For travellers who measure a holiday by its effect on their mood, Lisbon has emerged as the clear winner. The Portuguese capital has been named the happiest destination on Earth in the Holiday Happiness Index, compiled by the wellness travel platform BookRetreats. The ranking assessed 47 cities worldwide, weighing factors that are known to boost wellbeing: sunlight exposure, walkability, access to green space, healthy food options, and sleep quality.
The study was guided by Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, a clinical psychologist affiliated with Harvard University and a specialist in holistic happiness. According to the report, these five elements are not just pleasant extras but are scientifically linked to the natural production of happiness-related hormones in the body.
Why Lisbon wins
Lisbon's appeal rests on a combination of urban convenience and natural assets. The city's food scene stands out: nearly 10% of its restaurants are classified as healthy, the second-highest share in the index, placing it ahead of global culinary capitals like Paris, Tokyo, and New York. The report notes that eating well in Lisbon is both affordable and accessible, from fresh seafood to traditional taverns.
Walkability is another key factor. Despite its famously hilly terrain, the city is compact and easy to explore on foot, with panoramic viewpoints rewarding those who take a slower pace. Green spaces are abundant—Lisbon offers 49 square metres of green space per resident, almost four times more than Madrid—and the Atlantic coast is within easy reach, with beaches like Cascais and Costa da Caparica less than an hour away by public transport.
Sunlight, of course, is the backdrop to all of this. The Portuguese capital enjoys 2,828 hours of sunshine a year, a figure that the study says helps explain the city's mood-lifting power. As the report puts it, “It is easy to understand the city's power to lift our mood.”
António Valle, Director-General of the Lisbon Tourism Association, welcomed the recognition. “Lisbon is different from all other destinations, and that is exactly what the Lisbon Tourism Association values in its strategy,” he said. “The ability to offer different ways of experiencing and discovering Lisbon, while preserving what sets the destination apart and creates value for those who visit and those who live here.”
Europe dominates the top ten
Lisbon is followed by Helsinki, the capital of the country consistently ranked as the happiest in the world. The Finnish city is praised for its integration of nature into urban life, with around 126 square metres of green space per person—more than twice the Austrian average and over 50 times the proportion in Hong Kong. The report also highlights Helsinki's “safe streets, efficient transport and a culture based on trust,” which create an environment where visitors can truly switch off.
In third place is Orlando, Florida, the only non-European city in the top ten. Known for its theme parks, Orlando also scores high on green spaces, lakes, and 2,930 hours of sunshine a year. From fourth place onwards, the list is entirely European: Athens, Edinburgh, Madrid, Vienna, Budapest, Oslo, and Vilnius round out the top ten.
The findings reflect a broader trend in travel preferences, where wellbeing is becoming as important as sightseeing. For those planning a European getaway, the index offers a clear signal: the continent's cities are not just cultural treasures but also sanctuaries for mental and physical health. As the travel industry evolves, destinations like Lisbon are setting a benchmark for what a truly restorative holiday can look like.
