Lisbon has been ranked the world’s leading holiday destination for wellbeing in the latest Holiday Happiness Index, produced by BookRetreats in collaboration with clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School instructor Dr Natalie Dattilo-Ryan.
The index analysed 47 destinations worldwide, assessing five factors associated with wellbeing during holidays: sunlight, quality of sleep, healthy diet, time in nature and physical exercise. Each factor was given equal weight.
Lisbon stands out with 2,828 hours of sunshine a year, 49 square metres of green space per person and almost 10% of restaurants classified as healthy, the second-highest proportion among the destinations analysed. The study also highlights the city’s walkability and its proximity to natural areas, including the beaches of Costa da Caparica and Cascais.
Helsinki ranked second, supported by its extensive green spaces and its score for sleep quality, while Orlando came third, particularly due to its large amount of green space. Athens and Edinburgh completed the top five.
The index combines environmental and lifestyle indicators that the study associates with wellbeing and the potential for a positive holiday experience.
