Priyanka Roshan | October 28, 2025
What makes a city truly happy? It’s not just clean air or strong healthcare — happiness often blooms in small moments: morning coffee chats, laughter in green parks, and shared community pride.
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To find the world’s happiest cities in 2025, Time Out surveyed over 18,000 locals worldwide. Their responses revealed cities where culture, community, and everyday joy create a deep sense of connection and contentment. Based on responses, here are the top 10.
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A shining desert metropolis that’s redefining luxury living with sustainability and inclusivity. From cultural landmarks to pristine beaches, locals say Abu Dhabi balances progress with peace — and that’s pure happiness.
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Once known for its troubled past, Medellín has transformed into a beacon of resilience and joy. With its eternal spring weather, vibrant street art, and friendly locals, it’s proof that happiness can be rebuilt from the ground up.
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Flanked by mountains and sea, Cape Town’s natural beauty fuels its soul. Add a thriving art scene, outdoor lifestyle, and strong sense of community, and you get a city where happiness feels effortless.
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A sensory overload in the best way possible — from colourful streets to irresistible cuisine and music at every corner. Locals say their city’s energy is contagious, and it shows in every smile.
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India’s City of Dreams proves that happiness thrives in chaos. Despite its fast pace and packed trains, Mumbai’s spirit of hope, kindness, and togetherness makes it one of the most emotionally rich cities in the world.
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Steeped in history yet always evolving, Beijing merges ancient tradition with futuristic ambition. Locals find happiness in its parks, tea houses, and the pride of living in a city that never stops reinventing itself.
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Dynamic, dazzling, and endlessly ambitious — Shanghai’s locals say happiness here comes from opportunity, culture, and a vibrant social life that blends East and West seamlessly.
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The Windy City’s lakeside charm, world-class museums, and strong sense of community spirit put it high on the happiness map. Locals love its balance of big-city buzz and Midwest warmth.
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With flamenco rhythms, sun-dappled plazas, and endless tapas, Seville is a celebration of life itself. Locals say their happiness comes from living slowly — and savoring every moment.
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A perennial favourite for livability, Melbourne’s coffee culture, creative energy, and inclusive community make it the feel-good capital of the southern hemisphere.
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