The Healthy Vacation Index

Are you considering a vacation that not only relaxes but also rejuvenates? From destinations rich in sunshine and clean air to cities abounding in parks, hiking trails, and sports complexes, a healthy vacation can provide the perfect setting to unwind and revitalize.

At Healthnews, we recognize the value of a vacation that leaves you healthier than when you arrived. That's why we've developed a comprehensive index to help you find the ideal destination for your next health-conscious getaway.

Whether you're an overworked executive or a dedicated professional, our guide aims to kickstart a healthier lifestyle that lasts well beyond your trip.

Methodology

To create the Healthy Vacation Index, we systematically gathered data on 20 relevant metrics across 42 sought-after vacation destinations. A full list of these metrics and their respective sources is provided below.

Each metric was numerically ranked in ascending or descending order based on its impact on the index. For instance, a lower cost is considered more favorable, whereas a higher number of sunshine hours is perceived as better. To synthesize these rankings into a composite score, we applied weighted averages to each metric, reflecting its relative importance to the overall index.

The summation of these weighted scores yielded the final Healthy Vacation Index, providing a robust measure of each country's suitability as a healthy vacation destination.

Results: top 10 destinations for a healthy vacation

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Barcelona, Spain
4. Seoul, South Korea
5. Toronto, Canada
6. Istanbul, Turkey
7. Rome, Italy
8. London, United Kingdom
9. Milan, Italy
10. Lisbon, Portugal

