Lisbon named world's happiest travel destination
Looking for other happy places to visit other than Disneyland? You might want to check out Lisbon—the happiest travel destination on Earth.
Based on a study by the booking platform Bookretreats, Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, topped this year's "World’s Happiest Holiday Destinations" after outshining other places across multiple feel-good factors, especially for its food scene.
Nearly 10% of its restaurants are rated as healthy, giving it the second-highest percentage in the global rankings. This figure places Lisbon ahead of world-famous food destinations like Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Despite being renowned for its traditional seafood and tascas (eateries), healthy options in the city are now considered both accessible and affordable.
Lisbon’s walkability is another factor that lifts the city’s mood. Its compact layout makes it easier for tourists and locals to explore the place on foot and visit its iconic hills like Bairro Alto and Alfama. Other spots are also accessible by train.
It's also an ideal place to unwind for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. According to the company, Lisbon's urban area is nearly four times larger than Madrid's. Some activities to do here are short hikes and surfing in Costa da Caparica.
"Add 2,828 hours of annual sunshine, and it’s easy to see the city’s mood-boosting appeal," it added.
Other places that made it to the list are Helsinki, Finland; Orlando, USA; Athens, Greece; and Edinburgh, Scotland.
The company collaborated with a Harvard psychologist and holistic happiness expert, Dr. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan. It evaluated 47 destinations across five key “feel-good” factors, namely sunlight, quality sleep, healthy diet, time in nature, and physical exercise.
It referenced a 2024 UK survey where 73% of travelers said their top reason for going on a vacation is to relax, while 50% travel for their mental health and well-being.
“When we talk about feeling good, we’re really talking about the release of happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin,” says Dattilo-Ryan.
“These chemicals influence everything from mood and sleep to energy and digestion. And many of the things that trigger them, like sunlight, movement, food, and quality rest, are often part of a good holiday, if you choose the right destination.”
