Top 10 Copenhagen Hidden Gems: Hidden Trolls, Cemetery Hangouts, and the Secret to Danish Happiness with Rikke Bisgaard Svendsen

An episode of the Zero To Travel Podcast podcast, hosted by Jason Moore, titled "Top 10 Copenhagen Hidden Gems: Hidden Trolls, Cemetery Hangouts, and the Secret to Danish Happiness with Rikke Bisgaard Svendsen" was published on June 24, 2025 and runs 76 minutes.

June 24, 2025 ·76m · Zero To Travel Podcast

Summary

What if the best way to explore Copenhagen isn’t in the guidebooks, but in a cemetery, on a bike hunt for trolls, or over a plate of smørrebrød with locals?  Rikke Bisgaard-Svensen is the co-founder of Copenhagen Free Walking Tours and a self-described travel addict whose life has revolved around two things: taking off to faraway lands and sharing her love for her hometown. What started as a side hustle born out of winter-season job loss turned into a 13-year journey building one of the most beloved free walking tour companies in Denmark.  In this episode, we’re exploring the evolving spirit of Copenhagen and sharing 10 Copenhagen hidden gems for travelers who want to see the city like a local, plus the surprising backstory behind Rikke’s tour company and how she fell into entrepreneurship.  If you want to experience Copenhagen beyond the usual sights, Rikke brings the kind of insight only a longtime local can offer. You'll hear about troll hunts in the suburbs, the deeper meaning behind a now-vanished statue, and what it’s really like to build a business in a country where modesty is a cultural expectation. Along the way, we talk about the unique Danish relationship with happiness (hygge), and hanging out in cemeteries (yes, really).  What’s your favorite hidden gem in your hometown that you wish more people knew about? I'd love to hear what it is, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  How Couchsurfing led to launching a tour company  Why she never imagined becoming an entrepreneur (and what changed)  How “janteloven” impacts ambition and leadership  How Copenhagen has transformed over the past decade  Where to find Copenhagen’s hidden troll sculptures (and why they matter)  The oldest amusement park in the world, and it's very unusual location  How locals use cemeteries as parks (and what that says about death)  An alternative to the famous Little Mermaid statue  Where to get the best smørrebrød, cinnamon snails, and pastries in town  Advice to anyone wanting to run a travel business  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Copenhagen Free Walking Tours  Forgotten Giants  Donkey Republic bike-renting app  I Am Queen Mary  Københavner Cafeen  Hart Bageri  Want More?  New Zealand: Top 10 Hidden Gems, Campervan Lifestyle (Tips and Tricks), and Doing Life Differently With Lisa Jansen  Top 5 Hidden Gem Film Locations For Travelers w/ Rebecca Almost Ginger  Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description