World’s ‘happiest holiday destination’ is just two hours from the UK

The pretty Portuguese city of Lisbon has claimed the top spot in the Holiday Happiness Index by bookretreats.com, claiming the title of the world’s happiest holiday destination

The happiest holiday destination in the world is a cheap two-hour flight from the UK.

The pretty Portuguese city of Lisbon has claimed the top spot in the Holiday Happiness Index, claiming the title of the world’s happiest holiday destination. Analysis shows that the vibrant Portuguese capital excels across multiple feel-good factors, with its food scene standing out in particular.

Nearly 10% of Lisbon’s restaurants are considered healthy, the second-highest share in our index, outperforming global gastronomy hubs like Paris, Tokyo, and New York. From market-fresh seafood to traditional tascas, eating well here is both accessible and affordable.

Walkability is another of Lisbon’s mood-boosters. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with panoramic viewpoints that reward slow exploration.

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While its famously hilly terrain means some steep climbs, mainly in Bairro Alto and Alfama, proper footwear is all that’s required to enjoy the stroll. Sightseers can also reach the city’s top attractions, from Praça do Comércio to Belém Tower, in just under two hours; proof that in Lisbon, the journey really is part of the joy.

Lisbon’s urban green space may not rival the likes of Helsinki, but it still offers 49 m² of green area per person, nearly four times more than Madrid. Nature is never far away: the surf-friendly shores of Costa da Caparica and the golden sands of Cascais are both within an hour of the city by train.

Add 2,828 hours of annual sunshine, and it’s easy to see the city’s mood-boosting appeal. Getting there also shouldn’t break the bank. Currently, there are tickets available from a number of UK airports for £40 return.

Lisbon topped the list in a study that looked at what destinations make people happy and why. The study was led by Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist and holistic happiness expert, Dr. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan.

According to the study’s commissioners, BookRetreats.com, a place’s “feel-good factor” is now a top priority when choosing where to go. A 2024 UK survey found that 73% of travelers say relaxation is their number one reason for going on vacation, while 50% now take trips to prioritize their mental health and well-being.

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“When we talk about feeling good, we’re really talking about the release of happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin,” Dr Dattilo-Ryan said.

“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.”

The Holiday Happiness Index analyzed 47 destinations for five key feel-good factors shown to naturally boost the body’s happy hormones. They include:

1. Sunlight : Natural light stimulates serotonin production, which helps regulate mood, improve sleep patterns, and promote feelings of calm. It also supports vitamin D synthesis, important for both physical and mental health.
2. Quality sleep : A quiet, dark environment supports deeper, more restorative sleep, helping balance serotonin and dopamine while lowering cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
3. A healthy diet : A healthy gut is key to increasing serotonin and dopamine. Diets high in fresh produce, healthy fats, and fiber support brain health and emotional well-being.
4. Time in nature: Exposure to natural environments boosts serotonin and endorphins, lowers stress, and promotes relaxation. Walking in nature has also been shown to increase well-being by evoking a sense of awe.
5. Physical exercise: Physical activity like walking encourages endorphin release, while helping regulate dopamine and serotonin.

You can check out the full rankings via the Holiday Happiness Index.