Summer is just around the corner, which means many of you will be planning your next warm-weather adventure. Some go for beaches and others go for culture, but heading off on holiday can also mean enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation. So, which cities are the best for those looking to unwind?
The most chilled-out cities in the world
Here at PayingTooMuch, we’ve analysed 50 global cities to find out which are the most chilled-out in the world. The research has ranked the cities based on a range of metrics. This includes the number of parks and walking trails, noise and light pollution, traffic levels, population density, and the happiness scores of residents in each city.
For those of you looking to stay a little closer to home, we’ve also taken a look at the most relaxed cities in the UK.
1. 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 smaller number of crowds.
The city is home to the most walking trails of all destinations in the study, with 681 to choose from. Possibly the most iconic trail in Sydney is the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, where you can spend the day walking between several beautiful beaches. For added relaxation, you could also treat yourself to a dip in the Bondi Icebergs swimming pool, where the water comes in fresh from the ocean.
Sydney also has 917 parks on offer, which is the third-highest number of any city in the ranking. On top of this, its green spaces and parks have been given a quality score of 77 out of 100. Anything above 60 is considered high.
Sydney also has the third smallest population density rate, with 167 people per square mile living in the city meaning it should be easier to find quieter places to avoid large crowds.
Maybe it’s the sunshine or maybe it’s just the Australian way of living, but Sydney is also home to some very happy residents. The city has been given a happiness score of 1,567 out of 2000, the fourth-highest score in the study. This happiness ranking looks at different factors that might impact a resident’s quality of life including: education, inclusive policies, economy, mobility, environmental protection, access to green areas, and innovation in each city.
2. Vienna, Austria
In second place is Vienna, Austria. It 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. For reference, this index gives insights into the traffic conditions in the city. This score takes into account factors such as commute time, dissatisfaction with time spent in traffic, CO2 emissions, and overall traffic system inefficiencies.
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. For some of the most scenic hiking near the city, the Vienna Mountains are around an hour away. This area offers plenty of trails that take in sweeping valleys, lush forests, and impressive mountain ridges.
3. Melbourne, Australia
Another Australian city has made it into the top five, with Melbourne coming third in the ranking. As with Sydney, Melbourne has a low population density, with just 194 people per square mile. This means hopefully you won’t be fighting your way through the crowds while on holiday here.
The city also just beats Sydney on the number of parks (918) and its green spaces match London with a quality score of 80 out of 100. Looking at some of its most popular parks, the Royal Botanic Gardens are home to lakes, lawns, and 8,500 different plant species. Meanwhile, the 140-year-old Edinburgh Gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or a spot of lawn bowls.
The least chilled-out cities in the world
On the other end of the ranking, out of those we analysed it is cities like Mumbai, India and Marrakesh, Morocco, that, thanks to higher population densities and perhaps a little more traffic, rank as the least chilled-out.
While it’s the hustle and bustle that makes these cities so fun to visit, there are also plenty of places to relax in the city — you just need to know where to find them.
1. Mumbai, India
Mumbai, India has ranked as the least chilled-out city in the study, due to its high population density of 8,108 per square mile- the highest of all cities in the ranking. It’s also home to high noise & light pollution (70/100) and a low score (34) for quality of green spaces.
It still has 293 parks on offer though, which means travellers should be able to find some peace amidst busy city life. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the best places to head to if you want to ditch the crowds. Visitors might even glimpse a whole host of interesting wildlife like boars, lions, and leopards. There’s also some beautiful beaches on the outskirts of the city, including Juhu Beach and Marve Beach.
2. Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh, Morocco has ranked as the second least chilled-out city, offering only 2 parks throughout the city and high noise & light pollution levels (67/100).
But, if you know where to go, it’s definitely possible to unwind here. A hammam experience is one of the best ways to relax in the city. This is an ancient Moroccan tradition which involves going to a public steam bath where you can indulge in treatments such as massage and exfoliation. Morocco is also known for its mint tea, and a trip to one of Marrekesh’s dedicated tea houses is a great way to spend a chilled afternoon.
