10 Best Things to Do in the City of Copenhagen Christiania

Christiania is an independent city with great charm and a unique culture that you have to discover during your visit to Denmark. It is located six minutes from the center of Copenhagen and is the ideal place to explore craft exhibitions, spaces such as the Green Light District, murals, and street art characteristic of the area, without rules or limitations. Keep in mind that it was formerly an abandoned military base and many of the houses have unique architecture and their own solar panels.

The best way to get from Copenhagen to Christiania is by bus. There are many options for leaving the city, such as taking a tour to try the popular local beer, enjoying a sauna, or strolling down Pusher Street, a street that holds a very interesting secret that I will tell you about in this article.

Christiania is known for being a small town with an abundance of murals, street art, and craft exhibitions. The streets are colorful and cheerful, as evidenced by the Christiania Art Gallery located in the heart of the town, where you can take pictures and learn about the history of the artists.

Inside, you will meet Marios and Stephanie, who came from South Africa and bought the house in 2018 to exhibit their creations. You will discover a variety of items that you can buy, and there are always fun activities to share with friends or family, such as live jazz, food stalls, and outdoor barbecues on weekends.

Christiania is one of the most extreme destinations, as the city functions in a rather unique way. The Old Execution Site may seem like a strange place to visit, but it holds interesting stories about life in the area during wartime and will help you understand the city's beginnings.

Here you will find fascinating stories and sites, such as the hut of the Old Execution that took place between 1946 and 1950, better known as Københavns Gamle Henrettelsesplads or Copenhagen Old Execution Space.

This site was used during World War II and is currently located in Second Redan, near the Aircondition building. The wooden walls have fallen down over the years, but you can still see part of the concrete structure and structures used during the war.

For a cozy and different afternoon, head to Pusher Street, home to BørneTeateret, also known as Christiania's Jazzklub & Children's Theatre, an opera house that hosts performances by local jazz artists and children's theater. In recent years, they have added new activities such as comedy nights, hip hop, rock, electronic, and country.

Jazz is one of the musical genres that has represented Denmark since the 1920s. Over time, Danish jazz developed, specifically in the 1940s, and today it reigns supreme in the streets of Christiania.

During your stay in Christiania, you must experience one of the best Scandinavian traditions: enjoying a sauna. In the area, you will come across the Badehuset Bathhouse, which has been operating since 1971. It is one of the most popular attractions, so it is advisable to arrive early.

When you arrive, you will see a wall covered in graffiti, so it will be easy to find. Remember that Christiania is a very liberal city, and the best entertainment is inside, where you'll find saunas and swimming pools, mud baths, massage tables with aromatic oils, and a space for practicing yoga.

The approximate cost of admission is €5, which includes access to the lobby and a towel to dry off. You should know that everyone inside is naked, but don't worry! It's a safe and friendly space. Keep in mind that they are closed on Mondays, but you can visit from Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

There are many places to eat in Christiana, one of the most special being Spiseloppen, which offers a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and European dishes. If you prefer meat, there are also steak options on the menu. It is advisable to book a table on their official website, where you can also find out about the variety of options on the menu and their prices.

Dinner at this restaurant can cost around €100, with the best dishes ranging from €17 to €33. You can also order takeaway food, and if you go with a group of six people, the restaurant offers a guided tour of the city. Don't miss it!

Other places to eat in Christiania

Walking through the streets of Christiania is a unique and fun experience, but you'll probably get hungry and want to stop for a bite to eat. You can check out Nemoland, a café bar where you can drink local beers that are only available in this independent city. In addition, concerts are always organized for visitors to enjoy. This picturesque place offers a summer and winter menu. During the warm weather, you can enjoy the garden, and when it gets cold, the indoor facilities are available next to the fireplace.

There is street food such as hamburgers, or more gourmet options such as ham tartare, terrine, pork stew, and mini breaded grignotines, among others. In addition, this café has been around since 1970 and has undergone modifications; for example, during the war it was a clandestine pub.

Try vegan food at Morgenstedet

If you want to try a new type of cuisine or are looking for a healthier option, I invite you to stop by Morgenstedet, a restaurant with a vegan menu prepared with organic ingredients. The chefs change every day, so you won't know what to expect each time you visit.

They are closed on Mondays but open Tuesday through Sunday and are located near the factory area. Dishes range from approximately €10 to €15, and you can find more information on their official website.

Bike tours are very popular in Copenhagen, as they allow you to explore the city at your own pace and discover its hidden corners. This is an excellent option for Christiania, as the city is small and full of interesting secrets.

To get the most out of this tour, I recommend taking the Syddyssen trail to circle the city and enjoy its ancient infrastructure. An interesting fact is that you will find abandoned boats that are used as houses and are cheerfully decorated in keeping with the city's hippie aesthetic.

