Christiania Copenhagen

Sometimes you find a place that is just so you, you can’t imagine a time when you’d not been there. I have a few, and Copenhagen as a city is definitely on that list. I found somewhere extra special while I was there. Christiania Copenhagen is a place so full of colour and quirky things I shot about 100 photos during my two hours there, and said ‘wow’ more times than I could count.

There’s no way I could visit somewhere this fantastic without talking to you guys about it, so this post has my thoughts and feelings about Christiania, as well as some of the best photographs I took there.

Christiania Copenhagen is a pretty amazing place. I hope this post shows you a little bit about why I feel that way.

As soon as I’d booked my Flixbus Coach to Copenhagen I knew I wanted to see Christiania. This free-spirited international commune is somewhere that seems to divide opinion.

Is Christiania Copenhagen safe to visit?

When I asked on Twitter who’d been and what they thought, I had as many people replying who hated it as I did those who loved it, which surprised me.

Some said they felt a bit unsafe or that there was a weird vibe. I didn’t get that impression at all. I felt safe wandering around alone during a quiet day and I’d happily go back.

Christiania has something new around every corner: another street art piece, a skate park or a gorgeously odd mosaic in the centre of a small, park-like space.

I was surprised to find a large lake at the other end of Christiania Copenhagen. If the weather had been warmer, I would have walked around it to carry on exploring and see what was on the other side.

As I visited in February, I sat for a few moments enjoying the peace before turning back.

Freetown Christiania, or just Christiania as the locals know it, was originally a military area. But in the 70s it became a commune, and it developed into the ‘lawless’ society it is today.

What are the rules in Freetown Christiania?

These days it’s not particularly lawless. Officially they don’t follow Danish law and prefer to set their own but their rules are more decent than hippy in my opinion.

Cannabis use within the commune was tolerated by Danish authorities until 2004 but these days there are regular raids, including one during my visit.

Most laws they follow are obvious ones – like no guns, for example. I have no problem with this version of society.

Let people live how they want as long as they’re not harming anyone else, right?

Taking photos in Christiania Copenhagen

Officially, you shouldn’t be taking photos in Christiania at all. Actually, as long as you’re not photographing the locals going about their business (which is just rude to do anyway) or the Green Light area – Pusher Street where they’re selling weed – you’re fine.

I had my camera round my neck the whole time and no one cared. Lots of the art on display had the artists’ Instagram handles anyway, so they definitely wanted it to be photographed.

Since coming home and sharing my Christiania photos on social media, I’ve had really mixed feedback on the area.

Some people loved it, feeling the same way I did about the laidback lifestyle and loving the colour everywhere, but a fair few really didn’t like it.

These were people who normally love colour and street art, which surprised me.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Christiania Copenhagen, whether you’ve been or just read about it. Leave a comment below.