Denmark’s capital city is a wellness wonderland.

At just 69 square miles, Copenhagen, Denmark, is a small city. (New York City, for reference, is a whopping 469 square miles.) And yet, the capital offers an impressive amount of food, sights, and activities, from an amusement park in the center of the city to endless bike lanes and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. 

But this Danish city isn’t just a design-forward destination with mouth-watering cinnamon and cardamom buns (although it is definitely that); it’s also a great place to visit if you’re someone who prioritizes wellness and lives an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Here’s why you should add Copenhagen to the top of your travel list this year.

Everyone rides a bike.

While Copenhagen has a clean and efficient metro system and is very walkable, it’s best known for being bike-friendly. “There is a reason why the Danes are consistently voted some of the happiest people in the world — Copenhagen is a very livable, active, beautiful, clean city,” says Annie Fitzsimmons, the editorial director at luxury travel company Indagare (an Equinox Circle partner). “Commuting by bike is not something people just talk about; the entire city is built for bikers, and almost everyone has a bike.

As a visitor, you can rent a bike, and some hotels even provide them. “You can easily hop on a bike and explore yourself — it’s the best way to get around, though it’s also very walkable,” Fitzsimmons says. “So even if you’re biking from bun to bun, you’re still getting exercise into your day.”  

Hotels prioritize sustainability.

Copenhagen prides itself on its environmental and sustainability efforts. The water in its harbor, which was once heavily polluted, is now so clean that it’s safe for swimming. 

As a tourist, Copenhagen’s efforts to preserve the environment are most obvious when you visit its hotels. “Like other European cities, hotels here tend to use glass water bottles, larger, refillable shampoo bottles, fewer towels, and rooms that require a key to be in for electricity to work,” explains Trey Ross, an editorial assistant at Indagare. 

While Coco Hotel and Villa Copenhagen are both excellent eco-friendly options, if you’re looking for a hotel that focuses on wellness, Fitzsimmons recommends Nimb Hotel. “Nimb Hotel has yoga mats in every room, and guests here have complimentary access to Tivoli Gardens, making for a great morning run,” she says.

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Eating healthy is easy.

You’ll have no trouble eating healthfully in Denmark’s capital. “I would recommend Bistro Lupa for any traveler, as it’s in a great neighborhood 15 minutes from the center and super cozy. It also happens to be vegan,” Fitzsimmons says. At other restaurants, “there are also many healthy options when it comes to smørrebrød, the Scandi specialty of open-faced sandwiches on dark rye bread, [including] some of the more traditional choices such as herring or smoked salmon.”

Some of Fitzsimmons’ favorite places to get smørrebrød include Palægade, a more upscale lunch spot, and Torvehallerne, Copenhagen’s famous food hall that’s perfect for a more casual option.

Other healthy eateries worth checking out include Geranium, Neighbourhood, Ché Fè, and DØP, which specializes in organic hot dogs.

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The sights are spectacular.

While the sights aren’t exactly wellness-focused, there are so many of them to see that you’re guaranteed to get a lot of exercise hopping from one to the next. “Round Tower is well worth a visit for its 360-degree view of Copenhagen from the top,” Fitzsimmons says. “Instead of stairs, it's a sloping cobblestoned ramp almost all the way up, with a few stairs at the end.”

Rosenborg Castle is another favorite of Fitzsimmons’. “Rosenborg Castle is where the Danish Crown Jewels are housed under ground-level,” she says. “But the interiors are jaw-dropping, with beautiful surrounding gardens. It takes about an hour max to visit both.”

Other destinations worth visiting include Tivoli Gardens (the amusement park in the center of the city), Illums Bolighus for shopping, the Danish Design Museum, the holiday markets if you’re visiting around Christmas, and the canals if the weather is nice. For access to most of Copenhagen’s sights and its public transportation system, visitors can purchase the Copenhagen Card. 

When you have only a few days for a health-minded vacation, Copenhagen is an excellent place to visit. Once you arrive, you’ll quickly understand why the city has been voted one of the happiest in the world for years.

Through Equinox Circle, Equinox members have insider access to Indagare’s curated journeys, a 30-day complimentary trial of Self Planner membership, and $100 off annual subscription, plus access to VIP benefits including upgrades, complimentary breakfast, spa credit, and more.