Lisbon Tops Global Holiday Happiness Index as World's Most Joyful Destination

BookRetreats released its Holiday Happiness Index, which surveyed 47 global destinations on five wellbeing criteria: sunlight, healthy food, sleep quality, exercise opportunities and access to nature. Lisbon secured the top spot, driven by its 2,828 annual sunshine hours, affordable healthy dining options, and 49 m² of green space per resident—almost four times Madrid’s level. The city’s compact, walkable streets and nearby beaches at Cascais and Costa da Caparica further boosted its score.

Harvard-linked clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo-Ryan supervised the assessment, noting the link between these factors and happiness-related hormones. Helsinki placed second, while Orlando rounded out the top three. António Valle of the Lisbon Tourism Association said the ranking validates the city’s strategy of offering diverse, distinctive experiences.