World’s happiest country is just 3 hours from UK with £17 flights | Travel News | Travel
This country is the happiest in the world and its just three hours from the UK (Image: Getty Images)
The world’s happiest country has been revealed, and it’s just three hours from the UK with £17 flights.
For the ninth consecutive year, Finland, with its diverse landscapes and high quality of life, has been named the happiest country of 2026. The Nordic country took the crown in the World Happiness Report 2026, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
The results were unveiled following a survey of around 100,000 people in 140 countries, with Finland highlighted for freedom to make life choices, social support, and life expectancy. Other factors believed to contribute to Finland’s fulfilling lifestyle include its low crime rates, clean environment, and work-life balance, not to mention its breathtaking natural beauty.
Finland has thousands lakes and forests that cover more than 70% of the country (Image: Getty Images)
The Nordic country is characterised by thousands of pristine lakes with crystal-clear waters and enchanting forests that cover more than 70 per cent of the country. The diverse landscapes are truly magnificent and undoubtedly enhance the quality of life for Finns, offering ample opportunities for outdoor activities and well-being.
And it’s not just those living in the country who can experience its wonders. Finland has become a popular holiday destination for those looking to witness the dancing northern lights, hike through its spectacular terrain, or experience its incredible saunas, with more than 3 million dotted across the country.
While many know Finland for its magical Lapland winter wonderland, which is hugely popular during the Christmas period, it’s certainly a year-round destination across its four regions. From lakes escapes, to forest getaways and coastal stays.
The city of Helsinki is a beautiful place to explore (Image: Getty Images)
The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is an ideal place to start for a walkable city break, with contemporary art galleries, iconic saunas, bustling restaurants and incredible Nordic architecture. Thanks to the city’s location on a peninsula surrounded by islands, it has easy access to some of the best nature spots in the country, from forests to islands and beaches.
Direct flights to Helsinki in April start from just £17 one-way, according to Skyscanner. While you’ll need to wrap up with temperatures reaching around 8C in spring, its breathtaking scenery is enough to warrant a visit, with hundreds of walking trails among its tranquil picture-postcard landscapes.
Plus, with an incredibly big sauna culture, you’ll never be far from a warming bath at the end of a day exploring. One of the most popular spots in Helsinki is Löyly, a scenic waterfront sauna and restaurant, in a contemporary Nordic structure with coastal views.
Other notable places to visit in Finland include Rovaniemi, known as the Lapland favourite, and Tampere, which offers another chic city break. There’s also the city of Kuopio for those looking to escape to the serene lakes, and Turku, renowned for its medieval castle and restaurants along its riverside.
Tampere offers another city break in Finland (Image: Getty Images)
Aside from Finland, other Nordic countries, including Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, also ranked among the world’s happiest countries. Meanwhile, Costa Rica, with its tropical climate, rainforests and beaches, came in fourth place, with European destinations dominating the list.
Top 10 happiest countries in the world 2026
- Finland
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Costa Rica
- Sweden
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
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