A new study has found Paris was the happiest place for British holidaymakers this summer, with the Eiffel Tower-headed city recording the highest score on a bespoke "Happiness Index" of top destinations visited by Brits in summer 2025.
Travel experts at Attraction-Tickets.com compiled the Top 20 happiest holiday destinations using a six-point index that combined UK online sentiment, traveller satisfaction and destination popularity. Each destination was scored out of 30 using factors such as average online rating, estimated sunshine hours during summer 2025 and the number of online reviews containing words like "perfect" and "magic."
Paris led the ranking with a score of 27.65, a result the study said was driven by overwhelmingly positive review sentiment and strong online search popularity. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida finished a close second on 27.55, while Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando tied for third and fourth with scores of 27.5.
Florida accounted for three places in the top 10, underscoring the US state's continued appeal for theme-park holidays, according to the report. Discovery Cove in Orlando placed sixth with 26.75, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London was seventh, also scoring 26.75.
UK destinations made up nearly half of the Top 20, with nine entries. Peppa Pig World ranked ninth with a score of 26.6, ahead of some larger international attractions including Disneyland Paris. Center Parcs Longleat Forest was among the top 10 despite frequent criticism about cost, while Legoland Windsor, Butlin's resorts at Skegness and Bognor Regis and the Natural History Museum in London also featured in the list.
Oliver Brendon, travel expert and chief executive of Attraction-Tickets.com, said the index demonstrated that several elements combine to create memorable holidays. "While sunshine plays a role, it's the emotional resonance of places that truly makes them unforgettable," he said. "Destinations like the Eiffel Tower, the Natural History Museum, Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Walt Disney World Resort have that magic formula of excitement and bucket-list appeal."
The report also referenced broader trends in UK travel. Research from Sainsbury's Bank cited by the study showed searches for "slow travel" from UK users rose steadily between April 2023 and March 2024, increasing by about 5.4 percent, suggesting a growing appetite for calmer, experience-led breaks. Separately, Cornwall was highlighted as the most relaxing destination in Europe in a different ranking, topping that list with a score of 47.5 and noted for its coastal scenery.
Attraction-Tickets.com said the Happiness Index offers a snapshot of where British holidaymakers recorded the most positive online sentiment and satisfaction during summer 2025. The organisation did not publish a complete list of all 20 scores alongside the methodology in the released summary, but provided the top positions and several notable standings in its findings.
The study comes as tourism operators and attractions seek to capitalise on post-pandemic travel patterns, balancing headline-grabbing experiences with destinations and products that generate strong online reviews and repeat visits.