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The world’s most relaxing cities
Which are the world's most relaxing cities? Find out the top 12 cities with our original Holafly research.
If you’re dreaming of fresh air, a slower pace and peaceful surroundings, you’re not alone. More than 60% of US travelers said their top reason for taking a vacation this year is to relax, recharge, and support their mental well-being. In fact, wellness travel is now a $1 trillion industry and growing fast.
Whether it’s a long walk through a park, a relaxing day at a spa, or simply soaking up the sun in a new city, people are prioritizing trips that help them feel better both physically and mentally.
What makes a city relaxing?
Relaxation looks different to everyone, but there are certain features that cities have that can help people unwind. To uncover the world’s most relaxing cities, the Holafly research team analyzed top destinations using several key health and wellbeing metrics. These included access to parks and nature reserves, the number of spa and wellness centers, air quality, average annual sunshine hours, traffic congestion, and happiness – each one linked to physical and emotional well-being.
Key takeaways from our findings
- San Diego tops the list as the most relaxing city to visit, with a relaxation score of 68.7/100
- Barcelona stands out as a top destination for wellness, boasting the highest number of spas and wellness centers (725) among the cities listed
- Helsinki, Finland, leads with the lowest air quality score (12.5), indicating exceptionally clean air
- With an average of 3,054.6 hours of sunlight per year, San Diego enjoys the sunniest climate among the cities listed
- Vienna, Austria, boasts the shortest average traffic time, at just 21.5 minutes.
- Singapore ranks the highest when it comes to happiness, reflecting a good quality of life among its residents
The top cities to unwind
1. San Diego, United States
Topping the list as the world’s most relaxing city, San Diego offers a perfect blend of nature and wellness. Known for its laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, stunning coastline, scenic parks, and year-round sunshine, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Boasting an impressive 266 parks and nature reserves – more than any other city in the list – there’s no shortage of green space to relax and unwind. The city is also home to 359 spas and wellness centers, making it a top destination for those looking to recharge. And with over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, San Diego truly is the ultimate sunny break for a relaxing getaway.
2. Singapore, Singapore
Ranked second in the list of the world’s most relaxing cities, Singapore combines modern city living with a focus on wellness and green space. Despite being a densely populated city, Singapore has made green living a priority, with 242 nature and parks, making it easy to find a quiet place to explore without actually leaving the city. Singapore also boasts 698 spas and wellness centers, along with good air quality and 2,022 hours of sunshine a year, creating a bright and healthy environment. While traffic congestion is moderate with an average time of 40 minutes, the city scores the highest when it comes to overall happiness, reflecting the lifestyle of the people who live there. Singapore is a good example of a modern city that still manages to feel peaceful and green, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing city break.
3. Vienna, Austria
Vienna takes the third spot on the list of the world’s most relaxing cities. With one of the best air quality scores, Vienna offers some of the cleanest air in Europe. Combined with over 2,000 hours of sunlight a year, the city creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Vienna is also home to 91 parks and nature reserves, providing plenty of spots for tourists to unwind, and the city also has 137 spas and wellness centers, offering everything from traditional Austrian saunas to modern wellness retreats. And with minimal traffic congestion, quiet streets and an easy to navigate layout, it’s easy to see why Vienna is a top choice for a relaxing city break.
4. Sydney, Australia
Ranked 4th on the list of the world’s most relaxing cities, Sydney provides the perfect balance between a lively urban atmosphere and peaceful surroundings. Known for its iconic beaches and laid-back lifestyle, the city provides visitors the opportunity to unwind while at the same time staying connected to everything that a buzzing city has to offer. Sydney’s 2,468 hours of sunshine per year make it one of the sunniest cities in the ranking, which of course, can help boost mood and encourage an outdoor lifestyle, and with 239 parks, it’s easy to find a spot to do so. The city is also home to 368 spas and wellness centers so you’ll never be short of finding somewhere to relax.
5. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne takes the 5th place in the global ranking of the most relaxing cities, joining Sydney as the second Australian city in the top five. The city is home to 215 parks and nature
reserves, including the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, which is an ideal spot to unwind. It also has 249 spas and wellness centres, so visitors can easily find time for self-care. Not only that, with over 2,360 hours of sunshine per year, paired with great air quality, it’s ideal for those seeking a relaxing city break.
But it doesn’t stop there. Explore the full list of the world’s most relaxing cities below.
Tips for planning a relaxing city break
City breaks are often associated with endless walking, sightseeing and packed itineraries, but they don’t have to be. If your goal is to unwind and recharge, a city break can be just as peaceful as a trip to a rural retreat. By choosing the right destination, you can still have a relaxing break that allows you to sight-see and soak up the local culture too. So if you’re planning a getaway, here are some helpful tips to make sure your city break is as relaxing and stress free as possible.
1. Embrace a slower pace of travel
It’s tempting to try and see everything in one go, but a packed itinerary can quickly turn your relaxing trip into a stressful one. Instead, focus on a couple of attractions each day and leave time for relaxing activities, like visiting a spa, enjoying a walk or simply doing nothing at all.
2. Avoid peak hours
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience. Planning your visits around these quieter times can turn a hectic sightseeing experience into a calm and enjoyable one.
3. Worry-free connectivity
Advancements in technology mean you can travel around the world without having to worry about the stress of high roaming charges or lack of connectivity. Travel eSIMs let you set up your connection instantly, giving full access to data wherever you are, helping you to relax.
4. Choose your accommodation wisely
Your accommodation can make or break the trip. Consider boutique hotels, wellness resorts, or Airbnbs away from the noisy sounds of the city center. Look for accommodation close to parks, rivers, or quieter neighborhoods and skip the tourist crowds.
5. Choose the right destination
Not all cities are built for relaxation. When planning your break, opt for destinations known for their green spaces, walkability, and laid-back vibe like the cities listed above. These places often strike the perfect balance between culture and relaxation, offering everything from scenic nature and parks to local spas. Look for destinations with clean air, plenty of sunshine, and a friendly reputation.
Make your next trip a relaxing one
Relaxation doesn’t have to mean escaping to the countryside or booking a remote retreat. Whether you’re strolling through Singapore’s parks, soaking up sunshine in San Diego, or enjoying a spa in Vienna, the world’s most relaxing cities offer the perfect mix of culture and relaxation.
Methodology
Using the top 50 city destinations (as listed in the world’s best cities rankings), we searched sources like TripAdvisor and Numbeo to discover the number of parks and nature reserves, spas and wellness centers and traffic pollution in every city. We sourced average annual sunlight hours using both Wikipedia and World Weather & Climate, and each city’s happiness from the 2025 Happy City Index.
Each metric was normalized on a scale of 1-100. Each city received a final index score, which is the average of the individual metric scores. Higher scores indicate a more relaxed city. All data collected July 2025.
Plans that may interest you
Born and raised in the UK, I discovered content creation as a journalist while studying at the University of Manchester. I've since covered a range of roles, both editorial and SEO, across the travel, hospitality, and professional services industries. I spend my weeks ensuring Holafly's content is relevant, insightful, and helpful, and my weekends exploring new destinations to satisfy my ever-growing travel bug.
