Aarhus in Denmark has been named the happiest city in the world in the Happy City Index 2024. 

Despite taking the top spot in the ranking, the city is still relatively unknown to many tourists. 

Aarhus is just a two-hour flight from the UK and can be a good alternative to some of Europe’s more popular cities.

The study was conducted by the Institute for Quality of Life and ranked Aarhus highest after considering factors such as mobility, green spaces, and education. 

Cities like Zurich, Berlin, and Gothenburg also made the top five, but Aarhus claimed the number one spot. 

The index praised the city’s mix of urban convenience and access to nature, including beaches and forests nearby.

Aarhus offers a range of attractions without the usual crowds seen in places like Copenhagen. 

The city has also been praised for prioritising sustainability and green living, with pedestrian-friendly streets and initiatives promoting cycling.

While tourism in Aarhus is growing, the city still manages to keep a more local feel compared to other European destinations. 

Unlike in some overcrowded places, Aarhus’s tourism industry has yet to significantly disrupt the everyday life of the locals. 

As a result, visitors can expect to have a more authentic experience. In terms of getting there, a direct flight from London to Aarhus takes about two hours. 

Ryanair offers the only direct flights from London Stansted to Aarhus, with return fares starting at around £35. 

There is a direct bus from the airport to Aarhus city centre, which costs around £14 and takes 50 minutes.

Alternatively, visitors can fly into Billund, which is slightly further away, and take a bus from there. The journey lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.