The next stop is the Copenhagen Opera House, which offers special discounts. A few streets away, you will find Pusher Street, where karaoke, live music, and festivals are organized. From here, you can see the entire city. You can also continue strolling through the streets and stop at bars built from recycled furniture.

To finish the tour, be sure to visit the marble Frederiks Kirke church, a Lutheran temple with a variety of monuments to explore, or the surroundings of Amalienborg Palace, one of the best palaces in Copenhagen, which is six minutes from the city by bike.

One of the most famous streets in Christiania is Pusher Street, also known as the Green Light District. There are few photos of this place on the internet, as it is forbidden to document what goes on inside. It is the most unique area of the city. At first glance, there are clothing stores, handicrafts, and tourist items, but if you look closely, you will find hooded people selling drugs at outdoor stalls.

As such, the sale of soft drugs is permitted in Christiania, but the police carry out raids because some stalls sell hard drugs that were banned a few years ago. To visit this area, it is best to sign up for a guided tour. Would you dare to live this extreme experience?

In Christiania, the houses are located very close to a lake that divides the city in two. It is an area that is best visited in a group or with a self-guided audio tour, as some days the surroundings can be desolate. Many trails lead to this spot, and you can get there by bike or on foot.

The lake is ideal for a picnic, and if you walk a little further, you can leave the city and head towards The Little Mermaid, another popular spot in Copenhagen. Near this area, you can also cross the Dyssebroen bridge that connects Christiania with Amager, home to other interesting and picturesque tourist attractions.

Something you can't miss during your stay in Christiania is exploring the bars to try Christiania beer. You can find it in some local places such as Nemoland, the Cheap Beer Bar, and Bryghus.

The beer called Økologisk Christianias Thy Pilsner stands out because it has the city flag and a striking orange label, but the best part is the experience: it is brewed organically and has a fresh, slightly bitter taste with a malty aroma.

Many people come to Christiania to enjoy Den Grå Hal, a concert hall and recital venue that welcomes artists from all over. It was created in 1891 as a horse training facility and, after renovations, became an auditorium for theater, live music, Christmas markets, art exhibitions, fairs, conferences, and much more. One of the most famous bands to have performed here is the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Although Christiania is a small town compared to the rest of Copenhagen, there are still many places steeped in history that you can visit during your stay in the area.

Stop by the Christiania souvenir shop

The best place to pick up a souvenir of Christiania is its gift shop, where you'll find a variety of products inspired by the commune's hippie culture, such as shirts, mugs, scarves, flags, and stickers. There are several stalls scattered around the city, and they're easy to spot because they're red and have a flag consisting of three yellow circles.

Go skateboarding

Sports enthusiasts will find a welcoming space to practice with their skateboards and meet new people. As it is a car-free city, people can walk, play, and use their bikes or skateboards without any risk. There are also special areas, the best spot being Alis Wonderland, a skateboard park that is open every day, 24 hours a day, and admission is completely free.

If you visit Christinia in December, don't miss the Christmas market

The colorful city of Christiania welcomes Christmas with great joy and special events. It is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen, and you can access its attractions in every corner of this district. To celebrate, the locals organize a market where you can taste baked almonds, drink mulled wine, or enjoy local food.

Cool off at Christiania Strand Park

If you go during the summer, you can cool off at Christiania Strand Park, a bohemian-style park on the oceanfront. The best thing about this plan is that it's completely free and located between Copenhagen and the independent city.

In general, Christiania offers a variety of activities to sign up for. For example, near the bike paths, you can rest at Stupa, a Buddhist statue.

Discover the Christianshavn neighborhood

A few streets away is the Christianshavn neighborhood, home to some of Copenhagen's best buildings, such as the Opera House, the Sofiebadet Turkish baths, the Christiania Art Gallery, and the Church of Our Saviour, which is famous because you can climb to the top for the best views of the city.

Christiania was formerly known as Christianshawn and was once the site of an old military refuge. This camp operated from 1802 to 1822 and was then abandoned for many years. It has now been restored by the inhabitants and functions as an independent area with a hippie style. If you want to spend the night in Christiania to continue exploring its streets, it is advisable not to stray too far and opt for hotels in the surrounding area

To communicate, you will need to speak English, as this is one of the languages used by tourists to get around. In Denmark, the main language is Danish and other Scandinavian languages, but practically no one speaks Spanish.

Some interesting facts:

• Cars are not allowed, so bicycles are used instead.
• It is not advisable to visit the city at night, as some areas have no streetlights and are dark.
• Running is prohibited in the city, as this can scare local vendors, who often mistake it for a raid.
• Houses in this area cannot be bought or sold, so they are passed down from one generation to the next. If they are abandoned, they are taken over by the inhabitants.
• Guided tours are not allowed inside Christiania, but they can take you there by bus and give you a guide on what you can do during your stay or offer you an audio guide tour.