Did you know Denmark is the happiest country in the world?
That’s according to the United Nations World Happiness Report and I was very intrigued to find out why for myself.
So, the week before Easter, when Spring started to make its presence known (warm weather at last!), I hopped on a flight with Norwegian airlines from London Gatwick to my first Danish destination: Copenhagen.
Over the next five days, I would be exploring Denmark’s capital city with a day trip out to two towns on the Zealand Island. Denmark is actually a series of islands scattered around the Jutland Peninsula.
So, with one aim in mind, I would photograph just exactly why Denmark is so happy. Just what was it about the country and Copenhagen that makes the people so happy? Would I become the happiest I’ve ever been before? Would I be moving to this old Nordic and Viking country?
Starting on a bright Saturday, I would soon find out quickly from my base at the luxurious Generator Hostels Copenhagen, the educational walking tour with Sandeman New Europe Tours, sightseeing the Royal castles and delving deep into Denmark’s history at the National Museum.
Soon, by the end I would be flying the Danish flag with complete gusto.
Let’s see what I managed to capture in my introductory post about Denmark:
Let’s board on the plane to Copenhagen!
Now that’s one good-looking Copenhagen airport!
Even travelling on the metro at the front is therapeutic…
Staying at the colourful Generator Hostels!
Listening to very soulful musical buskers in Copenhagen Nyhavn makes me feel all is right with the world.
I can even begin to describe how beautiful Nyhavn is!
Fresh sea air is blown up alongside the Promenade in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is just like a gateway into a fairytale…hey, is that why Hans Christian Anderson liked Copenhagen to write his famous stories?
How gorgeous is Christiansborg?! No wonder the Danish Parliament chose to sit here!
Exploring the National Museum is a definite must do when you’re in Copenhagen. You’ll get to find out how the capital city was shaped over the last 400 years!
Copenhagen is just so peaceful and quiet! I never felt stressed at all when I was here.
The Danish loves to keep their buildings happy! This is the Radhus. (City Hall)
Even the flowers are ready to spring into action!
Now you can’t look at Danish pastries and not smile!
Copenhagen is a world of pure imagination to be inspired by.
The colours just make me squeal like a Japanese schoolgirl!
Bishop Absalom is such a character not to like! Want to know more about him? Find out in my posts!
Even this stiff upper lip of a gentleman am I is cracking a smile
The Danish coin clinks beautifully
Copenhagen is truly proud of its history and likes to sing it out loud!
If Danish people can a bike without helmets in this city, then you must be happy knowing you are safe as always!
This.
Copenhagen is educated and cultured
The Danish love their Royal Family who can be found in the devastatingly beautiful Amalienborg Palaces
Cute.
I feel like skipping!
Seeing this view is like getting a sock into my stomach on how AWESOME it is
There’s a lot of colour in Copenhagen citizens lives
You need to enter Frederiks Kirke… you’ll see why.
Is this heaven?
You’re feeling sky-high in Copenhagen all the time
Oh I say, sir! Suits you sir!
LOVE!
You can’t begrudge the courthouse
Can I live in the red building please?
The Danish tour guide on the New Copenhagen walking tour was just so funny!
Everyone literally sang ‘Part of this world’ seeing the Little Mermaid!
There’s trampolines on the waterfront in Copenhagen! I can’t even…
Breath-taking sunset!
The new Opera House does have a view!
Every Danish person loves to bring out the Danish flag for anything!
Copenhagen is chock a block full of parks to take a long wander in to be with nature
Copenhagen has the Rosenborg Slot – a fairytale castle
Wow, even the beer glasses are bigger in Denmark… could that be the happiness secret?!
Discovering Cock’s and Cows Restaurant was a huge highlight of my stay… find out more soon!
Now, look at my smile! I loved Copenhagen!
Have you been to Copenhagen? Did you think it was the happiest capital city in the world? Let me know your thoughts below!
I was pretty happy there… Until I had to get a taxi to the airport at 5am. Wow, walking around the outside of the station/Tivoli I have never seen so many homeless people. And the price of a taxi-sheesh! Make sure you pre arrange your airport return (if the trains are out of service!).
Did you not get the cheap 24 hour bus?
Well evidently not. We HAD planned to get a train, we checked the times prior to departure and all was OK however we didn’t realise that at that time the main entrance to the station (with all the information) would be closed and we couldn’t make head nor tails of what train to catch. Our destination wasnt marked on any of the incoming (and infrequent) trains and there wasn’t even a helpful map to be seen. As I say, the closer you got to the main (closed) station the more rowdy the drunk, homeless looked… took the easy option not realising the cost until we watched the meter climb but we had little other option. Oh well, part n parcel of the fun that comes with travelling on the fly 🙂
Haha, loving your photos Ed! I just got back from Copenhagen yesterday and even though the weather was terrible (which didn’t make for the best photos), I loved exploring the city.
I’m not sure if I’m sold on the “happiest capital in the world” thing, but in general people did seem very happy.
Can only imagine what Copenhagen is like on a warm, summer’s day 🙂
Thanks for the review Ed, judging from your photos it certainly looks a happy place.