City	Whole grains intake (g/day)	Seafood omega-3 fatty acids intake (mg/day)	Nuts and seeds intake (g/day)	Fiber intake (g/day)	Water (1.5 liter bottle) price, $	Apples (1kg) price, $	# of sunshine hours per year	Air pollution score	Water quality score	% Obesity	Life expectancy (both sexes)	Number of crimes per 100K	CO2 emissions per capita (tons)	% of non-smokers	UV Radiation score	Fruit consumption (kg/year) per capita	Vegetable consumption (kg/year) per capita	# of parks	# of hiking trails	# of sports complexes
Amsterdam	89.8	138	6	18.99	0.8	2	1,662	49	100	15.05	82.58	26.2	9.54	78.7	1662	168.42	169.82	28	1	20
Vienna	69.3	150	3	18.45	0.82	2.72	2,048	34	100	18.81	82.57	27.6	8.44	74.5	1888	127.39	165.81	39	4	19
Barcelona	10.3	540	3.1	19.21	0.83	2.18	2,591	25	94.8	19.39	84.05	35.8	5.42	71.6	2705	116.81	107.8	76	4	12
Seoul	14.6	561	2.9	17.58	1.12	6.72	2,066	57	84.6	8.82	84.14	25.3	11.77	74	2535	54.59	234.97	81	6	26
Toronto	57.4	81	9.3	17.1	1.82	3.96	2,066.40	20	90.9	28.16	83.02	42.6	18.72	76.7	1887	130.13	126.15	88	15	13
Istanbul	5.4	358	13.8	23.41	0.41	1.21	2,218	7	47	26.22	78.68	40.2	4.54	77.5	2924	139.38	248.53	64	7	8
Rome	9.8	233	1.4	18.58	0.4	2.22	2,473	32	97.8	17.97	84.2	47.3	5.96	77.3	2444	128.42	136.33	63	3	31
London	75.9	263	3.7	13.26	1.65	3.17	1,633	72	100	26.94	82.31	46.9	5.6	69.4	1576	107.8	170.11	174	5	47
Milan	9.8	233	1.4	18.58	0.59	2.43	1,915	23	97.8	17.97	84.2	47.3	5.96	77.3	2444	128.42	136.33	55	2	15
Lisbon	72.9	512	1.8	20.45	0.82	2.32	2,806	31	85.7	21.97	82.42	30.7	4.85	69.5	2585	161.54	117.03	19	0	14
Tokyo	7.6	619	1.9	14.96	0.86	5.3	1,876.70	29	91.8	7.63	84.95	22.9	9.76	70.8	2521	43.75	114.78	539	1	97
Berlin	135.3	199	3	22.04	0.97	2.85	1,626	54	98.6	23.08	82.18	38	9.42	78.7	1812	102.31	200.98	56	0	34
Copenhagen	76.4	956	2.6	18.39	1.54	3.02	1,912	18	95.8	15.7	82.03	26.6	6.66	83.9	1691	119.17	171.28	16	1	8
Athens	47.4	194	5.2	21.56	0.93	1.89	2,773	20	100	30.06	82	46.5	6.31	67.2	2753	128.54	156.56	10	0	3
Dubai	36.1	91	11.5	19.9	0.64	2.26	3,508.70	29	51.7	29.02	80.46	14.6	24.33	79.3	4862	117.54	151.84	16	0	24
Osaka	7.6	619	1.9	14.96	0.75	3.38	2152	45	91.8	7.63	84.95	22.9	9.76	70.8	2521	43.75	114.78	83	1	19
Prague	13.3	92	3	23.18	0.71	1.67	1,668	45	65.2	30.72	79.82	26.8	10.62	73.2	1707	93.26	127.92	42	2	26
Sydney	71.2	235	2.5	21.22	1.65	3.22	2,468.10	10	81.2	32.05	83.73	46.7	17.15	77.8	3206	87.45	163.23	56	12	14
Paris	29.1	336	1.7	16.88	0.99	3.33	1,662	26	93.8	10.18	83.35	54.6	5.18	65.5	1907	126.32	120.2	170	2	19
Munich	135.3	199	3	22.04	0.92	2.91	1862	33	98.6	23.08	82.18	38	9.42	78.7	1812	102.31	200.98	16	1	8
Stockholm	82.9	356	1.5	16.77	1.38	3.07	1,803	32	97.9	17.18	83.65	48.1	4.49	71.1	1587	105.49	175.21	26	4	8
Frankfurt	135.3	199	3	22.04	0.82	2.83	1,662	30	98.6	23.08	82.18	38	9.42	78.7	1812	102.31	200.98	14	0	7
Kyoto	7.6	619	1.9	14.96	0.83	4.49	2,011	43	91.8	7.63	84.95	22.9	9.76	70.8	2521	43.75	114.78	31	5	15
Madrid	10.3	186	3.1	19.21	0.94	2.42	2,769	66	94.8	19.39	84.05	35.8	5.42	72.5	2705	116.81	107.8	35	2	15
Rhodes	47.4	194	5.2	21.56	1.16	1.58	2,773	53	100	30.06	82	46.5	6.31	68.5	2753	128.54	156.56	2	0	1
Edinburgh	75.9	263	3.7	13.26	1.56	2.78	1,427	28	100	26.94	82.31	46.9	5.6	69.4	1576	107.8	170.11	11	2	8
Zurich	74.6	186	4.2	19.43	1.52	3.81	1,566	52	100	15.07	84.38	24.9	4.74	77.2	2158	124.79	158.13	14	0	4
Nice	29.1	336	1.7	16.88	0.87	2.78	2,760.50	25	93.8	10.18	83.35	54.6	5.18	66.4	1907	126.32	120.2	12	2	2
Melbourne	71.2	235	2.5	21.22	1.35	2.98	2,362.60	60	81.2	32.05	83.73	46.7	17.15	77.8	3206	87.45	163.23	72	7	7
Brussels	13.3	240	1.7	18.48	1.2	2.68	1,546	74	93	19.79	82.46	48.9	8.37	69.4	1645	124.7	237.93	36	1	4
Singapore	8.1	41	1.9	19.47	1.32	4.18	2,022.40	31	88.9	16.09	84.27	23.1	8.47	79.1	3979	86.91	100.02	80	22	21
Dublin	69.2	89	1.1	15.1	1.72	2.82	1,453	58	100	30.7	82.88	46.1	8.29	63.5	1509	112.95	185.39	34	2	6
Beijing	13.1	35	2.7	10.34	0.5	2.09	2,670.80	76	58.4	8.94	78.79	60.8	7.44	75.4	2908	109.19	399.03	87	3	5
Las Vegas	47.8	123	3.7	15.82	2.07	5.01	3,825.30	28	89.3	41.64	79.74	49.2	15.32	81.1	2736	181.78	126.47	17	25	12
San Francisco	47.8	123	3.7	15.82	2.3	6.82	3,061.70	16	89.3	41.64	79.74	49.2	15.32	80.1	2736	181.78	126.47	57	12	4
Los Angeles	47.8	123	3.7	15.82	2.22	5.55	3,254.20	39	89.3	41.64	79.74	49.2	15.32	80.7	2736	181.78	126.47	48	13	9
Shanghai	13.1	35	2.7	10.34	0.57	2.23	1,775.80	53	58.4	8.94	78.79	60.8	7.44	75.4	2908	109.19	399.03	90	1	10
Bangkok	50.9	708	27.9	11.18	0.43	3	2,623.80	107	42.7	12.1	79.91	40.04	3.84	81.5	4862	71.83	40.06	30	0	16
New York	47.8	123	3.7	15.82	2.41	6.84	2,534.70	40	89.3	41.64	79.74	49.2	15.32	80.7	2736	181.78	126.47	95	2	14
Honolulu	47.8	123	3.7	15.82	2.67	6.22	3,035.90	29	89.3	41.64	79.74	49.2	15.32	80.5	2736	181.78	126.47	24	25	2
Guangzhou	13.1	35	2.7	10.34	0.6	1.98	1,628	68	58.4	8.94	78.79	60.8	7.44	75.4	2908	109.19	399.03	49	2	6
Miami	47.8	123	3.7	15.82	2.07	5.69	3,154	31	89.3	41.64	79.74	49.2	15.32	80.1	2736	181.78	126.47	38	1	7

What is the best destination for a healthy vacation?

