Lisbon ranked as the world's happiest holiday destination

Lisbon has been named the world’s “happiest” holiday destination according to the Holiday Happiness Index by BookRetreats.com, in collaboration with Time Out and clinical psychologist Dr. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan. The study evaluated 47 global destinations based on five scientific parameters linked to well-being: sunshine, sleep quality, healthy nutrition, time spent in nature, and walkability.

Lisbon secured the top position due to several key factors. The city boasts approximately 2,828 hours of sunshine annually and offers significant green space, with 49 square meters per inhabitant—nearly four times the amount found in Madrid. Additionally, nearly 10% of Lisbon’s restaurants are classified as “healthy,” the second-highest percentage among the surveyed locations, surpassing culinary hubs like Paris, Tokyo, and New York.

Despite its hilly terrain, the city is noted for its walkability, with major landmarks such as Praça do Comércio and the Belém Tower located within walking distance of one another. The index also highlighted the city’s easy access to coastal areas like Costa da Caparica and Cascais.