design allows boats to pass, making it both practical and dynamic. Instead of a straight path, the circles encourage people to slow down and enjoy the view, blending art, function, and history.

The striking BLOX building, home to the Danish Architecture Center (DAC), opened in 2018. Designed by OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), BLOX is a bold, modern structure housing exhibitions, co-working spaces, cafés, and Denmark’s hub for urban innovation.

Knippelsbro, one of Copenhagen’s most iconic bridges, connects Christianshavn with the city center. The current version, built in 1937, replaced earlier bridges dating back to 1618. Designed by architect Kaj Gottlob, it features two distinctive green copper-clad towers, which house the bridge’s machinery and were once home to bridge keepers.
Knippelsbro can open to let ships pass through, maintaining its role in Copenhagen’s maritime life. Today, it’s a key cycling and traffic route, offering stunning views of the harbor.

Soho House Copenhagen opened 2023, is located in a former ferry terminal and customs house built in 1937, is a stylish members’ club. With a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, and event spaces, it has quickly become a hotspot for Copenhagen’s artists, designers, and entrepreneurs.
Before becoming Soho House Copenhagen, the building was once the ferry terminal for the high-speed boats between Malmö and Copenhagen. For years, these ferries provided a quick connection across the Øresund before the Øresund Bridge opened in 2000.

Inderhavnsbroen opened in 2016, connects Nyhavn with Christianshavn, making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the harbor. Nicknamed the Kissing Bridge because its two halves meet in the middle, it has faced some technical challenges but remains a key shortcut in Copenhagen’s cycling network.

Nyhavn, the iconic and colorful harbor front, lined with historic buildings and wooden ships. You get a glimpse of one of Copenhagen’s most photographed locations. The atmosphere is lively, with people enjoying drinks, food, music, and the general buzz of this historic port area.

Built in 2008, the Royal Danish Playhouse (Skuespilhuset) is a waterfront theater next to Nyhavn. With its dark oak interiors and a long wooden promenade stretching over the water, it’s a prime spot for theater lovers and sunset watchers alike.

Ofelia Plads, once a ferry terminal, has been transformed into a public space for concerts, art installations, and harbor swimming. Located next to the Playhouse, it offers a relaxed urban vibe with a spectacular view of the Opera House.

Opposite Skuespillehuset and Ofelia Plads, is Papirøen (Paper Island), once known for its street food, art spaces, is now revitalized with new architecture by COBE. The design incorporates gabled roofs and textured brick facades, echoing historic warehouses while providing modern housing and public spaces with rooftop gardens, community squares, and a focus on sustainability.

The Copenhagen Opera House (Operaen) officially opened 2005, was designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen and funded by the A.P. Møller Foundation, which donated it as a gift to the Danish people. The Opera House is one of the most modern in the world, featuring cutting-edge acoustics, a massive cantilevered roof, and an interior adorned with gold leaf and Sicilian marble. Next to the Opera you find a nice park with a café.
The Opera House also hosted the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series multiple times, where  elite divers leap from the roof, plunging 27 meters into the harbor.

Holmen – once a naval base, now home to arts institutions like the Danish Film School—offers a quiet contrast to the city’s bustling core.

The journey ends at Refshaleøen where you find Reffen,

 

Reffen – Copenhagen’s Creative Street Food and Culture Hub

Reffen officially opened in May 2018, to replace Papirøen (Paper Island), the city’s original street food market, which closed in 2017. After the success of Copenhagen Street Food on Paper Island, there was a strong demand for a new creative and food-centered destination.

Reffen has since become Copenhagen’s famous street food and cultural hub. Once a shipyard, this industrial space has been transformed into a lively area with around 50 different food vendors, bars, and creative workshops. The stalls serve everything from Danish smørrebrød to Thai street food, Italian pizza, Indian curries, and locally brewed craft beer.

Next to Reffen you find Urban Rigger and CPH Village – cool, sustainable student housing.
Urban Rigger – Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), this floating student housing project repurposes carbon-neutral shipping containers, with harbor views, rooftop terraces, and eco-friendly heating.
CPH Village – A sustainable container village designed to foster community living, with compact, affordable housing that minimizes environmental impact.

Whether you like to visit Reffen for a gourmet burger, a locally brewed beer, or just to enjoy the urban beach atmosphere, this is the perfect place to end your harbor adventure after the harbor bus trip from Teglholmen, a way to experience Copenhagen from a new perspective. The mix of modern and historic, urban and maritime, makes this journey a perfect reminder of why Copenhagen is one of the world’s most livable cities.