【Denmark Vol. 1】Cycling Through the Summer of the “Happiest Country in the World”: Copenhagen Highlights and Local Experiences

Bike City – Copenhagen

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Summer in this city—often called “the happiest country in the world”—is surprisingly beautiful.

After landing at the airport and heading into town, the first thing you notice is the sheer number of bicycles. In Copenhagen, bikes—not cars—take center stage. Wide, dedicated bike lanes stretch on and on, seemingly everywhere. So we did what the locals do: we rented bicycles and decided to explore the city on two wheels.

The Journey Begins at City Hall Square — Exploring the City by Bike

We started our bike journey from the heart of the city, City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen).

To the right rises the solid, red-brick Copenhagen City Hall, with a tower over 100 meters tall. The brick color looks stunning against the bright blue sky.

The Heart of the Kingdom: Christiansborg Palace and a Ride Through the Historic Core

Heading to the nearby island of Slotsholmen, a grand stone palace comes into view—Christiansborg Palace (Christiansborg Slot).

It’s the political center of Denmark, currently housing the Danish Parliament and the Supreme Court. I also heard that its central tower is the tallest in Copenhagen. The building’s imposing presence is genuinely overwhelming.

Rosenborg Castle and the Round Tower — A Beautiful Cityscape of Green and Red Brick

After enjoying historic architecture, we rode a bit north to Rosenborg Castle (Rosenborg Slot), nestled inside the lush King’s Garden (Kongens Have).

It’s a beautiful Dutch Renaissance castle, and inside you can see crowns and jewels on display. But what impressed me most was the garden surrounding it: the contrast between the dignified castle and the relaxed locals enjoying the park is simply perfect.

Back in the city center, we also climbed the unique landmark Round Tower (Rundetårn). It’s famous for being a “tower without stairs”—instead, you walk up a spiraling ramp that winds all the way to the top. From the summit, you get a sweeping view of Copenhagen’s rooftops, stretching out in warm shades of orange.

From Nyhavn to Amalienborg — Summer Scenes of Canals and Royal Palaces

When you think of Copenhagen, you naturally think of the waterfront. We headed to Nyhavn, a postcard-perfect spot lined with colorful wooden buildings along the canal—said to have been loved by Hans Christian Andersen. In summer, the terrace seating is packed with people enjoying beer from midday, and the whole area feels filled with pure “happiness.”

From there, we cycled along the water to Amalienborg Palace (Amalienborg Slot).

This is the royal residence where the Danish royal family still lives today. Four Rococo-style palaces surround an octagonal square. At the center stands an equestrian statue of King Frederik V, guarded by royal guards. The fact that ordinary citizens and tourists can freely cycle through the grounds of an active royal residence really conveys the “open” atmosphere of the Danish monarchy.

The Star-Shaped Fortress Kastellet and The Little Mermaid — Classic Seaside Stops

We passed through Kastellet, a star-shaped fortress. Today it’s open as a public park, with rows of barracks painted a vivid red.

Against the blue sky, the red-and-white Danish flag—Dannebrog, said to be among the world’s oldest national flags—stands out beautifully.

And then, of course, we went to see the famous Little Mermaid statue (The Little Mermaid). People sometimes call it one of the “world’s three biggest disappointments,” and when you see it in person… yes, it really is small. But with the bright blue sea and sky behind it, I honestly don’t think it’s that bad.

Freetown Christiania — “Another Copenhagen”

Copenhagen isn’t only about clean, beautiful scenery. We pedaled our way to the place often called the “free city”: Freetown Christiania.

This area was created by hippies as a kind of autonomous zone, free from government interference—or so it’s said. The moment you pass through the gate, the atmosphere changes completely: graffiti-covered walls, handmade houses, and a distinct smell in the air.

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside, so I don’t have a single photo. An underground kind of freedom suddenly appearing in the middle of orderly Copenhagen—it was quite a sight.

Nordic Food to Finish the Day: Smørrebrød

To end our cycling day, we tried Denmark’s traditional dish, Smørrebrød.

There are many variations, but I ordered a fish smørrebrød—rye bread topped with fish, onions, and capers. It looked beautiful and tasted incredible. Nordic countries are expensive, but this is absolutely worth trying.

Next time, I’ll share Vol. 2: Copenhagen in Spring.