The history of the street dates back to about 1200 when it was part of the main route between Roskilde and the small settlement Havn, which was a hub for crossings to Amager and Scania.

The meat market later moved to Skindergade but the name stuck with to the street, although it later changed to Kjøbmagergade and then Købmagergade.

Next to the Round Tower stands a monument to the two 18th-century poets Peter Herman Wessel and Johannes Ewald.

International brands and chains with flagship stores in the street include Esprit, Abercrombie & Fitch, Vans and Diesel.

[7] The opening scene of Herman Bang's impressionist 1887 novel Stucco is set on Købmagergade just before the shops close.