Why Is Copenhagen The Happiest City In The World?

Keeping it Cool in Copenhagen

After living in Sweden for two years, it was time to explore Scandinavia and see who my neighbours are.  I had already been to Olso on a different trip, so Copenhagen was next on the list.  Ideally I am a plane person, but being aware of the relatively new Oresund Bridge that actually connects the two countries together, I was keen to experience it.  The only drawback was, when our car finally drove up to cross, we were hit with a €50 /$57 toll; so a return trip was over a $100!  All I could think about as we rolled across was that we better see unicorns and maybe some lions, tigers and bears on it for that amount of money!

So what do you think of when you think of Denmark?  One of the first things come to mind is Tivoli Gardens.  I first learned of Tivoli Gardens when I was in school.  I don’t remember much about it, except for the fact it was in Copenhagen and that spelled backwards it reads, I-LOV-IT, which I thought was clever.

Located in the center of Copenhagen and open from mid-April to mid-September, Tivoli Gardens is a historical, world-class amusement park with more than two dozen rides in addition to live entertainment and more than 30 eateries.

A top recommendation in Copenhagen is to visit Nyhavn, the colorful waterfront district.  Great atmosphere going around here and is equally busy in and off the water.  This area is really the crown of Copenhagen, in my view.  The rainbow-infused, tall and narrow houses were lovely to wander by and all along the water is edged with rows of restaurants, some of which offer live music.  There’s even a bridge where people leave love locks as in other cities of Europe.  Mind the numerous tourists on bikes negotiating around everyone as you could get your toes run over!

Top Recommended Copenhagen TO DOs:

1. Tivoli Garden  A must-see top attraction; perfect for kids of all ages if you enjoy amusement parks.  Lovely to go in the evenings to see the beautiful light show; watch a concert and take in the regal garden fountains.  History is greatly preserved at this magical venue and in general it is very well kept and clean.  Enjoy the parade at 5pm.  The park is not too big and can be accomplished in half a day.
2. The Little Mermaid  The famous small, peaceful and ethereal statue on the rock shore has quite the reputation.  Come early as the crowds make it difficult to take a selfie with her.  Some people prefer to just look her up online instead, but if you are into famous landmarks and ticking things off the tourist checklist, then by all means…
3. Nyhavn  Copenhagen’s once dilapidated old harbour district has been revitalised with a string of vibrant bars and stylish restaurants.  Great for a leisurely stroll, enjoying lunch or an ice cream on the terrace or perusing the jewelry and antique vendors along the way.   I recommend taking a boat ride to get the most out of your experience there.  Hans Christian Andersen’s home where most his fairy tales were written is also there so worth passing by if you’re a fan.
4. Bike Tours -Bikes are all around Copenhagen and so are bike shops, which many offer bike tours.  Although our hotel offered bike tours, they were a little pricey and after walking around the city later that day we found a more affordable one in Nyhavn and it was well worth it!
5. Strøget One of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets with a wealth of shops, from budget-friendly chains to some of the world’s most expensive brands. The stretch is over half a mile long and runs from City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) to Kongens Nytorv.
6. Church of Our Saviour  climb the serpent spire of this historic church where the last third is outside!  It affords an extraodinary 360 degree views of the city.  A must if you are not too tired or afraid of heights.
7. Amalienborg Palace  An impressive place to take in Danish, culture, government, and the monarchy. When the Danish flag flies, it indicates royalty is in town. The Great Hall and the Danish Crown Jewels is an experience not to be missed.  Also witness the changing of the guards everyday at noon which makes a great excuse to take some pics!
8. Danish Food Tour & Beer Tasting  Discover secret places in this beautiful city while enjoying its culinary specialties. Get a taste of how locals who love great food might spend the day.  Try delicious foods that you might never have ordered in a restaurant only because you wouldn’t have known what they were.  Most importantly, remember to come hungry!

 

 

Know Before You Go.  Top Reads:

PROS & CONS: Copenhagen

Pros:

• The gateway to Scandinavia.  If you are already exploring continental Europe, then Copenhagen is the easiest stop to tick a Scandi country off your list.
• Lots of activities to see and do, for people of all ages and backgrounds.
• English is widely spoken.  I was pleasantly surprised to understand some Danish from my limited amount of Swedish.
• Safe–at least where we were.  We never felt uncomfortable walking around.
• Bike and pedestrian friendly
• Ranked one of the happiest places in the world according to the United Nation’s World Happiness Report.

Cons:

• There are very little negative points I can think of.  Pick pockets are all over Europe, so be careful with your valuables on you and in your hotel.  Make sure you have a hotel safe and never leave your purse or valuables unattended.

Conclusion:  Copenhagen is perfect for a weekend city break to experience a taste of Scandinavia.  It’s a safe, bike-happy, leading sustainable city that is clean and well-kept with plenty of options to see and do (not to mention proud owners of an enviable, world-class social system!). The locals are friendly, welcoming and very open-minded.  With all this in consideration, it is clear to see why Copenhagen is the happiest place in the world!

What do you think?  Have you been to Copenhagen?  Do you have something to say?  Let us know your thoughts!