After I left Amsterdam, I traveled to the beautiful, and quite similar, city of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. This Scandinavian city located in between the Danish mainland of Jutland and Sweden is surrounded by the sea on three sides, giving Copenhagen some of the most splendid waterside views next to the many canals, harbors, wharfs, and rivers found throughout the city.
Copenhagen has become one of my favorite cities in Europe. I enjoy its relaxed atmosphere, its abundance of picturesque sights, and its friendly people. Denmark has often been ranked the happiest country in the world, and I can see why. In addition to having a beautiful capital city, the Danes take time to enjoy life, often lounging with friends next to the waterfront, having drinks together at a cozy bar, or cruising on yachts and sailboats. When I studied abroad in Hong Kong in the summer of 2016 (right before my freshman year of college), many of the students I met there were Danish, and I learned that Danes travel quite often and are encouraged to do so with lots of vacation days and financial sponsorship for university students. This societal emphasis on enjoying life makes the typical Dane a happy and amiable individual.
The Danish lifestyle also contributes to the well-being of its citizens. American-style fast food is rare here, and people often eat healthy meals sourced from the surrounding countryside and the sea. Travel by bicycle is common and this form of exercise helps people maintain good health. Moreover, sports are a popular pastime, and I would regularly see people swimming in the smaller rivers, kayaking downstream, playing water polo, or playing volleyball in the park, etc.
The streets and roads of Copenhagen are clean and well-maintained, the air is fresh, and the rivers and canals are clear blue. Denmark is simply a salubrious place to be, and I was glad that I put Copenhagen on my list of destinations.
I arrived in Copenhagen in the afternoon after my flight from Amsterdam. Because my hotel was in the center of the city, near Nyhavn, the first thing I did after checking into my hotel was explore the surrounding area. The Nyhavn waterfront was the first place I visited. With its many boats and yachts, numerous restaurants, and beautiful buildings, Nyhavn is one of the most popular public areas in Copenhagen and a major tourist attraction.