I had the chance to visit this incredible Nordic city for work once, and fell in love with it. For the letter “D” in my “Travel A – Z” series, let’s explore the city as I share some facts and trivia about the country of Denmark!
Denmark is one of Europe’s most beautiful countries – in an area that is probably not on everyone’s radar – this area of Europe is further north than the hot spots of the French Riviera, Spain and Italy – but it is a gorgeous part of the world!
The country is wedged in with Norway, Sweden and Finland…much smaller in size but still packed with many wonderful things!
I asked AI to give me some interesting facts about the country, and here’s what they said:
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, known for its happiness, stunning islands, Lego bricks, bicycle culture, and the oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli.
And based on my visit, it is a very happy country indeed!
Welcome To Copenhagen!
This is one of the most iconic spots in the nation’s capital, where I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at the Danish TV/Film Institute – and I had several days to explore this amazing city!
Here are some fun facts about this terrific country:
Danish Alphabet: The Danish alphabet has three letters not found in the English alphabet: Æ, Ø, and Å.
I discovered this when I sent an email from a public computer, and had these letters automatically added to my text!
I love exploring new places, so I spent my time wandering the city’s streets – I like to walk as much as possible – and it was fascinating to see so many unique aspects of the city…
The Origin Of Copenhagen!
I was unfamiliar with this part of the world, so I looked up a bunch of info on the city as well. Nearly a thousand years old, Copenhagen began as a simple fishing village and a commerce center.
Today, Copenhagen is the most visited city in Scandinavia – the waterfront area is always packed with people – and let me say, I have NEVER been to a city where the people were friendlier than they were here…
It’s All Because Of Hygge!
“Hygge” is a word that describes a central part of Danish culture, representing a feeling of coziness and well-being. The people here are content, happy and it comes across with the most positive energy and spirit!
The Danes Love Their Bikes!
Denmark has a vast network of cycle lanes, with around 7,500 miles in the country…and I saw many of them in Copenhagen!
That led me to another fascinating fact:
The 10 “Blondest” Countries!
Yes, Denmark is #6 on that list, with 68% of the country blonde! And their closest neighbors top the list!
1. Finland 🇫🇮 – 80% 2. Sweden 🇸🇪 – 78% 6. Denmark 🇩🇰 – 68%
Blondes, Blondes Everywhere!
No matter where I looked, I saw blondes…and because it’s a bike culture, I saw lots of “blondes on bikes!”
I started taking pictures when I noticed blondes on bikes everywhere – even the non-bike riding blondes were looking for them…
When I was in Japan, I found that it was the most homogenous country on earth – but when you are in a city like Copenhagen, where so many people are blonde – it’s noticeable!
As I continued to wander through the city, I noticed there were blondes, blondes and more blondes everywhere I looked!
The city is easy to maneuver, and when I was there everyone was enjoying a gorgeous afternoon – and many heading to the city’s most popular attraction:
Tivoli Gardens!
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens is the world’s oldest amusement park, and it inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland! It is filled with rides, games, food and drink – a fun way to spend a few hours in the city.
I was in Copenhagen in the summer, when the weather was warm – and as a result, people were hanging out and enjoying the city – and everyone was friendly, open and generous…
Paying Tribute To “The Little Mermaid!”
And Copenhagen is home to the world’s “original” Little Mermaid!
The Little Mermaid statue is Copenhagen’s most famous landmark. In 1837, Danish author Hans Christian Andersen published a fairy tale about a little mermaid. Yes, Hans Christian Anderson was Danish, and they celebrate the Author everywhere!
Here’s another fascinating fact about Copenhagen: there is an area of the city that is the world’s largest hippie community – which happens to be located within Copenhagen’s city limits!
Behold The Hippie Community of “Christiania”!
This is an overview picture of a section of Copenhagen that is home to the world’s largest hippie community – which began as a protest!
Christiania is a partially self-governing community with approximately 850 inhabitants, located on an 85-acre area near Copenhagen.
“Christiania” is one of the most successful communal experiments that emerged from 70’s hippie culture. It is a “city within a city”, located in the heart of Copenhagen, but existing in its own unique way…
In the early 70’s, a group of hippies took over what was, up to then a military base – it began as a protest, and over the years, it has grown into a strong self-sustained, self-governed and well organized community.
Here is how an official tourist website describes it: “After four decades, its existence is the result of Danish concepts of equality and freedom on the one hand and a sense of responsibility and determination of the Christianites on the other.”
“Christiania” operates as its own government. Crucial decisions for the community need to be discussed and approved by a committee formed of chosen inhabitants from each of the 14 parts of Christiania.
There have been skirmishes with the government, and threats of closure, but Christiania lives on. I went inside to explore this amazing hippie community, which is open to everyone…
An Open Drug Trade!
