15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen

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15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Gone fishing.

Copenhagen was originally a fishing village called "Havn" which means harbor, and often attacked by pirates.

Source: Photo: Instagram/visitcopenhagen
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Giant capital.

In 1416, Copenhagen was the capital of Denmark, Norway and Sweden when they were the Kalmar Union. It was like this for 150 years.

Source: Photo: Instagram/visitcopenhagen
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Go green!

Copenhagen hopes to be carbon neutral by 2025, hence making it one of the greenest cities in the world.

Source: Photo: Instagram/mortenordstrom
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
What's up, wind farm.

When you fly into the city, you'll see an offshore wind farm which currently provides 4% of Copenhagen's energy.

Source: Photo: Instagram/allieplaysmusic
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Bike away.

More than 50% of its residents commute by bicycles. There's even a cycling “super highway” between Copenhagan and a nearby suburb city: Albertslund.

Source: Photo: Instagram/visitcopenhagen
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Clean H2O.

Unlike harbors in most major cities, the water in Copenhagen's water is so clean that you can swim in it!

Source: Photo: Instagram/benjamin_sam
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Hit the books!

The University of Copenhagen had its own court system and prison since 1479. It was so functional that it was incorporated into the city's commission in the 1700's.

Source: Photo: Instagram/alex__fed
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Cheers!

The country's favorite beer Carlsberg was founded in 1847 by J. C. Jacobsen. The company's first headquarters were located in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Source: Photo: Instagram/visitcarlsberg
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Let's go shopping.

The very busy shopping street Strøget is Europe's longest pedestrian-only shopping avenue.

Source: Photo: Instagram/23windsor
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Global bridge.

The 10-mile long Øresund Bridge connects Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden and crosses the artificial island of Pebrholm.

Source: Photo: Instagram/renklicekim
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Freetown Christiania.

Within Copenhagen is Christiania: a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood of about 850 residents. Anything goes here, cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004.

Source: Photo: Instagram/davidetraveller
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Don't be hangry.

Copenhagen boasts one of the biggest culinary scenes in the world. Although its #1 restaurant Noma is currently closed, there are numerous outstanding restaurants to open your mind, pallet and foodie curiosity.

Source: Photo: Instagram/nomacph
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15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Hello, Tivoli.

Tivoli Gardens is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world and was the source of inspiration for Walt Disney prior to creating Disneyland.

Source: Photo: Instagram/tivolicph
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15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid.

The famous bronze statue has been vandalized several times: head sewn off, stolen, decapitated. In 2004, the statue was draped in a burqa in a protest against Turkey's application to join EU. A dildo has been attached to it as well as paint poured all over the statue.

Source: Photo: Instagram/kippers7
Jetset Times
15 Incredible Facts About Copenhagen
Cemetery parks.

In Copenhagen, famous cemeteries are used as parks where people have picnics. Don't be creeped out.

Source: Photo: Instagram/sebchez

What a lovely intro to the world of Scandinavia!

For such a small city, Copenhagen has made a name for itself as one of the most beautiful urban metropolises in the world. Due to its size and approximately 3 million inhabitants (5 total in Denmark,) its people stick together. No one ever complains about higher taxes because the general feeling is: they’re getting so much more back. Imagine a city where health care is free, so is education. Women are given money as well as benefits when they have children. Even for any man and woman who has recently been unemployed.

The best quality that travelers will truly appreciate is: everyone speaks English! In addition, the city is so compact that you’ll find getting around super easy either by foot or by bicycles. Not only is the city vibrantly gorgeous, it has everything: water (that you can swim in), architecture (that’ll make you think of Skittles), and the world-renowned mouthwatering food scene (NOMA!!). That’s not to say, you can’t have a Michelin meal and still indulge in a veggie hotdog on the side of a street.

Once a Viking fishing village since the 10th century, Copenhagen has transformed into one of the most eco-friendly, technologically advanced frontrunners in the world. Just check out its wind farm offshore from the airplane’s window! These interesting facts about the capital of Denmark will trigger every traveler to book a trip pronto. What a lovely introduction to the world of Scandinavia!

What do you think of Copenhagen? Share with us in the comments.

Wendy Hung

CEO, FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As the founder of Jetset Times, Wendy is an avid traveler and fluent in five languages. When she's not traveling, Wendy calls Paris and Taipei home. Her favorite countries so far from her travels have been: Bhutan, Iran, and Russia because they were all so different! St. Bart's was pretty amazing too (wink)!

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