I Call the World's Happiest City Home — Here’s What Makes It Amazing

The spring blossoms have faded, and posters are going up around town about 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen’s The yearly interior design event signifies just one thing: summer is approaching. This should bring a grin to your face, which is apt considering. Danish capital’s most recent accolade.

Officially, Copenhagen has been declared the happiest city globally by the Institute of Quality of Life. Happy City Index For 2025, the term "happy" is carrying significant weight. It goes well beyond simply indicating happiness. city is brimming with cheerful inhabitants, this evaluation hinges on an extensive analysis of six key areas: people, administration, surroundings, well-being, finance, and transportation. Fundamentally, it honors cities those offering the essential components for a quality existence.

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What makes it rank so highly?

I'm not at all shocked that Copenhagen leads the rankings—I've called this vibrant, historically rich city home for seven years, witnessing firsthand how well it functions. While far from flawless—the extended gloomy winters and limited diversity stand out as drawbacks—there are numerous aspects that excel here. From its secure bicycle paths spanning across its ten distinctive neighborhoods to its emphasis on making daily joy a key focus, Copenhagen has plenty going for it.

It's typical to experience well-rounded days here: putting in work hours until 4 pm, followed by collecting the children from daycare, possibly lending a hand as a volunteer or enjoying some social time. However, there's a catch: our retirement age is being pushed higher. a legislation that could raise it to as high as 70 , a milestone in Europe . But at least Danish workers don’t have to wait until retirement to spend more time enjoying life than working. Plus, Copenhagen’s residents waste little of their day commuting.

There’s something particularly special about the city’s size, somewhere between a town and a metropolis. You can cycle across it in 30 minutes. It’s big enough, but not too big. Here’s how to experience the happiest side of it.

What makes it great – and where to visit

To start with, let’s consider the environmental aspect. As per the Happy City Index, this segment of the rankings focuses on how an area engages with renewable energy, waste management, and pollution — essentially, all the exciting elements. In the year 2023, 63 percent of Copenhagen's electricity was generated from wind and solar power. .

You might not consider this as something you'd typically want to experience during your vacation, yet hold on—among the city’s top places to see is a waste-to-energy facility known as Copenhill The hill features a climbing wall along one edge, a bar situated at the summit, a hiking path circling another side, and a ski slope descending it. During spring and summer, wildflowers bloom alongside the hiking route, while children from ski lessons speed down the slope. Post-skiing, they could grab some powdered sugar-covered jam-filled doughnuts at Lille Bakery.

Copenhill combines municipal services with entertainment—a concept coined as "hedonistic sustainability" by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. The aim is to attract visitors with enjoyable experiences while inadvertently promoting sustainability. Here, sustainability means incorporating urban infrastructure into the heart of the city seamlessly, ensuring minimal disruption for local residents.

What to do

Enjoyment and social duty also go hand in hand in Copenhagen’s Copenpay initiative, a concept aimed at demonstrating how tourism Can serve as a positive influence. Having entered its second year, this initiative honors tourists who spend one or two hours picking up trash, assisting in community gardens, or choosing to bike, walk, or use public transportation when visiting landmarks. As a reward, participants receive numerous perks such as complimentary access to sites, exclusive activities, and free dining options.

In a city as expensive as this one, it’s worthwhile to check it out again because there are now more benefits. My favorite remains the Green Kayak : pick up trash as you paddle through the canals, and the kayaks are provided at no cost.

Copenpay appears to be a success. In 2024, bike rentals increased by 29 per cent and 98 per cent of residents said they would recommend the initiative, according to the tourism board. Last year it ran for four weeks, this time it will run for nine.

How to plan a stay on a budget

The sense of community among Danes is highly significant; their fundamental belief is "we're all in this together." This aspect contributes greatly to making Copenhagen an excellent city to reside in and enhances its ranking. If you want to feel part of this community during your visit, consider attending communal meals rather than upscale dining establishments (Copenhagen boasts 26 Michelin stars).

At community hub Absalon Dinners under £10 have brought strangers together for conversations. Additional choices include the recently opened Nordhus community center in Nordhavn, as well as Kanalhuset within Christiania. Both locations are somewhat secluded compared to Absalon and lean towards a more neighborhood-oriented atmosphere.

Copenhagen's economy plays a significant role in its top ranking in the Happy Cities Index, yet experiencing it firsthand as a tourist can be less enjoyable. Despite thriving businesses, the high cost of living makes things challenging for visitors. For instance, paying over £5 for a latte can feel quite steep. As reported by Numbeo, which tracks costs of living worldwide, Copenhagen’s dining expenses are about 9 percent pricier compared to those in London.

Stay comfortable by getting a hold of one. bolle med ost – a cheese roll – from a bakery for lunch. These offer a small taste of local cuisine, featuring sourdough rolls filled with whipped butter and a piece of yellow cheese. Hart Bakery It’s an excellent spot to sample them.

Where to pause for a rest

Even though they prioritize high-quality living, Danes still face mental health challenges. Due to urban designers ensuring residents are within 300 meters of natural areas, numerous green spots throughout the city offer places for relaxation and connection with nature. My favorite spot is one that exudes romance. Rosenborg Gardens overlooked by the turret-adorned Rosenborg Castle Check if you can find the statue of the fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen amidst the rose bushes.

However, for me, there’s one aspect that really turns Copenhagen into a delightful destination: the harbor. Refreshed and situated right at the center of the city, it serves as a vast aquatic playground equipped with jumping boards. floating swimming pools and solar-powered boats to rent. It’s my happy place – people swim all year round, and it’s an especially great place to be in the summer.

Laura Hall is the author of Time Out Copenhagen and writes Modern Scandinavian , a substack about life in Northern Europe.