Strange Things to Do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is considered one of the happiest cities in the world, home to fairy tales, educational centers, shipping hubs and numerous breweries. The city is a cultural gem of Europe, with excellent food, bright buildings, gorgeous canals, the famed Tivoli gardens and endless biking paths. There are many strange things to do in Copenhagen and the surrounding countryside.

A miniture recreation of Copenhagen's canals

Strange Things to Do in Copenhagen

The Six Hidden Giants (The Forgotten Giants)

These giants are difficult to find and reach, but serve as an excellent way to explore Copenhagen. The Six Hidden Giants are an artistic exploration treasure hunt. Six enormous wooden giants are scattered around the city, created from scrap wood in Dambo’s ongoing story “Little People and Giant Trolls.” The giants are hidden in outdoor location in the Western municipalities Rødovre, Hvidovre, Vallensbæk, Ishøj, Albertslund and Høje Taastrup.

Superkilen

This is an ultramodern diversity park which turns a large city block into various geometric shades of electric pink. There are also designs for numerous park features imported from over fifty countries. The park’s designs are based on unity concepts, hoping to bring immigrants and locals together in tolerance of one another in one of Denmark’s most ethnically-diverse districts.

Wehrmacht Graffiti

These Copenhagen historical relics include a series of dull bricks in storage facilities where Nazi guards protecting potato supplies scratched graffiti in an extended fit of boredom. The bricks hold the names of loved ones, hometown locations, little etched doodles and some rather distraught and depressing notes as WWII came to a close. The bricks don’t have protected status, so some of the etching and graffiti is modern.

Leif Sonne Bottled Beer Collection

Located in an immense building, this feature of Copenhagen is lined from floor to ceiling with over 22,000 unopened bottles of unique beer. Copenhagen’s notorious brewer culture is on full display here.

The Little Mermaid

Located off of Copenhagen’s shores, a wistful statue gazes into the sea from atop a boulder. The statue is notorious as a target during political unrest, with the head being removed, stolen and restored multiple times throughout history

Church of Our Savior

This is a tall-spired church in Copenhagen with a corkscrew top. It’s a steep climb, but visitors can wander up the exterior spiral staircase for splendid views of the city. Since the spire remains popular for guests to climb, it’s recommended to book tickets in advance.

Jen Olsen’s World Clock

A gear and time masterpiece, this clock tracks global times, dates and planetary positions with precision and will continue to do so for the next 2,500 years. The clock can be found ticking away in Copenhagen City Hall. The clock was constructed by the skilled locksmith Jen Olsen who eventually learned how to make clocks as well.

Grundtvigs Church

This building is a brutal synthesis design of Gothic and Expressionist styles. Due to it’s unique features and combination of architectural styles, it’s considered one of the most distinct churches on the planet

Elephant Gate

A double-arch gateway flanking a brewhouse guarded by twin elephants decorated with pre-Nazi swastikas, originally used as a Carlsberg Brewery logo based on Sanskrit culture’s use of the symbol as “good fortune.” The gates are the most famous Carlsberg landmarks. The tower over the gate was once a water tower and later served as an herb silo. However, the old facility stands vacant, production being halted in 2008.

A series of trimmed trees along a garden path in Copenhagen

Tivoli Gardens

The Tivoli Gardens are a series of immensely popular and relaxing gardens located in central Copenhagen. The gardens are well-cared for and filled with trees, small hedges and flowers. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, musicals, ballet, and major concerts.

The Glyptotek

Also known as the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, the Glyptotek is a huge art museum with antique sculptures from Egypt and Greece alongside 19th-century paintings. The collection was established by Carl Jacobson, an heir to the Carlsberg Breweries.

Manon Les Suites

This is an entertaining and relaxing retreat space rooted around an eco-hotel in central Copenhagen with a tropical canopy and lounging pool area. Despite being in the center of a bustling city, this hotel does an excellent job of cultivating serenity.

Amaliehaven

While much of Copenhagen is enjoyed for it’s busy canal-and-waterfront culture, Amaliehaven is a welcome change of pace. The small shopping-and-green space is a peaceful, restorative waterfront park removed from the motion and crowds of the city.

Dyrehaven (Deer Park)

This green space is a huge nature reserve just outside of Copenhagen with 2000 free-roaming deer picking their way through green valleys. The park also includes lush forests, small lakes, and wide, open landscapes.

Freetown Christiania

A strange car-free hippie neighborhood created when free-thinkers began starting societies in abandoned military barracks with a controversial policy of self-governance. Many of the strange things to do in Copenhagen can be found in this neighborhood. This portion of town is now considered a powerful counter-culture hub and is filled with artworks, graffiti and other unique features.

Rosenborg Castle

The Rosenborg Castle is a 17th Century renaissance castle towering over scenic grounds while holding the Danish Crown Jewels. The castle was designed as an excessive pleasure palace with tapestries, elaborate rooms and mirrored bedrooms.

Christiansborg Palace

The most important governmental building in Denmark, it is home to Denmark’s old monarchy, and the modern executive, legislative and judicial powers. The Palace is situated on the small island of Slotsholmen (Castle Island) and allows for visitors to tour the historic interior and other nearby historical sites.

Strange Things to Do in Copenhagen