Antidepressant city: 7 unusual things you didn’t know about Copenhagen
Facts about Copenhagen that amaze every tourist (photo: Getty Images)
Copenhagen is not just the capital of Denmark — it’s an antidepressant city, where even the rain seems part of a perfectly designed plan. The city, repeatedly topping the rankings of the happiest places on Earth, continues to impress with its mix of royal grandeur and futuristic eco-solutions.
RBC-Ukraine shares 7 amazing facts that will make you see Copenhagen in a whole new way.
More bikes than people
If you see a traffic jam in Copenhagen, it’s most likely a jam of bicycles. The city has over 675,000 two-wheeled vehicles, far surpassing its number of residents.
Even members of parliament ride to work by bike, and 62% of locals use bicycles as their main form of transport every day, regardless of the weather.
A harbor you can swim in
In most port cities, the water is dirty — but not here. In Copenhagen, the water in the city canals is so clean that open-air pools, called Harbour Baths, have been set up right in the city center. In summer, hundreds of people dive right into the middle of the metropolis without worrying about their health.
City of fairy tales and the “grumpy” little mermaid
The city’s symbol is the Little Mermaid statue, considered Copenhagen’s calling card. And often it disappoints tourists with its small size — only 1.25 meters tall.
Few know, however, that it is one of the world’s most “attacked” monuments: activists have decapitated it, blown it up, and doused it in paint several times, yet it has always been restored to its original form.
Copenhagen (photo: Freepik)
A state within the city: Christiania
In the center of Copenhagen is the district of Christiania — a self-proclaimed “free city” for hippies and artists. It has its own rules: cars are banned, photography is restricted on certain streets, and hard drugs are prohibited. This unique social experiment has existed for over 50 years.
Founded in 1971, Christiania has its own laws, flag, and even a treasury. Special “green brigades” maintain order, and instead of a government, decisions are made in general assemblies.
A waste-to-energy plant where people ski
Copenhagen is building the future today. The Amager Bakke plant converts trash into energy, but its roof is… an artificial ski slope with trees and walking areas. It’s a perfect example of how an industrial site can become a popular public space.
Copenhagen (photo: Freepik)
The sandwich — king of the kitchen
Danes call the sandwich the “king of the kitchen,” because for them it’s not just a snack, but a full-fledged meal. You can have a sandwich for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
On one of the city streets, there’s even a restaurant dedicated entirely to sandwiches, called Ida Devidsen. Here, visitors can choose from over 250 different types of sandwiches.
For example, you might order a sandwich named “Hans Christian Andersen” or “Spring Anticipation” — the menu features many playful and imaginative names like these.
Tivoli Gardens — inspiration for Disney
The Tivoli amusement park, opened in 1843, is one of the oldest in the world. It’s said that after visiting Tivoli, Walt Disney decided to create Disneyland. The atmosphere remains magical: instead of plastic, there is wood; instead of bright neon lights, soft evening illumination glows from thousands of lanterns.
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