Copenhagen, the capital and most populous city of Denmark, sits primarily on the island of Zealand and is home to roughly 667,000 residents in the municipality alone, with the broader urban area reaching approximately 1.4 million people. Settled as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century near what is now Gammel Strand, it grew into a major regional power and became the official capital of Denmark in the early 15th century. Today the city is characterized by canals, cobblestones, and an extensive cycling infrastructure — Gates notes there are more than 250 miles of bike lanes and that at any given moment there are roughly six times as many bicycles as cars on the road. Among its many cultural institutions, the National Museum of Denmark serves as the country's premier archive of Viking-age history, drawing on artifacts and treasures from across Scandinavia. Gates opened his investigation into Viking secrets here, using the museum as a launching point for a broader journey into what made Norse civilization so formidable.
Viking fishing village established in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand
Copenhagen formally becomes the capital of Denmark
City serves as de facto capital of the Kalmar Union, governing much of the modern Nordic region
Copenhagen bombarded by a British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars
Gates visits Copenhagen and the National Museum of Denmark in Expedition Unknown S04E01 "Viking Secrets"
Copenhagen's role as a gateway to Viking history is well established in mainstream scholarship. The National Museum of Denmark holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Norse-age artifacts in the world, representing Norsemen from what are now Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. As Gates explains on camera, the Vikings 'weren't a single nation' but rather 'people of the north who roamed and conquered in a golden age that began in the middle of the 8th century and lasted for almost 300 years.'
Mainstream historians generally caution against the popular caricature of Vikings as purely destructive raiders. Archaeological evidence increasingly points to complex societies with sophisticated trade networks, legal systems, and craftsmanship. The treasures on display at the National Museum reflect this nuance — fine metalwork, runic inscriptions, and navigational tools that speak to a culture capable of far more than pillaging.
One of the genuine debates within Viking scholarship concerns the degree of political unity among Norse peoples and the role individual rulers played in consolidating power. Gates picks up on this thread by noting that, unlike the Romans with Caesar or the Mongols with Genghis Khan, most people cannot name a single Viking king — and teases that a recently excavated fortress may help answer why certain leaders rose above the rest.
Gates' Copenhagen segment functions primarily as an orientation — grounding the episode's larger investigation in historical context before moving into the field. The museum visit sets the evidentiary baseline for the season's questions without making specific claims of discovery. What the episode contributes here is accessibility: translating academic Viking history into a relatable starting point for a general audience.
Copenhagen has more than 250 miles of dedicated bike lanes, and at any given time there are roughly six times as many bicycles as cars on the road.
The city was settled as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century near what is now Gammel Strand before becoming Denmark's capital in the early 15th century.
During the 16th century, Copenhagen served as the de facto capital of the Kalmar Union, which governed much of the modern Nordic region under a Danish-led confederation.
Denmark regularly ranks among the happiest countries in the world — a fact Gates cheekily references while cycling past residents on his way to the National Museum.
The National Museum of Denmark is generally accessible to visitors in central Copenhagen and is one of the city's most-visited cultural institutions; check the museum's official website for current hours and admission details. Copenhagen itself is easily navigated by public transit, bicycle, or on foot, with most major landmarks clustered near the historic city center.
Copenhagen is itself the nearest major city; Malmö, Sweden is approximately 16 kilometers away across the Øresund strait, connected by the Øresund Bridge.
Late spring through early autumn (May to September) typically offers the mildest weather and longest daylight hours for exploring the city. Summer months can be busy with tourists, so visiting in May or early September may offer a better balance of good weather and manageable crowds.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is the broader cultural and geographic homeland of the Vikings whose history Gates begins investigating in Copenhagen, making it a direct continuation of the same expedition thread.
Scotland
Scotland was a major destination and settlement area for Norse raiders and settlers, connecting directly to the Viking expansion Gates traces from Denmark.
Normandy Beaches, France
Normandy — whose very name derives from 'Northmen' — represents one of the most significant Viking footholds in continental Europe and is a natural extension of the Norse legacy Gates explores.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia