10 fun facts about Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia, it dates back all the way to the 10th century. It is no wonder that over the centuries, the city and its inhabitants have gained some very characteristic quirks. Many are endearing and make Copenhagen into a great place to visit with a city trip. And, of course, there are a bunch of things you’d enjoy doing. 

Here are some of our favourite fun facts about Copenhagen.

1. Copenhagen is a happy and safe city

For years now, Copenhagen has been at or near the top of happiness reports, such as the Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report, while all of Denmark has consistently ranked in the top 3 of the UN’s World Happiness Report. Not only is Copenhagen one of the happiest places on Earth, it is also one of the safest cities in the world. The Danish capital has been in the top 10 of the last three Economist Intelligence Unit Safe Cities Indexes, taking the top spot in 2021.

2. Copenhagen is home to the two oldest amusement parks in the world

Tivoli is the best known amusement park in the city, it sits right in the heart of the city, next to its central train station. But it is not the oldest amusement park in the city, it is the second oldest. The oldest amusement park in the world is Bakken, which was founded in 1583, and it sits just 10 minutes north of the city.

3. The iconic Little Mermaid Statue really is little

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen is possibly the most iconic sight in the city. But if you don’t know where to find it, you might miss it as the statue is not very big. The statue is only 1.25 meters tall (4.1 feet), so it is easily overlooked if it wasn’t for the many visitors taking statues from the Langelinie shoreline that is.

4. Everyone bikes in Copenhagen

Cycling in incredibly popular in Copenhagen, there are over 5 times more bikes in the city than there are cars according to the Danish Cyclist Federation. 62% of the locals commute to work, school or university by bike. So if you want to see the city like a local, you should try one of the many bike tours available in the city.

5. Nyhavn’s history is as colourful as its buildings

Today, Nyhavn is a favourite with many tourists as the bustling city harbour, lined with colourful houses, bars, cafes and restaurants but that wasn’t always the case. The harbour was dug by Danish soldiers and Swedish prisoners of war between 1670 and 1673. It was always a lively commercial area, only in its early days it was a hub for sailors and featured plenty of brothels.

6. A neighbourhood with its own laws and regulations

Freetown Christiania, also known as Staden (The Town), is a place unlike any other in much of the western world. In 1971 a group of squatters occupied a former military base to create a self-governing, self-sustaining community with emphasis on social freedom and environmental responsibility. Up to 2013 it had its own set of rules and governance, since then Christiania residents have officially acknowledged Danish sovereignty over the area, though it remains a separate community with its own rules.

7. Copenhagen fully surrounds the town of Frederiksberg

Though Frederiksberg is a part of the Capital Region of Denmark, it is not a part of Copenhagen. Frederiksberg is its own municipality with its own local government. Over time, the city of Copenhagen grew to completely surround the town of Frederiksberg.

Frederiksberg is a very green, residential place, as it grew around Frederiksberg Palace with its extensive gardens. The town features attractions such as the Copenhagen Zoo and the Home of Carlsberg. Visiting Frederiksberg when you have the time is certainly worth your while.

8. Copenhagen has the longest pedestrian shopping street in the world

Want to have a great time shopping, without cars zipping by you on the street? Come to Strøget in Copenhagen, this is the longest pedestrian-only shopping street in the world! The street is a little over 1 km long (0.7 miles) and features a variety of shops, from high-end brands to local stores, so there is something for everyone here.

9. Copenhagen has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other Nordic city

Out of all cities in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) Copenhagen has the most Michelin-starred restaurants. At the time of writing there are 14 restaurants in Copenhagen with this honour, though the most famous (Noma) is set to close at the end of 2024. Combined with Copenhagen’s lively street food scene, you can be assured that no matter what your budget is, you’ll find something great to eat in this city.

10. Kronborg Castle inspired Shakespeare’s Elsinore castle

Kronborg Castle, which sits just north of Copenhagen, was a popular place to visit long before Shakespeare let it inspire Hamlet’s castle. At the time, King Frederick II was a keen patron of theatre and players from all over the world performed at the castle when he held court there. Hamlet was first performed at the castle 200 years after Shakespeare died, but now there is a Shakespeare Festival at the castle every summer!