Nearly half of travellers prioritise relaxation when choosing where to holiday, seeking escapes from daily stress in tranquil environments. Whether it’s serene beaches, peaceful parks, or quiet city spots, finding the most relaxing destinations is key to transforming a holiday into a rejuvenating retreat.

In a recent study, the travel insurance experts at PayingTooMuch looked at 50 of the world’s happiest cities to determine the most tranquil and unwinding locations for 2024. The research ranked these cities based on various factors that contribute to a calming atmosphere. These metrics included the availability of parks and walking trails, levels of noise and light pollution, traffic congestion, population density, and the overall happiness of the local residents. 

Sydney is crowned the most chilled-out city in the world

Sydney, Australia

Taking the crown as the most chilled-out city in the world is Sydney, Australia, thanks to an abundance of green spaces and a distinct lack of crowds. 

The city is home to the most walking trails of all destinations in the study, with 681 to choose from and Sydney has 917 parks on offer. Its green spaces and parks have also been given a quality score of 77 out of 100. The city also has the third smallest population density rate, with 167 people per square mile meaning it should be easier to find quieter places to avoid large crowds.

Vienna, Austria 

In second place as one of the best cities for finding some peace is Vienna, Austria. The city boasts the lowest noise and light pollution levels of all locations in the study, with a score of 31 out of 100. Its traffic index is also low, with a score of 74. While Vienna doesn’t have a huge number of walking trails (41) or parks (172), the quality of its green spaces has been given a score of 84, the joint second highest in the study. 

Melbourne, Australia

Another Australian city has made it into the ranking, with Melbourne coming in as the third most relaxing city in the world. As with Sydney, Melbourne benefits from a low population density of 194 people per square mile. The city offers a remarkable 367 walking trails and 918 parks, with the quality of its green spaces rated a strong 80 out of 100. Additionally, happiness levels among locals here are high at 1,527 (out of 2,000).

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu ranks fourth among the most chilled-out cities globally, offering a blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. Despite its higher population density of 863 people per square mile, the city maintains relatively moderate noise and light pollution levels at 51 out of 100. The city has 75 walking trails and 58 parks, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The quality of its green spaces and parks is rated at 60 out of 100, making Honolulu an appealing destination for those seeking a balance between city life and nature.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, famous for its urban vibrancy and green spaces, ranks as the fifth most relaxing city worldwide. While the city has a relatively high population density of 2,037 people per square mile, it maintains low noise and light pollution levels, scoring 38 out of 100. The city offers 60 walking trails and 55 parks, with the quality of its green spaces rated at an impressive 84 out of 100, making Amsterdam a top choice for those seeking relaxation in a lively yet serene environment.

Mumbai is the least chilled-out city in the world

Mumbai, India 

Mumbai ranks as the least chilled-out city thanks to its high population density of 8,108 people per square mile, contributing to significant noise and light pollution levels, which score 70 out of 100. Traffic congestion is also substantial, with a traffic index of 260. Despite these challenges, Mumbai offers 293 parks and 22 walking trails so travellers should be able to find some peace amidst the chaos. 

Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh ranks second among the least relaxing cities with moderate noise and light pollution levels, with a score of 67 out of 100, indicating a fairly lively environment. For those seeking outdoor leisure, Marrakesh offers only 11 parks and 2 walking trails, which may not be sufficient for escaping the city’s hustle and bustle. Also, the quality of its green spaces is rated at 48 out of 100, suggesting that while there are some areas to enjoy nature, they may not provide the level of tranquillity found in other destinations.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta ranks third among the least chilled-out cities due to its high population density of 6,236 people per square mile, significant noise and light pollution (scoring 61 out of 100), and traffic congestion (scoring 252 on the traffic index). While the city has 148 parks and 19 walking trails dotted throughout the city, the quality of these green spaces is low, rated at 31 out of 100.

Darren Saunders at PayingTooMuch comments on the findings: “The logistics might not be the most exciting part of booking a holiday. But, you’ll want to sort out travel insurance before you fly so you have full peace of mind that you’re covered for any eventuality while off on your adventures. 

“No matter what kind of holiday you’re going on, travel insurance is important for any trips abroad. This will cover things like emergency medical expenses, flight cancellations, and loss or damage to your personal belongings. 

“Lots of us use holidays as a chance to recharge our batteries, and taking out the right level of cover means you can relax as soon as you start your trip.”