1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark frequently ranks in the happiest countries index, so perhaps it's no surprise that its capital city received the highest overall score. Copenhagen scores exceptionally well in the Environment category, which ranks its green spaces, sustainability and waste management; and the Economy category, which factors in items like GDP, median salary and overall innovation and international company presence.
The city also ranked well in the Citizens category, which includes cultural resources like libraries and museums, as well as resident engagement and events. For permanent resident Mari-Anne Daura, the lively food and cultural scene keeps her loving where she lives.
"The city is always organising free events, whether it's The Copenhagen Light Festival, The Human Library, Copenhagen Cooking or the Distortion Street Parties. I appreciate how much effort the city puts into curating experiences for its residents," she said. "There is always something to do and something new to experience, which is what made me choose to live in Copenhagen over Stockholm."
Residents also appreciate Copenhagen's emphasis on alternate and safe modes of transport. "Nearly one-third or more of the population bikes and the city itself has its own bike lane, which many people use to commute to and from the city. The metro system also runs like clockwork," said resident Aaron Wertheimer.
He recommends visitors rent a bike and cycle over the Hans Christian Andersen bridge. "You can see the entire city, its canals and its beautiful architecture, and you'll gain a greater appreciation for the city's aesthetic and overall atmosphere," he said.
4. Aarhus, Denmark
As Denmark's second-largest city, Aarhus often gets called the "world's smallest big city", something that helps residents stay happy by combining urban amenities with a small community feel. The city scored well across all metrics, but especially in Citizens, Environment and Health – factors that residents say come across in the ease of life here.
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Joy is seamlessly woven into daily life – not through extravagance, but through intentional design," said resident Carla Niña Pornelos. "I remember cycling to a community dinner on a rooftop garden overlooking the harbour, realising how accessible happiness can be when a city genuinely supports wellbeing."
She mentions integrated bike lanes, green spaces and free public events that foster a sense of community. The city also prides itself on sustainability initiatives like district heating and waste-to-energy programmes, while healthcare and education are both accessible and high-quality. "It's not just the infrastructure, though," she said. "
It's the sense that people trust each other and their institutions."Home to multiple universities, the city also has an energetic feeling that especially arises after Denmark's long winter. "When spring and summer come around, everyone comes out of hibernation ready to hang out in the parks, swim at the harbour baths or grab a beer by the canal," said local Mathias Steen. "There's such a warm, laid-back vibe; people are everywhere, and the city feels alive."
To get a sense of the city, Pornelos recommends visitors take a walk along the Infinite Bridge at sunrise. "It's a circular pier that stretches out into the sea – quiet, surreal and emblematic of the Danish way of blending nature, art and thoughtful urban planning," she said. "That single moment captures what it's like to live here: balanced, beautiful and profoundly human."
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250515-the-worlds-five-happiest-cities-for-...
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