The World's Happiest City for Tourists: Top 10 Destinations

Lisbon was named the happiest tourist destination among 47 cities in BookRetreats’ Holiday Happiness Index. The Portuguese capital outranked Helsinki, Orlando, and Athens thanks to its combination of a sunny climate, green spaces, and opportunities for healthy eating and walking. The authors compared conditions that promote well-being during a vacation. Nine European cities made it into the top ten.

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How were the happiest cities for tourists determined?

The BookRetreats platform developed a ranking of the happiest cities for travel in collaboration with clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Forty-seven popular tourist destinations were selected for comparison. Each was evaluated based on five factors that the authors associate with well-being:

- Sunlight: number of hours of sunshine per year

- Sleep conditions: urban environmental factors that affect rest, particularly noise

- Healthy eating: the proportion of restaurants classified as healthy-eating establishments

- Access to nature: the city’s availability of green spaces

- Walking: the ease of getting between tourist attractions on foot

All criteria were given equal weight. Based on these criteria, an overall score on a 100-point scale was calculated for each city.

It’s important to understand the results correctly: the world’s happiest city for tourists was determined based on conditions for relaxation, not on a survey of satisfied travelers. The index helps compare vacation destinations but does not measure each visitor’s personal sense of happiness.

In our previous article, we discussed Skyscanner’s ranking of the top 10 cities in the world for walking.

Why did Lisbon top the ranking of the happiest cities?

A vacation in Lisbon combines city walks with the chance to spend time by the ocean. According to the index’s authors, the Portuguese capital receives an average of 2,828 hours of sunshine per year. There are about 49 m² of green space per resident—nearly four times more than in Madrid. These figures helped the city claim the top spot.

Another advantage is the selection of dining options. Nearly 10% of Lisbon’s restaurants were classified in the study as offering healthy food. This is the second-highest proportion among all cities in the ranking, higher than in Paris, Tokyo, and New York. However, this classification applies to the restaurants’ offerings and does not guarantee the nutritional value of every dish on the menu.

For those planning a trip to Lisbon, the city offers many walking routes. Historic neighborhoods, squares, and observation decks allow you to explore the capital without constantly hopping from one place to another. However, the famous hills mean steep climbs and stairs: comfortable shoes will definitely come in handy here.

You can round out your city break with a trip to the beaches of Costa da Caparica or Cascais. They’re located outside the capital, so they require separate itinerary planning. It’s precisely this combination of sunshine, greenery, walks, and access to the coast that has made Lisbon a standout in this ranking.

Learn more about the world’s best culinary tours by following the link.

Top 10 Happiest Cities in the World for Travel

Nine out of the ten spots in the ranking of the happiest cities for tourists are European destinations. Below is the full top ten and a brief description of what makes each city an interesting vacation destination.

1. Lisbon, Portugal. The top-ranked city combines a sunny climate, historic neighborhoods, and proximity to the ocean coast. Strolls here take you through squares and observation decks, and a city tour can be complemented by a trip to Cascais or the beaches of Costa da Caparica.

2. Helsinki, Finland. The city received the highest rating for sleep conditions thanks to low levels of noise and light pollution. There are approximately 126 m² of green space per person here, and the capital scored 19 out of 20 points for the convenience of its walking routes.

3. Orlando, USA. The only city outside Europe in the top ten stands out for more than just its amusement parks. According to the study, it has the most green space among the participants: 258 m² per person. The city also receives approximately 2,930 hours of sunshine per year.

4. Athens, Greece. The Greek capital scored a perfect 20 points for the ease of walking between popular attractions. Its high ranking was bolstered by sunny weather and a significant proportion of restaurants offering healthy food. At the same time, Athens lags behind other leaders in terms of the amount of urban green space.

5. Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The capital of Scotland was the highest-rated British destination. Its strengths include parks, accommodations, and walking routes. There are approximately 78 m² of green space per person, making it easy to combine exploring historic architecture with walks in nature.

6. Madrid, Spain. The Spanish capital allows visitors to combine visits to art museums with relaxation in Retiro Park. It covers 125 hectares and is home to over 15,000 trees. Together with the Paseo del Prado, the park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Vienna, Austria. In Vienna, green spaces complement palaces and historic architecture. The Schönbrunn and Belvedere Gardens offer long walking routes, while the parks along the Ringstrasse provide a place to rest while exploring the city center. Among them is the Volksgarten, known for its rose garden.

8. Budapest, Hungary. A city getaway here can be centered around thermal baths, historic landmarks, and walks along the Danube. Margit Island, with its green avenues, is a special spot for leisurely relaxation. It also features an open-air theater that enriches your walks with cultural performances.

9. Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian capital combines city waterfronts, parks, and access to the fjord. Its islands can be reached by ferry from the city center. For walks, there are routes along the water and forest trails, and the Ekeberg Sculpture Park offers views of the city and the bay.

10. Vilnius, Lithuania. The Lithuanian capital rounds out the top ten, offering walks through the historic center and nearby green spaces. Bernardine Garden is located between Gediminas Hill, the Vilnia River, and the monastery. It features waterfront paths, fountains, and botanical displays, and the city’s oldest oak tree is about 400 years old.

This list helps you choose a city for your vacation based on your own priorities: sunny weather, proximity to water, green routes, or the opportunity to explore sights on foot.

In our previous article, we wrote about the best travel destinations for 2027, according to Lonely Planet’s rankings.

What to see in Lisbon and the surrounding area?

When planning a trip to Lisbon, it’s worth setting aside time for leisurely walks without a tight schedule. It’s best to explore the historic neighborhoods on separate walks and save a trip to the ocean for another day. That way, the hills, distances, and travel time won’t turn your exploration of the city into a marathon.

If you’re deciding what to see in Lisbon, you can start with these places:

- Alfama. An ancient neighborhood with narrow streets, stairways, and houses on the hillsides. It’s fun to explore the small squares and alleys here, gradually making your way up to the lookout points.

- Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol. Two neighboring lookout points offering views of the rooftops of Alfama and the Tagus River. It’s convenient to include them in a single walk through the neighborhood.

- São Jorge Castle. Another stop on the route through the hills of the historic center. You can continue the climb there after exploring Alfama, allowing time for a rest.

For a separate trip to the coast, Cascais is a good option; trains run there from Cais do Sodré station. This offers a chance to swap city streets for seaside views and walks along the water. Another option is Costa da Caparica, known for its long sandy beaches. It’s located on the opposite bank of the Tagus River from the center of Lisbon, so you’ll need to plan this route separately.

For a first visit, you can set aside two days for the city and one more for the coast. This is a rough itinerary that’s easy to adapt: spend more time at museums, on walks, or at the beach, depending on the weather and your interests.

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We remind you! Every year, tourism experts choose places that deserve the title of modern “wonders of the world” not for their big names, but for their real experiences, unique nature, and cultural value. The 2026 list includes little-known national parks, ancient cities, and remote islands where tourism has not yet spoiled the atmosphere. Read more about the seven destinations you should add to your travel plans now.