Vice & Vesterbro 3-Hour Walking Tour

Explore the district of Vesterbro, once the roughest neighborhood in Copenhagen, on this 3-hour tour. Once the land of drugs, porn, and prostitution, today it’s one of the city’s trendiest districts and also one of the best places to find a good beer.

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Highlights

Learn the seedy history of Vesterbro and wander streets once frequented by shady locals and travelers
Experience where locals live and love to hang out
Experience how gentrification is transforming a shady neighbourhood into a hip urban area

Description

Your tour starts at the city’s central station before venturing into what used to be the roughest neighborhood in town. This was the world’s most famous red light district in the 1960s when Denmark was the first country to legalize porn, attracting curious visitors from around the globe. A few of those original shops still exist today, so no surprise that Vesterbro not only was, but still is, the center of street prostitution in Denmark. In the 1970s and ‘80s, drug addicts, street prostitutes, tattoo shops and shady dive bars dominated the neighborhood. But wandering the streets today, you’ll see first-hand how gentrification can change a place. You start the tour with a visit to one of the few bars still standing that has not been completely overrun by newcomers to the area. From there, you make your way up Istedgade and hear stories of the Vesterbro of yesteryear. Wander the backstreets before reaching Kødbyen, Copenhagen’s old meatpacking district. Today there are still butchers and other shops that cater to the city’s restaurants, but they live next to stylish restaurants, bars and galleries. Listen to local stories about the area, admire the great functionalistic architecture and hear tales of the people who have worked there. End the tour at one of the newest additions to the Copenhagen bar scene — a Danish-Texan brew pub and restaurant that’s making a name for itself around the world. Stay as long as you like, or, if you feel like exploring further, your guide will be happy to share dinner recommendations; there are a number of excellent places just around the corner.

Includes

Local English-speaking guide
1 beer and beer samples
Recommendations for further exploring the city
Additional food and drinks
Souvenirs and items of a personal nature
Post-tour dinner
Tips

Important Information

Please wear suitable footwear for walking, and bring an umbrella or rain jacket in case of rain
Passengers under the age of 18 are not permitted on this tour