I Live in the World’s Happiest City—Here’s What Makes It Truly Great

The spring flowers have wilted, and billboards are being put up throughout the city advertising 3daysofdesign.
Copenhagen’s
annual interior design festival. It means only one thing: summer must be on the way. It’s enough to put a smile on your face, which is fitting given the
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” carries significant weight. It extends beyond merely indicating happiness;
city
is brimming with cheerful inhabitants, this ranking relies on an extensive evaluation of six criteria: people, administration, surroundings, wellness, finance, and transportation. Fundamentally, it honors
cities
that offer the proper components for a fulfilling life.

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What accounts for its high ranking?

I’m not at all astonished that Copenhagen leads the rankings—I’ve resided in this vibrant, historically rich city for seven years, witnessing its dynamism firsthand. While it isn’t flawless—with drawbacks like lengthy dreary winters and limited cultural variety—it excels in numerous aspects. From its secure bicycle paths spanning across its ten distinctive neighborhoods to prioritizing enjoyment of daily life, Copenhagen has much going for it.

It’s typical to experience well-rounded days here: putting in work hours until 4 pm, followed by collecting children from daycare, perhaps engaging in volunteer activities or enjoying some social time. However, an inconvenience arises as our retirement age continues to rise.
a legislation that could raise it to as much as 70
, a milestone in
Europe
However, at least Danish workers don’t have to wait until they retire to enjoy life more than they work. Additionally, people living in Copenhagen hardly spend much of their day traveling to and from work.

The charm of this city lies in its moderate scale, nestled between a quaint town and a bustling metropolis. You could easily bike from one end to the other in just half an hour. It offers ample space without being overwhelmingly large. Discover here what makes it truly joyful.

What sets it apart – and places to check out

To start with, we’ll consider the environment. As per the Happy City Index, this segment of the rankings focuses on how an area relates to renewable energy, waste management, and pollution — essentially covering all the exciting aspects. In 2023,
63 percent of Copenhagen’s electricity was generated from wind and solar power.
.

You may not consider this as something you’d typically seek out during your vacation, yet hold on—among the city’s top attractions is a waste-to-energy facility known as
Copenhill
The hill features a climbing wall along one side, a bar situated at the summit, and a hiking path encircling another section. Additionally, it boasts a ski run descending from the peak. During the months of spring and summer, vibrant wildflowers bloom alongside the hiking route, while children attending ski lessons speed downhill. Post their activities, these young ones could perhaps indulge in some powdered-sugar coated jam-filled doughnuts available at Lille Bakery.

Copenhill combines municipal services with recreational activities—a concept coined as “hedonistic sustainability” by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. The premise is to attract visitors with enjoyable experiences while inadvertently promoting environmental responsibility. Here, sustainability means incorporating urban infrastructures within the city limits seamlessly so they do not disrupt local inhabitants.

What to do

Fun and social responsibility likewise converge in Copenhagen’s
Copenpay
initiative, a concept aimed at demonstrating how
tourism
Can serve as a positive influence. This initiative, now in its second year, 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 various perks such as complimentary access to sites, exclusive experiences, and free meals.

In a city as expensive as this one, it’s worthwhile to explore – offering even greater benefits this time around. My favorite remains the
Green Kayak
: pick up trash as you paddle through the canals, and the kayaks are provided at no cost.

Copenpay seems to have been successful. The data shows that bike rentals rose by 29 percent in 2024, and 98 percent of locals stated they would endorse the program, as reported by the tourism authority. This past year, it operated for four weeks; however, this time around, it will extend over nine weeks.

How to organize a trip without breaking the bank

The sense of community is highly valued among Danes; they firmly believe in “all being in this together.” This principle contributes significantly to making Copenhagen an excellent city to reside in and enhances its standing on various lists. As a tourist, how do you immerse yourself in this communal spirit? Choose neighborhood potlucks instead of upscale eateries (Copenhagen boasts 26 Michelin-starred establishments).

At community hub
Absalon
Dinners priced under £10 gather strangers for conversations. Alternative venues include the recently opened Nordhus community center in Nordhavn, and Kanalhuset within Christiania. Both locations are somewhat secluded compared to Absalon and have a stronger emphasis on the local community.

Copenhagen’s thriving economy contributes significantly to its top ranking in the Happy Cities Index; however, this does not necessarily make it an enjoyable destination for visitors. Despite robust business growth, the city has a high cost of living. For tourists, paying over £5 for a latte can feel quite steep. As reported by Numbeo, which tracks costs of living worldwide, Copenhagen charges about 9 percent more for dining out compared to London.

Maintain sanity by holding onto something.
bolle med ost
— A gourmet cheese roll from a bakery for lunch. These treats offer a delightful taste of the city, 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 living standards, Danes still face mental health challenges. Due to urban designers ensuring residents always have access to natural areas within 300 meters, numerous parks dot the cityscape, offering places for relaxation and connection with nature. My favorite spot is one of these idyllic locations known for its charming ambiance.
Rosenborg Gardens
overlooked by the turret-equipped
Rosenborg Castle
Look for the statue of fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen amidst the rose bushes.

However, for me, the true delight of Copenhagen lies in its harbor. Refreshed and situated at the very center of the city, it serves as an expansive blue oasis equipped with jumping boards for dives.
floating swimming pools
and
solar-powered boats
To rent. It’s where I find joy – folks swim throughout the year, and it becomes particularly wonderful during the summertime.

Laura Hall is the writer of
Time Out Copenhagen
and writes
Modern Scandinavian
, a Substack focusing on life in Northern Europe.