The world’s happy place

No matter your age, everyone has a happy place, where stress melts away, everything feels right and there’s an overwhelming sense of peace. But where is the world's collective happy place?  

We wanted to find out, so we looked at over one million online travel reviews, analysing how often visitors described tourist venues with language expressing genuine happiness in 155 destinations across the world. We then combined the results into a 'Happy Place’ Score out of 100, revealing the places where people feel the most joy of all.  

Whether your happy place is already on the list or you’re looking for a new place to explore, the only thing left to sort before you go is your travel insurance.  

The world’s top 20 happiest destinations

*Rankings are based on full values; figures shown are rounded for clarity.

1. Tulum, Mexico

‍'Happy Place’ Score: 100/100

‍Tulum, a beach town on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula around 130km south of Cancun, takes the top spot where people say they feel the happiest of all. The coastal town is known for its well-preserved Mayan ruins, as it was one of the last cities inhabited by the Mayan people. Alongside its ruins, and access to nature, it’s Tulum's food, nightlife and wellness scenes that draw visitors from all around the world.

2. Soufrière, Saint Lucia

‍‍'Happy Place' Score: 95.2/100

‍Soufrière, a small town on Saint Lucia’s southwest coast, places second with 95.2 out of 100. It sits in the shadow of the Pitons, two volcanic peaks that rise sharply from the Caribbean Sea and are among the most recognisable sights in the region. Visitors can hike between them, swim in the warm waters below, or simply soak in the island's natural volcanic hot springs nearby. Few places pack this much into such a small stretch of coastline.

3. Oaxaca, Mexico

‍‍'Happy Place' Score: 88.0/100

‍Oaxaca places third, a city in southern Mexico that draws visitors for its food, markets and its deep indigenous culture. The Mercado Benito Juárez, a fresh food market, sits at the centre of daily life, selling everything from tlayudas (Mexican pizza) and mole negro (a rich sauce) to chapulines (toasted grasshoppers that locals eat by the handful). Beyond the market, the city's well-preserved colonial centre and its role as the heartland of Día de los Muertos celebrations give it a cultural weight that stays with people long after they leave.

4. Las Vegas, United States

‍'Happy Place' Score: 88.0/100

‍Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, secures fourth place, scoring 88 points out of a possible 100, and is engineered for peak moments. From weddings to milestone birthdays, people often arrive in Las Vegas already in celebration mode, with the restaurants and shows doing the rest.

5. Maui, United States‍

‍'Happy Place' Score: 84.6/100

‍Maui’s laid-back island life helps cement its reputation for happiness, with locals embracing a slower pace of living. Visitors can snorkel with wildlife, hike through Haleakalā National Park or drive the 103km road to Hāna through rainforest and past black sand beaches.

6. New York City, United States

‍'Happy Place' Score: 81.5/100

‍Placing sixth is New York City, a destination that sits near the top of many people’s bucket lists, and which certainly delivers. Broadway alone, host to some of the world’s best shows, draws millions of visitors, while walking the Brooklyn Bridge or climbing the Empire State Building is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face. The city that never sleeps has an enigmatic pull that keeps people coming back.

7. Cappadocia, Turkey

‍'Happy Place' Score: 77.5/100

‍Cappadocia, Turkey, also known as the world’s hot air balloon capital, follows next. Dozens of balloons rise each morning across the valley, drifting above rock formations known as ‘fairy chimneys’. Some of the most spectacular views are at sunrise, when the light turns the landscape shades of pink, orange and red.

8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

'Happy Place’ Score: 75.2/100

‍Rio de Janeiro is bursting with colour and culture, making it the perfect destination for tourists who love good food, music and scenic nature. It’s home to one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world, the Christ the Redeemer statue, as well as breathtaking beaches like Copacabana beach, a 4km stretch of sand with the Sugarloaf Mountain as the backdrop. We previously found it’s also one of the world’s most colourful cities, so it really is the perfect place to experience the rich Brazilian culture.

