According to the Institute for Quality of Life’s Happy City Index 2025, Copenhagen ranks No. 1 as the world’s happiest city. Every year, the Institute for Quality of Life ranks cities based on 82 indicators such as education, access to green spaces, and the environment. Just a short train ride or flight from major nearby cities like Amsterdam and Berlin, Copenhagen excels in happiness. Even the city’s airport is one of the world’s least stressful airports. Residents bike to work and spend long weekends relaxing in parks and green spaces, thanks to a shorter 37-hour work week.
To experience why Copenhagen ranks so high on the happiness index, it’s best to visit the city and see it the way locals do. Here, we will learn the research behind the study, and dive into how shorter workweeks, universal healthcare, and sustainable transportation adds up to real joy. The easiest way to get here is by train if you are coming from Sweden or Germany, or you can fly into Copenhagen Airport, which serves as a major transportation hub from other major cities in Europe and beyond.
Hop on a bike to see Copenhagen the Danish way
To fully understand why Copenhagen ranks as the world’s happiest city, travel like a local does and hop on a bike. With over 239 miles of bike lanes in the city, it’s no wonder why the Global Bicycle Cities Index 2022 ranked Copenhagen as the world’s fourth most bicycle-friendly city. Not only does biking help promote physical and mental well-being, but it also helps you interact with your community. Of both biking and walking, the Happy City Index writes that this “increased social interaction can strengthen community bonds and promote a sense of belonging, both of which are essential for overall happiness.” Paired with an efficient public transportation system and thought-out infrastructure, this makes the city stand out. The report says, as “a leader in green transportation, 69% of all travel in the city is environmentally friendly … the city is a model of safe and sustainable transportation.”
Plus, the city is generously rewarding eco-friendly tourists, making it easy to earn perks like free entrance to a museum in exchange for sustainable behavior, such as riding a bike. To rent a bike, check your hotel’s reception to see if a free rental is included with your stay, or as an add-on. A popular bicycle-share program in Copenhagen is the Donkey Republic app. One option is to start your ride at the Little Mermaid statue near the Kastellet Fortress and end with a leisurely ride along the waterfront promenade at Islands Brygge. Another area you can visit is Rick Steve’s favorite, a Hippie District that embraces the sustainability and car-free lifestyle.
Copenhagen prioritizes green spaces and work-life balance
