Hidden Copenhagen: the Local’s Guide- Part 2 (Sights and Art)

Ready for some more tips about Copenhagen? After covering food, this time I’m going to recommend some sights to visit, including one very awesome art venue….

Here we go!

The sights

Christiania

The Freetown of Christiania is a curious place. Hearing its story alone is enough to raise an eyebrow or let out a laugh, but it’s nothing compared to the actual place. A former military compound turned into an alternative neighborhood with Cannabis trade (yes, we’re not alone there either) and a spirit that could be described as anarchistic, collectivist, or hippie, to name a few. Personally, I fell in love the moment I step foot in the place, but some find it uncomfortable to be there. It feels like going to a different world- the walls are covered with street art and graffiti, cannabis is being sold on the street, and families and children walk around among the tourists, greeting each other.

My recommendation– grab a beer at the bar at the end of the main road, then bypass it and climb up the stone steps to get a view of the canal behind.

Tivoli

Opened in 1843, Tivoli is the second oldest operating amusement park in the world. To this day, the beautifully decorated and maintained part attracts tourists and locals of all ages. Whether you’re a fan of amusement parks or not, Tivoli is definitely worth a visit. During winter, the Christmas decorations make the place magical, and in summer you can enjoy the sunny weather (if you’re lucky) in the gardens.

Christianhavn

Something might feel familiar to you as you enter Christianhavn. The canals, the boathouses, even the houses themselves… it’s true, this area, composed of small islands, will remind you of the Netherlands. You could simply wander about aimlessly, enjoying the atmosphere. You could also head to my favorite church- Church of Our Saviour, at the heart of Christianhavn. This baroque church is famous for its helix spire, which you can climb to get a panoramic view of the city below.

Did you know? The Church of Our Saviour is mentioned in the book “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne! The main protagonist, Axel, confronts his fear of heights by climbing the stairs to the top of the tower. Cool, right?

Nyhavn

This famous district, lined with colorful houses, is one of the most famous touristic spots in Copenhagen, along with The Little Mermaid statue (which is smaller than you expect, and highly overrated, FYI). Although a very cute place, the number of tourists makes it effortful to walk around, and after taking a few pictures you will probably want to get away as fast as possible.

The art

There are a few museums and galleries in Copenhagen, but after being to (almost) all of them, my all-time favorite one is the Cisterns.

Cisterns in Søndermarken
the cisterns, which are part of Frederiksberg castle, acting as a venue for changing art exhibitions, among other things. The exhibitions are always tailored to the unique nature of the cisterns, which makes them incredibly special, and more like an art experience than art viewing. I highly recommend checking this place out!