TORONTO — If you’re looking for a boost of happiness, Disneyland may no longer be the first place to find it.
According to a recent study by BookRetreats, the iconic theme park – long known as “the Happiest Place on Earth” – has been usurped by an unexpected contender: Lisbon, Portugal.
Topping the list of “The World’s Happiest Holiday Destinations,” the Portuguese capital scored high across several feel-good factors. Its food was a particular standout, with nearly 10% of restaurants identified as “healthy,” putting it ahead of culinary giants like Paris, Tokyo and New York.
Lisbon also ranked well for walkability. For example, the 90-minute stroll from Praça do Comércio, the city’s main square, to Belém Tower highlights how compact and navigable it is. And while not as leafy as Helsinki, the second-ranked destination on the list, Lisbon still offers 49 m² of green space per person – nearly four times more than Madrid. For a quick escape to nature, travellers can head to Costa da Caparica’s surf or Cascais’ golden beaches, both just an hour away by train.
And then there’s Lisbon’s greatest mood-booster: sunshine. With 2,828 hours of it each year, it’s little wonder the city tops the happiness charts.
Steve Born, chief marketing officer for the Globus family of brands, tells Travelweek that Portugal continues to be among the best-selling destinations for Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways, with increased bookings contributing to the double-digit growth the company has seen since 2019.
“The momentum is real and we expect it to carry well into 2026,” he says. On Lisbon’s appeal, he adds: “The city has a rare mix of history, culture and joy, with a layered charm that includes centuries-old neighbourhoods, tiled facades, and a vibrant food, wine and music scene. It’s an easy launch point to explore more of Portugal on tour or cruise the Douro with Avalon. That combination of accessibility, authenticity and vibrancy is exactly what travellers are looking for.”
Melissa DaSilva, Chief Sales Officer and Deputy CEO at TTC Tour Brands, is also seeing a similar upward trend, telling Travelweek that overall bookings to Portugal are up 7% year over year. Trafalgar’s ‘Best of Portugal’ itinerary – up 16% – continues to be the most popular among the company’s brands, reflecting a strong desire for in-depth exploration not just of the country, but Lisbon, too.
“As one of Western Europe’s oldest cities, Lisbon’s heritage is visible everywhere, from the Moorish alleys of Alfama to the iconic Belém Tower and the Baixa district, which was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake,” says DaSilva. “Lisbon is also a culinary destination, renowned for bustling food markets and Michelin-starred restaurants. With its old-world charm and modern creativity, Lisbon is a destination where travellers can experience both authenticity and intimacy that’s hard to find in other European capitals.”
Rounding out BookRetreats’ top five of “The World’s Happiest Holiday Destinations” are Helsinki, Finland; Orlando, USA; Athens, Greece; and Edinburgh, Scotland. The study, done in collaboration with Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist and holistic happiness expert Dr. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, analyzed 47 global cities across five factors (Sunlight, Quality Sleep, Healthy Diet, Time in Nature, Physical Exercise), contributing to a total possible score of 100.
To view the full list, click here.