Amsterdam, Netherlands, excels as a top destination for health-conscious travelers, offering a well-rounded approach to wellness. The city boasts a high intake of whole grains at 89.8 grams per day and a moderate seafood omega-3 fatty acid intake of 138 mg/day, supporting cardiovascular and cognitive health. Amsterdam's perfect water quality score of 100 and low air pollution index of 49 contribute to its pristine environment.

Residents enjoy affordable health essentials with water at $0.8 per 1.5-liter bottle and apples at $2 per kilogram. The city's health statistics are impressive, with a high life expectancy of 82.58 years and a low obesity rate of 15.05%.

Amsterdam promotes an active lifestyle through its 28 parks, has a low crime rate of 26.2 incidents per 100,000 people, and maintains sustainability with CO2 emissions at 9.54 tons per capita, making it a prime location for those prioritizing health and safety.

2. Vienna, Austria

Vienna matches Amsterdam with its pristine water quality and enhances its profile with additional environmental benefits. The city boasts low UV radiation and minimal CO2 emissions at 8.44 tons per capita, creating a clean and hazard-free atmosphere. It also offers a substantial intake of seafood omega-3 fatty acids at 150 mg/day, contributing to cardiovascular and mental health.

With 39 parks and a robust air quality score, Vienna supports active lifestyles and respiratory health. The city’s high life expectancy of 82.57 years and a modest obesity rate of 18.81% reflect its overall health-oriented environment.

3. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona enjoys 2,591 hours of sunshine annually, promoting vitamin D synthesis. The cost of essentials like a 1.5-liter bottle of water and 1 kg of apples is also relatively low, priced at $0.83 and $2.18 respectively, making healthy options accessible.

Barcelona's moderate air pollution score of 25 fosters a healthier living environment, complemented by 76 parks and 4 hiking trails. The local life expectancy is impressive at 84.05 years.

4. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul excels in urban wellness with 81 parks enhancing active lifestyles. It also has one of the highest seafood omega-3 intakes at 561 mg/day, contributing to heart and brain health.

The city's impressive number of sports complexes (26) and hiking trails (6) promote physical activity, while its relatively low CO2 emissions per capita (11.77 tons) and high non-smoker percentage (74%) underline its commitment to clean living.

5. Toronto, Canada

Toronto is recognized for its high nut and seed intake, with 9.3 grams per day supporting a nutritious diet. It stands out with 88 parks and a substantial number of sports facilities (13), promoting active and sustainable lifestyles.

Toronto's low air pollution score (20) and high yearly fruit consumption at 130.13 kg per capita illustrate the city's effective green policies and focus on nutritional health.

6. Istanbul, Turkey

Looking for a more budget-friendly option? Istanbul provides a unique blend of cultural richness with cost-effective health-focused amenities.

It boasts the highest nut consumption at 13.8 grams/day. The city offers a high number of parks (64) and hiking trails (7), encouraging an active lifestyle. Its low water cost of $0.41 per 1.5-liter bottle makes hydration widely accessible, supporting overall health in a budget-friendly manner.

7. Rome, Italy

This destination excels with 63 parks, providing numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Rome's high vegetable consumption at 136.33 kg/year per capita reflects its dedication to a healthful diet. Just make sure you don't overeat all that delicious pizza and pasta!

8. London, United Kingdom

London is noted for its superior water quality and affordable fruit options, with a yearly fruit consumption rate of 170.11 kg per capita. The city also promotes an active lifestyle through 174 parks and extensive fitness facilities, alongside low CO2 emissions and low UV radiation rates.

9. Milan, Italy

As a global fashion capital, Milan also emphasizes wellness. It has clean water, low air pollution, and low obesity rates. Milan also boasts 55 parks, aiding in the integration of physical fitness into daily life.

10. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is celebrated for its laid-back atmosphere and ample sunshine (2,806 hours annually), enhancing vitamin D synthesis and promoting a stress-free lifestyle.

The city also stands out with a high intake of whole grains, at 72.9 g/day, and seafood omega-3s, at 512 mg/day, which support heart and brain health. With 161.54 kg of fruit consumed per capita per year, it's clearly committed to healthy eating.

An overview of the evaluation criteria

The Healthy Vacation Index is built on four foundational pillars that capture the most significant aspects of wellness. Here's a closer look at these pillars and why each metric matters.

Environmental and outdoor activity factors

Health standards

Economic and lifestyle metrics

Nutritional and dietary preferences

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