It’s hard not to be happy when you’re at the beach. After all, they say saltwater heals, and that seems to be true in more ways than one, including boosting one’s mood by reducing stress and even increasing happiness due to the negative ions in the fresh sea air. But researchers decided to take this aspect a step further by analyzing the world’s beaches to determine which are the happiest.
Travel experts at CV Villas used AWS facial recognition technology to discover which beaches make visitors smile the most, analyzing thousands of Instagram photos captured at more than 100 beaches across the globe. After calculating an average score out of 100, the researchers created an overall Beach Happiness Score for each one. Sitges Beach, only about 40 minutes from Barcelona, Spain, came out on top as the World’s Happiest Beach, scoring just under 100 at 98.42.
Why Sitges?
Sitges Beach was noted for its beautiful view, framed by the Tramuntana Mountains and the Mediterranean, along with its abundant sunshine (300+ days a year), smooth sands, welcoming atmosphere, and lively promenade. It’s about a 25-minute walk along the picturesque promenade from the beach to the town, with many beach bars to enjoy along the way. Plus, your time in Sitges can easily be combined with a visit to one of Spain’s most popular cities.
But Sitges wasn’t the only “happy” beach in Spain on the list.
Port de Soller, Mallorca & Cala Pregonda, Menorca
The island of Mallorca is home to another one of the world’s happiest beaches. Port de Soller offers a long sandy beach that spans the width of its port. It’s edged by crystal-clear blue waters that are typically calm and ideal for families with children who want to swim while surrounded by mountainous landscapes providing breathtaking views. Along the promenade, you’ll find many bars and restaurants serving the fresh catch of the day that can be enjoyed alongside refreshing sangria.
Cala Pregonda on Menorca, known for its more tranquil atmosphere, also made the list. This uncrowded stretch is tucked into a secluded cove with dramatic rock formations, while boasting unique red-gold sands that are stunningly contrasted by clear turquoise waters offering outstanding snorkeling opportunities.
Happy Small Beach Towns in the U.S.
Coincidentally, we recently revealed America’s happiest small beach towns, so if you’re looking for something to smile about in the U.S., you’ll also want to check out our ranking to find out which came out on top.
