Surrounded by the city of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg is an independent municipality with an atmosphere that's distinctively different from the rest of the Danish capital. Built around the original Frederiksberg Castle, this affluent area is a hub for shopping, design, and old-world architecture. Frederiksberg is also dominated by green space, with a series of parks and gardens providing a relaxed place to spend the day.
Frederiksberg is a very fashionable part of Copenhagen, fiercely independent in style and packed with boutique cafes and shops. It's one of the most expensive places to live in Denmark, thanks to its wide avenues, villas, gardens, and historic streets. Epitomising the upscale feel is Vaernedamsvej, a narrow street of independent food stores and cutting-edge fashion. The street runs from upmarket Frederiksberg to the funky neighbouring Vesterbro district. Frederiksberg has a number of iconic attractions, although it's important to plan a visit as many of these only open at sporadic times. The baroque Frederiksberg Palace dates from 1699, and its opulent gardens can be explored any day of the week. City Hall rises 60 metres and like the interior of the palace only opens for pre-booked guided tours. Cisternerne takes visitors into the old catacombs of Frederiksberg while the Storm P. Museum and Revymuseet reveal Danish art. Frederiksberg Have is amongst the city's largest parks and features an early 19th century Greek-style temple, a Chinese tea house, and a maze.
This district is surrounded by Copenhagen city, with the downtown medieval part of Copenhagen located to the east and Norrebro to the north. Various buses run through Frederiksberg and there are three central metro stops that include Forum, Fasanvej and Frederiksberg.
King Frederik IV gave his name to Frederiksberg when he built his palace on the highest hill in 1700. The town transformed from farming community to merchant town as Copenhagen's wealthy left the cramped city centre to the wide green spaces of Frederiksberg. Many houses from this period remain, and there are no buildings higher than five storeys.