9. Chicago, United States ‍

'Happy Place' Score: 74.0/100

Chicago ranks ninth, a city that thoroughly rewards visitors who look beyond its skyline. The food scene alone, from deep-dish pizza to Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches, gives visitors plenty to return for. Meanwhile its music heritage, rooted in blues and jazz, adds another layer that tends to leave a strong impression on first-time visitors.

10. Toronto, Canada

‍‍'Happy Place' Score: 71.4/100

‍Toronto completes the top ten and is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Visitors can experience a wide array of cuisines, just stroll through Chinatown or Koreatown for some authentic Asian food, or stop off in Little Italy for fresh pasta and delicious coffee. For scenic views of Canada’s largest city, the CN Tower, which stands over 553 metres tall, is a great place to start.

Europe’s happy place

We also looked at which places in Europe are most associated with being happy. Good news for Irish travellers: several of the happiest destinations in Europe are within just a few hours’ flight.

Positano, Italy, in first place, is roughly three hours from Dublin and Funchal, Portugal, which is increasingly popular among Irish holidaymakers, can be reached in just under four hours.

Europe’s top 10 happiest destinations  

*Rankings are based on full values; figures shown are rounded for clarity.

1. Positano, Italy‍

‍'Happy Place' Score: 100/100

‍The Amalfi Coast attracts millions of visitors each year, and Positano is the village where most discover unadulterated happiness of all. Spiaggia Grande is a must-visit, a pebbly beach located at the foot of the town and bordered by the iconic pastel buildings that climb up the cliff. Interestingly, there are no cars on the main roads, so make sure to pack your walking shoes and prepare to hit your step count.

2. Santorini, Greece

‍‍'Happy Place' Score: 77.1/100‍

Santorini places second, known for its whitewashed buildings, crystal-clear water and dramatic volcanic caldera scenery. The cliffside village of Oia draws large crowds, as many visitors claim it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world to watch the sunset. The Castle of Oia in particular is a popular choice to soak up the panoramic views of the caldera and Aegean Sea.

3. Kotor, Montenegro

‍'Happy Place’ Score: 67.9/100

‍Montenegro has been growing in popularity as a destination for people looking to escape Europe’s crowds. This UNESCO-listed town is nestled between mountains and the Bay of Kotor and draws visitors with its medieval charm. Visitors can explore the labyrinth-like Old Town, stopping off at the famous St Tryphon’s Cathedral, which dates back to 1166, or climb the city walls to experience the views of the limestone cliffs above the bay.

4. Florence, Italy

‍'Happy Place' Score: 67.1/100

‍Florence, ranks in fourth place and offers up one of the most famous sights in Europe in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the largest churches in the world reaching 153 metres in length. Tuscany’s capital offers beautiful Renaissance architecture and top-tier cuisine and wine, so it’s easy to see why people keep coming back.

5. London, United Kingdom

‍‍'Happy Place' Score: 64.8/100

‍Rounding out the top five is London, United Kingdom, with a 'Happy Place' Score of 64.8. The proximity to Ireland makes it a popular destination among Irish holidaymakers, and few cities match its energy. With plentiful options for every type of traveller, whether it’s a Premier League match, a West End show or a free exhibition at one of London’s world-class museums, you’re bound to find something to smile about.

Whether you’re heading back to your own happy place or want to explore some of the world’s, make sure you’re protected with annual travel insurance, so you can focus on your trip with peace of mind.

Methodology

To find the world’s collective happy place, we analysed over one million reviews across tourist venues, such as attractions, venues, national parks, scenic spots and resorts, in 155 destinations popular with travellers.

We looked at how often travellers used language expressing happiness and joy, such as “this place made me so happy” or “I felt genuine happiness here”. Each destination was then given a 'Happiness Score' based on the share of these happy reviews relative to its total reviews.

Scores were converted to a scale of 0 to 100 to allow for easy comparison across destinations, with the highest-scoring destination set to 100 and all others scaled relative to it.  

All data correct as of June 2026.