The key facts

  • CV Villas assessed nearly 100 destinations based on the 'Power 9' principles from Dan Buettner's Blue Zone research, assigning a longevity score out of 100.
  • Valletta (Malta) took first place, Paxos (Greece) second, Saint-Tropez (France) third, and Eger (Hungary) fourth.
  • Europe officially has two 'blue zones': Ikaria in Greece and Sardinia in Italy.

Longevity destination ranking

CV Villas, a company specialising in holiday villas, has compiled a ranking of the best European destinations for those who want to lead a 'longevity' lifestyle. Nearly 100 destinations were assessed according to several principles from Dan Buettner's 'Power 9' research on 'blue zones', with a longevity score out of 100 assigned. Factors included walkability (by elevation range), pace of life (average annual number of working hours), the number of vegan restaurants and wineries per capita, and community — measured by the number of cafés and churches per capita.

Blue zones context

Two 'blue zones' — regions with a high number of centenarians — are officially designated in Europe: Ikaria in Greece and Sardinia in Italy. According to the publication, longevity is attributed not to fashionable remedies such as peptides or red light therapy, but to basic habits: walking a lot, eating simply, and having a strong sense of community. CV Villas marketing manager Hannah Marshall noted that although Europe has only two officially designated Blue Zones, the company's many years of expertise show that many other places on the continent have a similar way of life.

Ranking leaders

First place went to Valletta, the capital of Malta — thanks to its walkability and sociable dining spots, where, as described, there is 'exactly that everyday movement and balanced rhythm that support a longevity lifestyle'. Second place went to Paxos in Greece, noted for its close-knit, unhurried community structure and unspoilt nature. Third place went to Saint-Tropez in France, and fourth to an unexpected destination: Eger in Hungary. This historic city is convenient for walking, and the local moderate dining culture — residents gathering for dinner with the famous red wine 'Bull's Blood' — is considered a factor in long life.

Top 20 destinations

The top 20 included: Valletta (Malta), Paxos (Greece), Saint-Tropez (France), Eger (Hungary), Mdina (Malta), Ibiza (Spain), Taormina (Italy), Lefkada (Greece), Budva (Montenegro), Dingle (Ireland), Nessebar (Bulgaria), Bad Ischl (Austria), Piran (Slovenia), Ålesund (Norway), St Julian's (Malta), Gozo (Malta), Ksamil (Albania), Levoča (Slovakia), Bordeaux (France) and Novi Sad (Serbia). Four of the twenty destinations are located in Malta, including first place.