Traveling makes us happy, that much we can all agree on.
But there are some places that boost our dopamine levels a little more than others.
Whether that’s down to how safe they feel, how sunny they are, or how much of a bargain they are to visit – all these things can improve our happiness on a trip.
And the good people at SuperCasinoSites seem to agree: they just created a new report, which rated 100 different destinations around the world to see which are the ones that make travelers feel happiest.
Each destination was given an aggregate score based on hours of sunshine, air quality index, safety, and cost of living, to give an overall view on how good they will make you feel.
The top 7 from this ranking certainly have us smiling when we think about visiting them – time to take a closer look:
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Easily one of my own personal favorites, the city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is an instant pleaser.
Based in a beautiful and lush valley surrounded by majestic mountains that seem to change color throughout the day with the changing light, Chiang Mai offers a slower pace than many other Thai destinations.
The city is a maze of some of Thailand’s most impressive ancient temples and is also a great place to sample Thai food of all kinds, from simple street food to fancy, hipster restaurants.
Antalya, Turkey
Turkey is fast becoming one of the most visited places in Europe, and the Mediterranean harbor town of Antalya is one of the jewels in its crown.
The ancient streets here are full of history from empires such as the Romans and the Ottomans, while the dramatic cliffs and sparkling blue seas offer impressive vistas – it’s not nicknamed the Turquoise Coast for nothing.
This city is a great launchpad to visit some of the best beaches in Turkey along this coastline.
Granada, Spain
Based in Spain’s popular and varied Andalusia region, Granada lies in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and boasts some of the most iconic sights in this area.
The impressive Alhambra is one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in this part of Spain and is a sight to behold both day and night.
Unlike many other parts of Andalusia, Granada does get fairly cold in the winter, but that means you can enjoy some of the lesser-known slopes surrounding the city for winter sports.
Lisbon, Portugal
The Portuguese capital is the perfect place to put a smile on your face and experience everything good this country has to offer.
From sampling custard pastries and other delicacies in the Time Out food market to riding the vintage trams up and down the sleep city slopes, Lisbon gives good vibes in abundance.
For art, culture, and nightlife lovers, check out the Barrio Alto district of the city, which is always lively and ever-changing.
Malaga, Spain
A treasure on Spain’s southern coast, Malaga has a rich history of art – it was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and has several museums dedicated to his life and works.
Away from its many museums and historic monuments, such as its Roman Theatre, Malaga is a cosmopolitan city with a packed calendar of festivals throughout the year.
Easter is one of the best times to visit, with many celebrations taking place and slightly smaller crowds than the height of summer.
Porto, Portugal
Another city on this list with a very arty atmosphere (it’s almost as if culture makes us happy), Porto, is cool with a capital C.
There’s art of all kinds on every corner in this city – sometimes quite literally, thanks to some fantastic local street artists – so it’s definitely one for those who love to immerse themselves in culture.
And what could make you happy after a day of great Portuguese art, poetry, and song? A glass of rich port in the city it was invented, of course.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
A favorite among digital nomads, being in Playa del Carmen for any length of time can definitely make you happy.
Nestled in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean coast, this beach town is affordable, exciting, and close to some of Mexico’s most iconic sights such as Chichen Itza and Tulum.
The town will also soon be even easier to visit thanks to the opening of a new airport in Tulum and a new train network in the Yucatan Peninsula.
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