The world's 'best' city to live less than 2 hours from UK with £15 flights

The world’s most liveable city has officially been crowned, and while you may have to venture abroad to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the world’s best cities, luckily enough for people in the UK, you can get there in less than two hours, and it can cost you as little as £15. After spending the last few years at the top spot of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) prestigious Global Liveability Index, Vienna has finally been dethroned, with the title instead heading north to Scandinavia.

With an incredible score of 98 out of 100, it is in fact Copenhagen that has taken the crown in this year's results, pushing its way to the top of many people’s travel lists. The study is an incredibly detailed look at the daily quality of life for people in cities around the world, measuring everything from stability, education and infrastructure to healthcare. The Danish capital did particularly well in many of the categories, scooping full marks for the first three above.

In short, it’s a city that works – clean, safe, easy to get around and bursting with opportunities that find themselves at the top of the list.

For Brits looking for a slice of the Scandi life, you can hop on a plane from London and be landing in the country of happiness in just an hour and 45 minutes, with a Ryanair flight setting you back just £15 - less than a round of drinks.

Although the capital is undoubtedly on the expensive side, with even Londoners shocked at the price of a pint, wages are generally much higher, making it actually more affordable than the Big Smoke, according to the Mercer index.

For anyone who’s strolled along the endlessly photographed waterfront, cycled by its colourful houses or grabbed a coffee and a Danish in one of its countless cosy cafés, this news won’t come as a shock.

Copenhagen has built its reputation on clever design, sustainable living and that Scandinavian knack for making life both stylish and simple.

The city is famed for its bike-friendly streets, immaculate transport system, and green spaces that give residents and visitors a sense of calm and cleanness that you’ll be hard-pressed to find in London, Paris or Rome.

Danes also benefit from world-class schools and education, a top-notch healthcare system, and crime rates are enviably low.

Add to that a thriving cultural scene. Copenhagen has become known as one of the food capitals of the world, home to many Michelin-star restaurants and the “world’s best restaurant”, Noma, which revolutionised the way we eat.

Bad news for Brits, while Copenhagen climbs to the top, the UK’s fortunes look far less rosy. London has plunged down the rankings to 54th place, with analysts pointing to infrastructure strains, cost of living pressures and concerns around stability. For Brits dreaming of a better quality of life, the contrast couldn’t be more stark.

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1. Copenhagen, Denmark

2. Vienna, Austria (tie)

2. Zurich, Switzerland (tie)

4. Melbourne, Australia

5. Geneva, Switzerland

6. Sydney, Australia

7. Osaka, Japan (tie)

7. Auckland, New Zealand (tie)

9. Adelaide, Australia

10. Vancouver, Canada