2. The colorful buildings along Nyhavn Canal weren’t always so camera ready
Nyhavn Canal is Copenhagen’s colorful waterfront on Copenhagen Harbour. It was created in 1673 by King Christian V as a commercial port for the capital city. For nearly 300 years, they were port houses, with sailors, merchants and alehouses.
The now iconic rainbow exteriors were part of a 1960s renovation project that transformed this once-seedy district into one of Scandinavia’s most photographed Instagram spots.
![Nyhavn Canal is Copenhagen’s colorful waterfront on Copenhagen Harbour with boats on the river. #Fun Facts about Copenhagen]()
Must-see colorful waterfront in Copenhagen.
3. Denmark, Norway and Sweden were united under a single monarch
The Kalmar Union united the Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 1397 to 1523. Queen Margaret I of Denmark orchestrated the union, crowning her great-nephew Erik of Pomerania as king of the united kingdoms in Kalmar, Sweden. Each kingdom retained its own laws and customs.
The union dissolved in 1523 when Gustav Vasa led a Swedish rebellion and formed an independent Sweden. Norway remained united with Denmark until 1814.
>> LEARN MORE: Fun Facts About Oslo, Norway
4. Copenhagen city centre has Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street
![The photo shows the shopping street filled with people and surrounded by houses.]()
A 0.68 miles-long shopping paradise in Copenhagen.
Strøget cuts through the heart of the Danish capital for 0.68 miles (1.1 kilometers) from City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) to Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square).
In 1962, the city launched a temporary experiment during Christmas to close the roads to cars. The experiment proved so popular that the Danish government made it permanent.
I walked the entire length of the Strøget 10 times while I was in Copenhagen. The street is located right downtown and famous for shopping. You can find your Celine, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hermès but you can also get your Zara, Nike and H&M fix there too.
As a traveler on a budget, I spent most of my time watching the street performers.
5. Bishop Absalon built the first castle in Copenhagen as a Viking fishing town on top of a preexisting Viking settlement
The history of the Copenhagen began when Bishop Absalon received an area from King Valdemar I in 1157, and in 1167, built his fortress. The site he chose was a Viking fishing village called “Havn” (meaning harbor) that had existed since the 11th century.
Excavations under Christiansborg revealed wooden Viking houses from the 1000s, Absalon’s original castle (1167-1369), the subsequent Copenhagen Castle (1369-1731) and multiple versions of Christiansborg Palace itself.
![Bronze little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen on a rock.]()
Little Mermaid looking sad.
6. The Little Mermaid statue has been decapitated twice
The bronze sculpture has endured vandalism multiple times—decapitated twice (1964 and 1998), losing an arm in 1984 and vandalized in other instances, highlighting both its symbolic resilience and popularity.
The Little Mermaid statue was installed in 1913. She was sculpted by Edvard Eriksen and commissioned by Carl Jacobsen of Carlsberg Breweries, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
Poor girl.
7. Bikes are Danish culture; Copenhagen has more bikes than cars
Copenhagen is a bike lover’s paradise, with nearly 675,000 bicycles compared to just 120,000 cars—a ratio of almost 6 to 1. Half of Copenhageners cycle to work or school daily.
The city developed 237.36 miles (382 kilometers) of bike lanes and is building “bicycle superhighways” (supercykelstier) with synchronized lights, service stations and air pumps to make commuting by bike even easier.
8. Walt Disney was so inspired by Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens that it became the blueprint for Disneyland!
Walt Disney visited Copenhagen in 1951. He was captivated by Tivoli Park and its magical mix of gardens, lights and family entertainment. Four years later, he launched Disneyland, his own version of a wonderful city.
Copenhagen features the two oldest amusement parks in the world:
- Bakken (1583), the world’s oldest amusement park with vintage rides in a woodland setting
- Tivoli Gardens (1843), with its extensive gardens and vintage charm
![Tivoli Park's chain carousel with people and Danish flags in the back.]()
Tivoli Park, the inspiration for Disneyland.
Pro Tip: A great summer idea is to go to these parks! Unlike in other cities, these amusement parks are very convenient. Tivoli Gardens is right downtown, and Bakken is only a 30-minute train ride away. Plus admission is not expensive. A university student like me had no problem doing both on a short trip to Copenhagen.
![The entrance sign of Christiania (written on the sign) with people, buildings and trees in the back.]()
The entrance of Freetown Christiania.
9. Copenhagen’s Freetown Christiania is a hippie enclave worth visiting
Freetown Christiania is an intentional community established in 1971 when hippie Danes overran a former military base. Today, Christiania is the fourth largest tourist attraction in Copenhagen.
Christiania operates through consensus democracy, champions sustainable living and makes its own laws. Visit for the colourful houses, creative architecture, green initiatives and thriving arts scene.
Christiania is worth a visit! The vibe is full of freedom and creativity, and I met interesting people to share meals and stories with from around the world. Every corner is covered in artwork, making it the most colorful neighborhood I’ve seen.
>> LEARN MORE: Sustainable Travel Tips