One of the most controversial aspects of Christiania is that is has an open drug trade. I didn’t feel comfortable taking pictures inside the community, as there were open drug flea markets…but here are some pictures of Christiania that I found online…
These stands sell a variety of items, including drugs like pot and hash…it’s an open air drug market, and while the government has threatened to shut these down, they still exist…
It was a strange feeling wandering through the “market”, but the community is so much more – this is a unique “City within a city”, with all buildings hand made or renovated military buildings, and the community is full of unique art as well…
It is certainly a “must see” when you are in Copenhagen…a testament to a truly unique government that allows this.
After walking the city, I was hungry, so it was time to enjoy some of Denmark’s local specialties – so I found a place to sit along one of Copenhagen’s canals, and I had Tuborg beer and some pickled herring…
Later, I found this kiosk and I got myself a Danish hot dog – a long sausage as well as a bacon-wrapped hot dog, as well as ketchup and mustard:
Copenhagen’s Go Go Bars!
Another thing I noticed were several “go go” bars along the waterfront…
One of them had a very American influence. As you can see, a little bit of Beverly Hills showed up…
It was just another unique aspect of a fascinating city – I loved visiting Copenhagen, loved the people and the food, and look forward to going back!
As you can see, much of the city lies on the river, because here’s one more fact about Denmark:
No Mountains!
That’s right, Denmark is known for its flat landscape, with no mountains! So what did they do, they built one!
Yes, they built an incredible “corkscrew treetop” observatory! Click here to visit!
One more thing that Denmark deserves some credit for:
“Nordic Noir!”
“Nordic Noir” refers to a type of Scandinavian crime fiction and television drama that typically features dark storylines and bleak urban settings. Here’s a great example:
Writer Jo Nesbo’s terrific Harry Hole detective series is based in Oslo, Norway – but Denmark has the terrific Author Jussie Adler-Olsen, whose “Department Q” thrillers are equally great! Read about them here:
This is the fourth letter in my “Travel A – Z” series, after I recently took us alone a trip to the Great Wall:
I haven’t been to China yet, but this series is helping to motivate me to get to it! See some of what makes this country so unique by clicking on my story here:
Before that, I shared a magical time I had on an island off of the US coast:
Bermuda is such a special place, with pink sand beaches and my favorite boozy Bermuda Conch Chowder! See a recipe for the chowder and a tour of the beaches by clicking on my story here:
I started the series in Australia, where I travelled for work and got to see some incredible things like this, when I filmed my Host Sasha Grey learning to surf on the waves at iconic Bondi Beach:
You can see more of my adventures down under by clicking on my story here:
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Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, nature, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
How could you not love Danish pickled herring!
One more fact: the Danes saved their entire Jewish population during WW II by organizing boat rides to transport them to neutral Sweden.
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Thank you for sharing that important fact about Denmark’s role in the war….bravo to them. As for pickled herring, I find that many seafood preparations are a bit polarizing…since I grew up in Seattle I had it all, but for some, a piece of salmon or a shrimp cocktail was as much as they got in their area!
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I would love to visit Denmark. Thanks, John!
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I have never been to Denmark, but it’s a place I would like to explore on a bike! It was fascinating reading through this, and makes me want to make a point of going as I think it would be a great place!
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It is a wonderful, happy country…remember that they get 6 hours of daylight from late fall to late springs, so plan accordingly! Thanks for the comment!
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I am planing to go back to Danmark this year. I have not been in a couple of years. I do like going there. Have not noticed the blonds
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I want to go again as well as Sweden, Finland and Norway as well..my wife and I want to plan a trip to see the northern lights…which sadly aren’t on a schedule but I guess that’s part of the adventure!
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I have enjoyed my trips to Sweden and Finland as well. And most of the ones around Norway
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Denmark is by far my favourite country in Europe and Copenhagen my favourite city. Have been a dozen times at least and could well live there instead of my birth country of Estonia. My children took one look at 6 and 8 and ‘insisted’ on having at least a few days there every time they managed to inveigle to come with us on our European business trips. If I may smilingly comment – you have touched on very few of the attractions there – for instance I have never been to Christiania – I don’t think many people would bother 🙂 ! But the restaurants, art galleries, opera, concerts, fabulous shopping and elegant people . . . love it!!!
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it looks like a vibrant and fascinating city and i’d love to visit. blondes on bikes sounds like a great name for an album or a band! how fun that they have go go bars!
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Hi John, I would like love to visit Denmark. A fascinating and historical country
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I want to take Alex there as well!
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Great photos…looks like a great place to go exploring…..chuq
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Thanks for the comment…appreciate it!
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It always a pleasure….wish I had traveled more as a younger man. chuq
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I would love to visit Denmark. It looks so nice.
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It really is….of course they get very short days for 7 months of the year but I was there when it stayed very bright very late and it was wonderful!
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Copenhagen is only 875 miles from Beetley, with the North Sea in the way of course. But so far, I have never been to Denmark. With a flight time of under two hours, it’s a definite possibility for us now we no longer have Ollie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, in the summer the happiest place…nicest people and so chill! It’s like me here in New York…everything is so close, I just have to get there!
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