By Molly Grace
Copyright euroweeklynews
The Spain Happy Index 2025 has confirmed that the province of Alicante is a national leader in wellbeing and quality of life. The study, which analysed more than 8,000 municipalities across Spain, places Santa Pola (90.62 points), Alicante city (89.99) and Elche (89.40) among the happiest towns in the country.
Alicante, with its 299 days of sunshine per year, mild average temperatures of around 20°C, only 24 rainy days annually, and low wind levels, ranks as the third happiest provincial capital in Spain, trailing only Málaga and Almería. Its coastal location, proximity to Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández International Airport, and wide network of educational and healthcare services further strengthen its top-ranking position.
Santa Pola, boasting 313 sunny days annually and a balanced climate, demonstrates that wellbeing is not exclusive to large cities. Elche stands out for its combination of cultural offerings, exceptional natural environments such as El Hondo and Clot de Galvany, excellent connectivity, average temperatures of 19°C, and low rainfall. Beyond the top three, the province features ten municipalities among Spain’s happiest. Guardamar del Segura (87.55 points), El Campello (87.24), Torrevieja (87.19) and Benidorm (86.87) reinforce the Costa Blanca as a happiness hub, benefiting from its favourable climate, proximity to the sea, and quality essential services.
The report also highlights the Valencian Community as one of the five happiest regions in Spain. In addition to Alicante and Santa Pola, Valencia city scores 85.97 points, with Sagunto (86.68) and Puçol (85.30) also among the top performers. In the province of Castellón, while the capital achieves a more moderate score of 67.39 points, coastal towns such as Xilxes (85.90) and Moncofa (85.36) maintain the Mediterranean arc’s prominence in national happiness rankings.
Nationally, Málaga (91.36 points) and Almería (90.88) top the overall list, while Ibiza (90.86) and several Canary Islands towns appear among the twenty happiest locations. Other urban centres, including Barcelona (86.90), Tarragona (88.70) and Madrid (83.13), show that happiness is not confined to the coast. The Sonneil study evaluates a range of factors, including the number of sunny and rainy days, average annual temperature, wind conditions, quality of healthcare and education services, and proximity to the sea or airports. Alfredo Millá, CEO of Sonneil, said: “The Mediterranean climate, quality of services, closeness to the sea, and a calmer lifestyle place the province of Alicante in a privileged position.”
The results underscore that wellbeing is multidimensional, combining natural, social, and infrastructural elements. Coastal towns, good climate, cultural offerings, and strong community ties all contribute to residents’ perceptions of happiness. For residents of Alicante province, the study validates what many already know: the combination of sun, sea, culture, and services makes daily life not only comfortable but also genuinely enjoyable.
