This Indian city is among the world’s happiest in 2026, and it’s not Mumbai or Delhi

Your city may be a dream destination for party lovers, known for unforgettable food, buzzing nightlife or postcard-perfect landmarks that fill up your camera roll. But beyond all that, does living there actually make people happy?

That is the question Time Out sought to answer through its World’s Happiest Cities 2026 ranking. For its annual global survey, nearly 24,000 residents were asked to look beyond food and nightlife and rate their cities on everyday experiences. They were also asked about their sense of community, how easy it is to find love, and, most importantly, whether living in their city makes them happy.

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Their responses have now shaped the list of the world's happiest cities for 2026, and one Indian heritage city has secured a place in the top 10.

Where heritage meets happiness

Known for its royal past, vibrant food culture and iconic landmarks, this city has long been among North India’s favourite weekend escapes. It’s Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, which has claimed the sixth spot in Time Out’s World’s Happiest Cities 2026 ranking.

Jaipur has always had a charm that is hard to ignore. Anyone who has spent time in the Pink City knows it strikes a rare balance between tradition and modern life.

There are leafy parks, neighbourhoods that are pleasant to walk through, and a pace of life that feels busy without being exhausting. At the same time, the city retains a relaxed rhythm. A day in Jaipur can begin with a visit to a centuries-old palace, continue with shopping in colourful bazaars, and end over plates of pyaaz kachori, laal maas or even pasta, if that's what you prefer.

Perhaps that is why this royal city manages to appeal to almost everyone.

How cities were ranked

To prepare the 2026 rankings, researchers asked residents to respond to a series of statements about life in their city. They were asked whether their city makes them happy, whether they feel happier there than in other places they have lived or visited, whether people around them seem positive, whether they find joy in everyday experiences, and whether the overall sense of happiness in their city has improved significantly in recent years.

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The final rankings were based on the proportion of positive responses, with only the highest-ranked city from each country making it to the global top 20. Bath in the United Kingdom topped this year’s list, followed by Panama City in Panama, Guadalajara in Mexico, Medellín in Colombia, and Kraków in Poland.