Cities were ranked based on “thousands of indicators” that were consolidated into five main categories: citizens, governance, environment, economy, and mobility. Each category was assessed in terms of residents’ quality of life and sense of happiness. A score was assigned to each category, and these scores were combined to determine an overall score.
The Happy City Index explained their process on their website (https://happy-city-index.com/), stating: “Since every city is a dynamic landscape, their activities must be periodically verified, particularly regarding the quality of public services and local knowledge, in response to new challenges. We conduct these assessments daily and publish our findings annually.”
The annual report identified Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, as the happiest city in the world. Zurich, Switzerland, secured the second spot, while Berlin, Germany’s capital, came in third.
Bristol was the only UK city to make the top 10, ranking seventh.
What can you do in Bristol?
Situated along the River Avon, this English city is renowned for its vibrant creative scene.
Aardman Animations, the creators of Wallace and Gromit, are based in Bristol. Their beloved characters can be found throughout the city, including at a unique Wallace and Gromit-themed escape room.
The escape room, named A Grand Way Out, opened in 2022 and takes its name from their first film, A Grand Day Out. Participants help Wallace save the village science fete by helping him recall the code to his workshop.
Another unique attraction in Bristol is AirHop Bristol, reputedly the world’s largest trampoline park. It boasts over 140 interconnected trampolines spread across the floor and walls of the Main Court area. Additional attractions include an obstacle course, battle beams, and a large air bag.
In Bristol, visitors can also experience Wake the Tiger, touted as the world’s first “amazement” attraction. This immersive experience transports guests to the fictional world of Meridia. Featuring 27 distinctive art installations, Wake the Tiger includes elements like strobe lighting, hidden portals, interactive doorways, and rooms with moving parts.
Customers can explore various themed spaces during their visit, such as the dream factory, the submarine room, and the elder forest.
Bristol offers numerous well-known attractions, including the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and Brunel’s SS Great Britain, a historic museum ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
For dining options in Bristol, the city boasts a vibrant culinary scene with a plethora of restaurants and pubs. One hidden gem, The Hideaway, located near Sea Mills on Shirehampton Road, was recognized as one of the top pubs globally by TripAdvisor, receiving a Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. Known for its traditional fare such as steak, fish and chips, burgers, and crispy calamari, The Hideaway offers a delightful dining experience.
Additionally, Bristol was acclaimed as the best city in the UK for enjoying a roast dinner by Idealo last year.
Among Bristol’s 135 roasters, Caper and Cure stands out for its competitive pricing and diverse menu offerings. According to Idealo, Caper and Cure received a high customer satisfaction score of 4.9, the highest in their study. They offer a roast dinner at an average price of £16, making it one of the more affordable options, along with a variety that includes two meat choices and a vegetarian option.
Bristol’s pubs are renowned for more than just their roast dinners. For example, The Bag of Nails is affectionately known as the “cat pub” due to its 14 resident felines.
Scheduled to open to the public in April, Goldney Grotto is an 18th-century garden grotto in Bristol and is recognized as one of Britain’s finest examples of its kind.
GalaBingo acknowledged Bristol as the UK’s kindest city, citing the high number of charitable acts performed by its residents annually.
On the other hand, Hull, often overlooked in northern England, boasts the country’s most affordable beers and has been highlighted as a top travel destination for 2024.
Cardiff has been designated as Wales’ premier city and is praised for its notably friendly populace.