Is the Elephant Gate in Copenhagen worth visiting?

Yes, the Elephant Gate is one of Copenhagen's most unique architectural landmarks. It is a masterpiece of industrial design featuring four granite elephants and historic brickwork that tells the story of Denmark's brewing heritage.

Can I do a self-guided walking tour Copenhagen in the Carlsberg area?

Absolutely. The Carlsberg District is very pedestrian-friendly and well-suited for a self-guided adventure. You can explore the historic gates, worker housing, and modern towers independently at your own pace.

Where does the Carlsberg walk start?

The route typically begins in Humleby, near Ny Carlsberg Vej. It is easily accessible via the Enghave Plads Metro station or Carlsberg S-train station.

What is the best time to visit the Carlsberg District?

The best time to visit is on a weekday morning or early afternoon when the district is lively but not overly crowded. The gardens are particularly beautiful during the spring and summer months.

Are there hills on this walking route?

The route is mostly flat with some very gentle inclines. The name 'Carlsberg' means 'Carl's Hill,' but the elevation change is minimal and manageable for most walkers.

Is the Carlsberg District family-friendly?

Yes, families enjoy seeing the large granite elephants and visiting the brewery horses at the Home of Carlsberg stables. The route also includes parks and gardens where children can move more freely.

Is there a guided tour Copenhagen option for Carlsberg?

While Zigway provides a self-guided audio experience, the Home of Carlsberg visitor center occasionally offers their own internal guided experiences for the museum portions of the site.

What should I wear for this walk?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential as you will encounter some historic cobblestone streets. Weather-appropriate layers are recommended as the coastal Copenhagen wind can be chilly.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step into a corner of Copenhagen where beer history and monumental architecture collide in the Carlsberg District. This self-guided walk takes you through a neighborhood currently undergoing one of Europe’s most ambitious urban transformations, shifting from a powerhouse of industrial production to a vibrant cultural hub. As you explore this independent walking route, you will discover the legacy of the Jacobsen family, whose passion for brewing was matched only by their obsession with art and science. The district is a living museum of red-brick towers, winding streets, and hidden gardens that feel worlds away from the glass-and-steel modernism of the city center. Your neighborhood stroll begins in the charming enclave of Humleby, a series of terraced houses built for brewery workers that mimics the English style. From there, the route leads you toward the iconic Elephant Gate, perhaps the most famous piece of industrial-heritage in Denmark. You will learn about the fierce rivalry between father and son, J.C. and Carl Jacobsen, which led to the creation of two separate breweries and some of the city's most eccentric landmarks. This self-guided adventure allows you to uncover the stories behind the granite elephants and the historic brewhouses at your own pace. Beyond the beer, this walking route Copenhagen highlight includes the tranquil J.C. Jacobsen’s Garden, a private botanical oasis once reserved for the family, and the towering modern additions like Bohr’s Tower that signal the district's future. Whether you are interested in the evolution of Danish industry or simply want to find the most Instagram-worthy gates in the city, this neighborhood journey offers a deep dive into the soul of Valby. Experience the rich heritage of the 'City of Beer' without the constraints of a group, following a path that celebrates the innovation and philanthropy that built modern Copenhagen.

Highlights

The iconic Elephant Gate and its four life-sized granite elephants

Humleby’s charming 19th-century worker cottages

The historic Home of Carlsberg brewery complex

J.C. Jacobsen’s hidden Italian-style botanical garden

Modern architectural marvels like the 120-meter Bohr’s Tower

Stories of the legendary rivalry between J.C. and Carl Jacobsen

Tour Stops (5)

Humleby

Welcome to Humleby, or 'Hops Town.' As you walk through these narrow streets, you might feel like you have been transported to a London suburb. These yellow-brick terraced houses were built between 1885 and 1891 by the Workers' Building Association. At the time, the Carlsberg brewery was expanding rapidly, and the Jacobsen family wanted to provide healthy, dignified housing for their employees. This was a revolutionary concept in the 19th century, moving workers away from the cramped, unsanitary conditions of the inner city. Today, Humleby is one of Copenhagen’s most coveted residential areas, known for its strong community spirit and picturesque aesthetics. Notice the intricate brickwork and small gardens that make this enclave feel like a peaceful village within the city.

Elephant Gate and Tower

Standing before you is perhaps the most photographed landmark in the district: the Elephant Gate. Completed in 1901, this gate served as the grand entrance to the New Carlsberg brewery. The four life-sized elephants, carved from Bornholm granite, support a tower that once held water and hop silos. Carl Jacobsen, the brewery owner, chose the elephant as a symbol of strength and fidelity. Look closely at the elephants’ blankets; you will see the swastika symbol. Before it was tragically co-opted by the Nazi party, this was an ancient symbol of prosperity and good fortune, and it was the original trademark for Carlsberg beer. The motto inscribed on the gate, 'Laboremus pro Patria'—Let us work for our country—perfectly encapsulates the Jacobsen family’s philanthropic philosophy.

Home of Carlsberg

This is the historic heart of the brewing empire. The site where you stand is where J.C. Jacobsen first established his brewery in 1847, naming it after his son, Carl, and the 'bjerg' or hill on which it sits. For over 160 years, this site produced millions of liters of beer before production was moved to Jutland in 2008. Today, the complex serves as a cultural center where you can see the world’s largest collection of unopened beer bottles and meet the famous Jutland dray horses that still live in the stables here. The architecture reflects a mix of styles, from the grand Dipylon Gate to the classic red-brick brewhouses, all designed to show that an industrial site could also be a work of art.

J.C. Jacobsen's Garden

Escape the industrial scale of the brewery and enter the tranquil J.C. Jacobsen’s Garden. This was the private botanical refuge of the brewery’s founder. Jacobsen was a man of science and art, and his garden reflects that curiosity. He modeled it after the Mediterranean villas he visited during his travels in Italy. The garden contains many rare trees and plants that were unusual for the Danish climate in the 19th century. As you wander the paths, you will see the Hanging Gardens and the ruins of the old conservatory. It was here that Jacobsen would find peace away from the brewing kettles, and today it remains a hidden gem for locals seeking a quiet moment in the heart of Valby.

Bohr's Tower

As you look up at the 120-meter tall Bohr’s Tower, you are seeing the future of this district. Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr—who lived in the Carlsberg Honor Mansion nearby—this skyscraper marks the transition of the area into 'Carlsberg City.' The district is being transformed into a dense, sustainable urban neighborhood with thousands of new homes and shops. The bronze-colored facade of the tower is designed to complement the historic red bricks you’ve seen throughout your walk. Standing at the base of this modern giant, you can appreciate the scale of change: from a family-run brewery to a modern metropolis, while still keeping the spirit of innovation alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical self-guided walk through the Carlsberg District takes between 90 and 120 minutes. This 1.5-mile route allows for plenty of time to photograph the Elephant Gate and explore the botanical gardens.