Christiania

A small town but a big source of controversy

Noteworthy for: This place has long been a free zone for soft drugs. Despite attempts to crackdown by city authorities, cannabis is still openly sold on stalls.
Talk of the town: Bicycles with cargo trailers attached to their fronts, which you'll see all over Copenhagen, were invented in Christiania.

Christiania is a unique place - a self-proclaimed freetown for those with alternative lifestyles. It was founded in 1971 when hippies occupied an abandoned 85-acre military base, and the squat soon evolved into a self-governing, non-materialistic society with around 1,000 permanent residents.
The site consists of former military barracks housing cafes, galleries, music venues, and shops, whilst a warren of paths lead to colourful, ramshackle little houses and gardens filled with art and flowers.

Visitors are welcome at Christiania - indeed, it is Copenhagen's second most popular tourist attraction, after Tivoli - but do ask before taking photos. And be aware that, at night, the presence of drug dealers can give the atmosphere a bit of an edge.

Unsurprisingly, the progressive enclave has a complicated relationship with authorities. Residents are currently looking into collectively buying the land, but the future is uncertain. So, do visit while you can.