There’s something unmistakable about Sydhavnen. If you’ve lived in Copenhagen for a while, you already know. It’s a neighbourhood in transformation, but also a place with deep roots, strong character and soul. 

Once defined by shipyards, industry, and working-class housing, Sydhavnen was all about hard work and simple living. Today, modern buildings rise along the waterfront, and new homes are shaping vibrant communities like Sluseholmen and Teglholmen.

But the old Sydhavnen isn’t gone – it lives on in the streets, in the architecture, and in the people who’ve called this place home for generations. It’s this blend of continuity and change that gives Sydhavnen its unique identity.

Old and new – two sides of Sydhavnen

The original Sydhavnen was made up of modest rental housing, garden plots, and a strong sense of neighbourly community. Around Mozarts Plads and Karens Minde, you can still feel that atmosphere: low-rise buildings, small independent shops, and a culture where people greet each other by name.

Families have lived here for generations. And although many newcomers have moved in, this isn’t a neighbourhood people pass through. It’s a place they stay – because it offers something real.

At the same time, new neighbourhoods have added a modern layer: Sluseholmen, Teglholmen and Enghave Brygge are now filled with striking architecture, canals, cafés, and housing that invites community and connection.

And since Aalborg University moved its Copenhagen campus to Sydhavnen in 2012, the area has also become home to over 3,500 students and 500 staff.

A new layer of everyday life

The new shops and eateries popping up in Sydhavnen reflect the same grounded and community-focused spirit that’s defined the area for decades.

Some places worth visiting:

• Anløbet Vinbar – A historic building by the water, now a cosy spot for wine with a view.
• Wild Horses Café – A calm café tucked into the busy Borgbjergsvej junction, with great coffee and baked goods.
• Bjørn & Delfino – Modern social dining with comfort food and organic ingredients.

Here, today’s lifestyle unfolds in yesterday’s buildings and that creates a vibe you won’t find anywhere else.

Open-air moments in Sydhavnen

Sydhavnen offers something many urban neighbourhoods can’t: real, accessible nature. Not just green spaces on a city map, but living, breathing landscapes.

Three must-visit places:

• Tippen (Sydhavnstippen) – A wild, grassy nature area just 20 minutes from the city centre, where you can spot alpacas, enjoy birdlife, and picnic by the water.
• Børnenes Dyremark – A small animal farm by Karens Minde Culture House, with horses, rabbits and dedicated volunteers. Perfect for an afternoon with kids.
• Sluseholmen Harbour Bath – A free harbour pool with lifeguards, swimming zones for kids and adults, and diving platforms (open in summer).

Here, nature is part of everyday life – bringing calm, rhythm and room to breathe.

A district with soul and people at the centre

Sydhavnen’s identity isn’t something sketched on a planning board. It has emerged over time in the meeting between old and new, between long-time locals and recent arrivals.

It’s a neighbourhood where you don’t have to fit in, you just have to be yourself. Community and connection aren’t buzzwords here, they’re part of the everyday. This is a place where history and future grow side by side.

Living in Mylo 

Mylo puts you at the heart of the modern Sydhavnen – rooted in the district’s past but built for today. You’ll live close to cafés, green spaces, and neighbours, in modern, functional homes designed for connection and calm.

Want to stay up to date on life at Mylo, new homes, events, and stories from the Sydhavnen community?

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