#5 Denmark
If you love Disneyland because it’s the happiest place on earth, you will also love Denmark, considering it really is the (closely second to Finland) happiest place on earth. Copenhagen is full of color, life, and hygge. I’m sure you just wondered in your head, how do I even pronounce hygge, what are they even talking about? Hygge refers to cozy and comfortable surroundings that invoke an inner sense of contentment or well-being. Feeling coziness and comfort in a completely relaxed and safe space. Copenhagen and the people there constantly gave us the overwhelming feeling of hygge.
Copenhagen is becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the world and we completely understand why. Innovative, civilized and relaxed would be my short list of characteristics for the Danish people. With so much diversity and attractive spots, this Nordic capital left us wanting more. We were never wondering what to do next. Copenhagen has plenty to see and explore. The city is very pedestrian friendly and the public transit, which also includes a harbor bus, makes it so easy to explore every part of this beautiful city.
Here are some of our favorites:
Nyhavn: So much color and so much life. It is the most famous street in Copenhagen. The oldest house on the canal is number 9, which has been unaltered since it was built in 1681. Also, Famous Danish fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen lived in 3 of the Nyhavn houses – No. 20 from 1834-1838, No. 67 from 1845 – 1864, and No. 18 for his final years until he died. The Little Mermaid statue was inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale character.
Christiania Freetown: This hippie community is also very colorful and very full of life. This area doesn't allow cars and definitely doesn't allow pictures being taken, which made us want to explore more. Christiania is a former military base that sat abandoned for many years, in 1971, a group of hippies broke down the barricades and began living there. The main attraction for our visit there was Green George. Green George is a troll created by Thomas Dambo. These trolls are all over the world and are found in nature. Our first encounter with Thomas Dambo’s art was in Breckenridge, CO.
The Copenhagen Light Festival: The whole concept behind the light festival is, “When the winter darkness returns and makes the days shorter, the Copenhagen Light Festival returns.” The artists transform buildings, canals, bridges, historical sites, streets, and squares into an enchanting backdrop for people to enjoy the city after the sun goes down, which is around 5pm.
Design Museum was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! At the beginning of the exhibition walk we can read:
“We demand more than functionality from the objects we live with. We want them to hold surprises and imagery and engage in dialogue, but at the same time they should also be comprehensible and recognizable. They should offer emotional satisfaction and sensory engagement, be poetic and sophisticated and generate their own aura and atmosphere. Fundamentally, their values and qualities should build identity.”
If you enjoy design, art and history this is the place for you! It is a very comprehensive collection that describes contemporary design very well. Lots of iconic designs are presented and put in a historic perspective. It was such a pleasure to delve into such an immersive experience. The exhibits were very well-explained and selected and really kept us engaged. Have you ever been to a design museum before?
DELICIOUS Vegan Restaurants: Souls, Veggie Heroes Osterbro, Morgenstedet, and Riz Raz.
Hope Organic
This vegan cafe was delightful. The definitely fills you up and leaves you feeling super good about what you just put into your body! This was best vegan-friendly place in the city centre. Affordable, delicious food, we can't recommend enough. We were able to cozy up and experience that great hygge feeling.
Plant Power Food
W.O.W. absolutely delicious and presented in an incredible way. It was lovely and warm inside, the decor and plants are awesome, they use metal straws, and even the recycled freakin’ toilet paper in their bathroom is nice! This meal is what inspired our choice of the local recipe, Smørrebrød. The only difference was that we assembled everything on our crackers and bread instead of all the ingredients being assembled together and making an open faced sandwich.
We love to share so it was a perfect opportunity to eat savory and sweet. The best of both worlds!
We cant end this post without mentioning these must-dos as well. All of the places below provided so much history about the city. Learning about new cultures is one thing, immersing yourself in them, make them so much more great.
The Round Tower
Christiansborg Palace
The Danish Parlement
Changing the Guard Amalienborg Palace
The Black Diamond Library
Rosenborg Castle and The Kings Garden
What do you look for when trying to figure out where to travel to next? Comment below!
Until our next adventure…
Reset. Adventure on.
Local Recipe: Smørrebrød, check out it on Instagram @Adventurous.Herbivores
