Science says these travel destinations can improve your mood

Amanda Teague

January 30, 2025 at 3:09 p.m.·2 min read

Are you feeling the winter blues? A new study suggests that certain destinations can actually boost your happiness.

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours teamed up with Dr. Gurpreet Kaur to identify the top “dopamine destinations,” which are places scientifically linked to improving mood. The ranking is based on five key factors: sunshine, cuisine, step count, air quality, and green spaces, all of which contribute to higher dopamine levels and an overall sense of well-being.

Split, Croatia

With a perfect dopamine score of 100, Split, Croatia, tops the list of mood-boosting destinations. The city enjoys 2,631 daylight hours annually, offering plenty of sunshine to lift spirits. Marjan Park, a huge 79-square-kilometer nature reserve, enhances air quality and provides scenic trails, providing an even larger dopamine boost.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam houses and canal — Javier M. / Unsplash

Amsterdam ranks second with a dopamine score of 98/100. Known for its canals and bicycles, it’s also one of Europe’s greenest cities, with trees reportedly outnumbering residents. For food lovers, Amsterdam shines with an impressive average restaurant rating of 4.6/5 and 23 Michelin-starred eateries, making it a true mood booster.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia, ranks third with a dopamine score of 95/100. The city excels in air quality, thanks to its abundance of parks and green spaces, earning the European Green Capital Award for 2023. Tallinn also delights with its Baltic-inspired cuisine, boasting an impressive 4.6/5 average restaurant rating.

The top dopamine destinations: The full list

Split, Croatia
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tallinn, Estonia
New Orleans, Louisiana
Lisbon, Portugal
Cadiz Bay, Spain
Malaga, Spain
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Vancouver, Canada
Oslo, Norway
New York, United States
Boston, United States
Valencia, Spain
Singapore
Bergen, Norway
Seattle, United States
Quebec, Canada
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

The post Science says these travel destinations can improve your mood appeared first on The Manual.

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Science says these travel destinations can improve your mood

Split, Croatia

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tallinn, Estonia

The top dopamine destinations: The full list

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