Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen is full of surprises. For those lovers of quirky off the wall spots then the wacky Freetown Republic of Christiania is well worth a day trip or even a crazy overnighter. After passing through the archway entrance you are now entering the happy go lucky self declared freetown state of Christiania. The motto of the country is Bevar Christiania which means “Save Christiania”. Here are 5 ice cool backpacking sights in this off the wall Republic and Freetown. Don’t forget – you’re not in Denmark, you’re in Christiania!!

Top 5 Sights in the Wacky Freetown of Christiania

1. The Christiania Entrance Gate
You will arrive and go most probably through this entrance gate. Grab a few selfies and look out for customs on the way into the country (joking!). But seriously it’s cool isn’t it? On the way out it even says “you are now entering the EU”. Love the quirkiness of it! No visa needed either!

Christiania Entrance Arch

2. Nemoland
Welcome to Nemoland!! You speak to people from other planets here in this chill out zone. Within Nemoland are two bars which both sell the cherished Christiania Beer. Some people like to be photographed but you can take photos as long as you ask permission and aren’t including others that don’t want to be in them. I had a beer in both bars in the Nemoland area – the cost was 25 Danish Kroners a beer. Red and yellow labelled Christiania beers.

A beer in Nemoland

3. Pusher Street
Pusher Street is the main street in the country and where it’s at. The name Pusher Street itself conjures up surreal ideas and this street and area has a pretty strict no photos policy so be aware please (for once I put my camera away and respected it). The street is full of high spirited people such as hippies, arty folk, druggies and chilled out people. You can buy your weed at stalls here and get a feel for the relaxed vibe of this zany loony republic. You can also get your money changed at Sunshine Bakery.

Pusher Street

4. Green Light District
The lights are green for go smoke! This area around Pusher Street has a strict no photos policy and is so called because of the Marijuana leaf. You’ll smell it in the air and you can smoke the day away and chill the f*ck out without a care in the world. Obviously smoking is happening a lot here and a good range of cannabis seeds are available, but please remember no photos, OK!

Green Light District

5. Bevar Christiania Souvenir Shop
When you are a wacky off the wall state like Christiania, then you might want to get some rare souvenirs to take away with you. You’re in luck. There are actually a few souvenir shops in Christiania and most allow photos and sell quirky merchandise. I bought a few reminders of my time here and loved looking at the cool stuff which you can’t buy anywhere else in the world.

Souvenirs from Christiania

After your wacky crazy happy time in this mini country, it’s time to walk under that arch and head back to the EU…and the real world…

An Overview on Christiania:
Christiania is officially known as Freetown Christiania (In Danish this is Fristaden Christiania). Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood mini “republic” of about 850 residents, covering 34 hectares (84 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn in the Danish capital city of Copenhagen.

Flag of Christiania

Freetown Christiania has its own flag, border, laws and has also issued its own stamps and coins in the past. There is also a Christiania beer and the country is classed as a Micronation. Civic authorities in Copenhagen regard Christiania as a large commune, but the area has a unique status in that it is regulated by a special law, the Christiania Law of 1989, which transfers parts of the supervision of the area from the municipality of Copenhagen to the state. It was closed by residents in April 2011, whilst discussions continued with the Danish government as to its future, but is now open again. Christiania has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971. Its cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, some measures for normalising the legal status of the community have led to conflicts, police raids and negotiations which are ongoing. Among many Christiania residents, the community is known as “staden” (“the town”), short for “fristaden” (“the freetown”).

Christiania

Name of Country: The Freetown of Christiania
Currency: Danish Kroner (Euros and Swedish Kroners can be exchanged in Sunshine Bakery)
Official Language: Danish
Independent Since: 1971
Official Flag: Red rectangle with a hat trick of yellow circles on it
Population: 850 – 2,000
Official Language: Danish (English is widely overheard and spoken in Christiania)
Government: Anarchist Republic
Website: Christiania Freetown

Here are some of my videos from my time backpacking in Christiania this crazy Republic: