A scientific analysis of thousands of Instagram photos has crowned Sitges Beach in Barcelona as the world’s happiest beach, outshining destinations across Europe and beyond. Here’s what makes Sitges the smile capital of the seaside, plus the other beaches that made the global leaderboard for joy.
How the World’s Happiest Beaches Were Chosen
CV Villas, a global luxury villa company, set out to answer the question: which beach brings the most smiles? Their approach was more data-driven than you might expect. They started by listing 103 of the world’s most popular beaches. Then, using AWS Rekognition software, they analyzed over 1,000 Instagram photos tagged at each location, scoring the average “smile score” on faces in each shot. The beach with the highest average—on a scale of 0 to 100—won the title of “World’s Happiest Beach.”
Sitges Beach: Barcelona’s Joyful Seaside Star
Sitges Beach emerged as the undisputed winner, achieving a near-perfect smile score of 98.42 out of 100. Just outside the vibrant city of Barcelona, Sitges is beloved for its soft, smooth sand, warm Mediterranean waters, and a lively promenade lined with cafes and bars. The relaxed, inclusive vibe attracts everyone from local families to international travelers, making it a favorite for those seeking both fun and relaxation.
“Sitges Beach in Barcelona, Spain, is crowned the world’s happiest beach, with a near-perfect happiness score,” the CV Villas report notes. One TripAdvisor reviewer calls out the “nice sand and peaceful sea area,” thanks in part to the protective sea walls.
Other European Beaches That Made the List
Spain isn’t the only nation spreading happiness by the sea. Mallorca’s Port de Soller ranked third (96.95), set against the dramatic Tramuntana mountains and famous for its panoramic views and vibrant energy. The Iberian Peninsula dominated the rankings, with four beaches in neighboring Portugal securing top-20 spots, including Praia da Falésia (97.24) and Praia Dona Ana (94.31), both loved for their turquoise waters and golden cliffs.
Wales made a strong showing with Rhossili Bay and Caswell Bay taking fourth and fifth place. Greece contributed five beaches to the top rankings, including Crete’s photogenic Elafonisi Beach, celebrated for its ombre pink sands and crystal-clear shallows.
Top Non-European Happy Beaches
While Europe claimed most of the top spots, there were a few happy outliers. Cannon Beach in Oregon (No. 16) and Siesta Key Beach in Florida (No. 21) proved that North American beaches can also deliver big smiles, even if they didn’t top the list.
Smile Score Standouts: The Top 10 Happiest Beaches in the World
- Sitges Beach, Barcelona, Spain – 98.42
- Praia da Falésia, Portugal – 97.24
- Port de Soller, Mallorca, Spain – 96.95
- Rhossili Bay, Wales – high ranking
- Caswell Bay, Wales – high ranking
- Praia Dona Ana, Portugal – 94.31
- Elafonisi Beach, Crete, Greece – 93.34
- Ai Helis, Kefalonia, Greece – 92.25
Why Sitges—and the Iberian Peninsula—Makes People Happiest
Locals and travelers agree that it’s a mix of easygoing atmosphere, welcoming community, and a setting that feels both beautiful and accessible. Sitges is known for its open-minded culture, festivals, and arts scene—factors that keep the smiles coming, rain or shine. Add in smooth sand, peaceful sea areas thanks to gentle sea walls, and the sunny climate, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors leave feeling lighter and happier.
Planning Your Next Happy Beach Escape
If you want to maximize your seaside joy, Sitges Beach in Barcelona is the global benchmark. But the broader rankings show that Spain, Portugal, Wales, and Greece are packed with beaches that excel at delivering happiness. Wherever your next beach day takes you, the data is clear: smiles are the best souvenir you can bring home.
