- Danes have a special word “hygge” for that cozy feeling of togetherness. Hygge is as Danish as æbleskiver (pancake balls)and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.
- The Danish monarchy has existed for over a thousand years.
Kronborg Castle, known as Elsinore in the Tragedy of Hamlet – Helsingor, Denmark - Danes enjoy salty licorice with a cold glass of cold milk.
- The UN World Happiness Report has rated Danes as the happiest people on earth two years in a row.
- When trying to be funny in Copenhagen, remember the Danes have a strong sense of irony.
- Danes really like pickled herring.
- If you decide to buy a boat in Copenhagen and sail to the nearest shore on the other side of the water, you will arrive to Sweden.
- LEGO is Danish!
- Interestingly enough, the Danish language has no word for “please”. Instead Danes use phrases, and gestures to be polite, such as ‘vær så venlig’(be so kind) and ‘hvis du vil være så sød’ (if you would be so sweet). There is also a lot of thanking going on in Denmark.
- Do not jaywalk! When crossing the road Danes always wait for the traffic signals to change to “go”. Even if the road is clear!
- First acknowledged in 1219, the Danish flag remains the oldest state flag in the world.
15. Danes eat an average of 42 sausages a year.
17. Copenhagen has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in Scandinavia.
18. The Copenhagen harbor is clean enough to swim in!
19. Place names in the UK ending in -by (Whitby) and -thorpe (Scunthorpe) were Viking settlements.
20. The average tax rate in Denmark is 49%.
Come and find out more about the Danish way of life on our Copenhagen tours.