According to a 2024 United Nations report, Finland is the happiest country on Earth, having hit the top spot in for a seventh year in a row. And we fully expect it to be right up there again in 2025, alongside the likes of Iceland, Norway and Sweden, which all regularly make the top ten. And, why wouldn't they be? When you take into account all those sparkling lakes, snow-dusted forests, design-savvy cities and wonderfully inventive hotels you’ve got a winning combination that could raise a smile anywhere.
The report itself was based on a number of determining factors – economic strength, social support, life expectancy, freedom of choice, generosity and perceived corruption – with Finland scoring an impressive 7.6 out of 10. What’s more, it’s Nordic cousins weren’t far behind, with Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden all scoring a place in the latest top ten.
The top ten happiest countries on Earth:
But what about the UK? With a 2023 ranking of 19th, we’ve clearly got some work to do. Our solution? Increase your happiness with a holiday to Scandinavia and the Nordics. Below are some of our top recommendations, or why not call our specialists today for some happy holiday inspiration?
Achieve the perfect balance of adventure and experience on this action-packed winter break to Swedish Lapland. With a night in one of the ICEHOTEL's freshly carved Ice Rooms, and two more in warm accommodation, you’ll be perfectly placed to sample a full range of winter activities and discover age-old Nordic traditions in one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful regions.
Capture Iceland’s iconic landscape on an adventure-packed luxury short break. Experience the country’s leading sights in serious style, soak in a private lagoon at the legendary Blue Lagoon, tour the iconic sites on the Golden Circle and South Coast in your own 4WD and add a range of tailored adventures, or just simply sink into a thermal spring in the most extraordinary surrounds.
Explore Finnish Lapland’s spectacular winter wilderness as you discover new and exciting ways to explore the snowbound landscapes high above the Arctic Circle. Kicking things off at a Scandi-chic hideaway, you’ll have the chance to try all manner of winter activities before heading across to Levi's famous glass igloos for a night under the stars and, with luck, the magnificent Northern Lights.
Discover the unspoilt natural beauty of Finnish Lapland with a stay at one of its most iconic hotels. You'll begin at a snug retreat in the town of Rovaniemi before swapping urban life of the designer delights of Arctic TreeHouse Hotel. With regular and spectacular displays of the Northern Lights, and a forested landscape blanketed by snow in winter, it's the perfect introduction to life inside the Arctic Circle.
It’s fair to say that Sweden has something of a reputation for high-design. And, it doesn’t get much higher than the iconic Treehotel – a collection of art-installation treehouses, hidden in the forest canopy near the Arctic town of Harads. On this winter itinerary, you’ll enjoy two memorable nights in the treetops, and a day of optional activities before swapping over to the stunning Arctic Bath for a spot of spa relaxation and the best in seasonal dining.
Leave the kids at home as you experience the very best of a Lapland winter on a luxury escape to Wilderness Hotel Nangu – a chic, adults-only retreat on the frozen shores of Lake Inari. During your stay, you can expect the very best in regional food, Lappish hospitality and, of course, wilderness adventure, as you savour Arctic-inspired full-board dining alongside a host of included activities.
Fly out to far-flung Svalbard at the height of summer where you'll enjoy five days of high Arctic adventure, taking in spectacular fjords and glaciers bathed in the Midnight Sun, perhaps even catching a glimpse of a passing polar bear. There's also the chance to unravel the region's human intrigue with a day at a remote Russian mining town, where you’ll enjoy lunch at the local brewery.
This spectacular summer holiday to Norway’s fjords makes for an exceptional self-drive adventure. From Alesund’s pretty peninsula setting set out on a road trip deep into Norway’s western fjords. You’ll be able to take in some of the world’s great natural wonders from some of Norway’s most exciting routes, descending to Geirangerfjord via the switchbacks of the Eagle Road.