3. Jakarta, Indonesia
In third place is Jakarta, Indonesia - which has a high population density of over 2,236 people per square mile- the second highest of all cities in the ranking. It also has a high traffic index, scoring 252 - again, the second highest of the cities.
But like Mumbai, it still has plenty of green spaces on offer, with 148 parks dotted throughout the city. One of the best ways to escape the buzz of the city is to hop on a boat at Ancol Bay and head to The Thousand Islands. Some islands even have private beach huts you can stay in, where you can jump straight from the bed into the sea.
The most chilled-out cities in the UK
You don’t always have to hop on a plane to find a bit of rest and relaxation. Sometimes you can find it a little closer to home. With this in mind, we’ve also taken a look at the most chilled-out cities in the UK.
1. Durham
Coming in as the most chilled-out city in the UK is Durham, thanks to happy residents and a low population density making the city an enjoyable place to be.
Those living in Durham have recorded a life satisfaction score of 7.6 out of 10, which is the joint fourth highest in the study. To compare, the national average is 7.45. The population density in Durham is also only 4,006 people per square mile — the second lowest in the UK ranking overall, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds.
Despite only having a few walking trails (37) and parks (11), the quality of green space in the city is rated highly, with a score of 96 out of 100. Whether you want to hike, bike, or watch the wildlife, the Durham Dales is the perfect place to head outside and relax in nature. The city is also close to the North Pennines, a beautiful UNESCO Global Geopark which remains one of the most unspoilt areas in England.
2. Inverness
In second place is Inverness. The city boasts the lowest population density of all UK cities in the study, with just 3,200 people per square mile living in Inverness. Its traffic index score is also relatively low, at 101.
Located just a 30-minute car journey from the Cairngorms National Park, the city has 63 walking trails on offer. Inverness is also very close to Loch Ness, which is the perfect place to hike, head out on the water, enjoy a picnic, or, of course, do some monster spotting.
3. Edinburgh
Rounding off the top three most chilled-out cities in the UK is another Scottish city, Edinburgh, thanks to the peace and quiet it offers both residents and visitors.
In particular, Edinburgh boasts the lowest noise and light pollution score of 13 out of 100. This means your trip here shouldn’t be soundtracked with the constant sound of traffic.
For those who like to relax in nature, there’s also 77 parks and 127 walking trails to choose from in the city. Plus, its green spaces are given a quality score of 88 out of 100. Arthur’s Seat is a popular hill to climb on the fringe of the city, offering sweeping views across Edinburgh and out to sea.
The least chilled-out cities in the UK
As with the global ranking, some UK cities rank lower on the list because they’re maybe a little busier or louder. But, if you know where to look, you can still find the zen.
1. Manchester
Manchester has come in as the least chilled-out city, thanks to its high population density of 12,320 people per square mile. Life satisfaction levels are lower than average here too, coming in at 7 out of 10.
However, it’s a great place for those looking to relax with some fresh air, with 87 walking trails to choose from in the city. One of the most popular walks in Manchester is the Wharf City Trail. This 4km circular route takes you past some of the city’s top sights including the beautiful Gothic hall and several waterways.
2. Londonderry
Northern Ireland’s Londonderry has come in as the second least chilled-out city. The city scored the second lowest for its green space and park quality, scoring just 50 out of 100.
However, it is home to some pretty happy residents, who’ve recorded a life satisfaction score of 7.4 out of 10.
Known as ‘The Walled City,’ Londonderry has a rich history, and there’s plenty of museums, galleries, and tours on offer that give visitors a glimpse into its fascinating past.
3. Birmingham
Birmingham is in third. Noise and light pollution levels are quite high in the city with a score of 56 out of 100. However, it’s one of the best UK cities to head to if you’re after some greenery, as it boasts 81 parks.
In particular, Lickey Hills National Park is the ideal place for a quiet moment away from the buzz of the city. A stroll up Beacon Hill will reward you with some great views, and on a clear day you might even glimpse landmarks from 13 different counties!
Darren Saunders at PayingTooMuch, says, Whether you’re looking for a chilled out environment with clean air, wide spaces and green parks or it’s really the hustle and bustle of a busy city that excites you, it’s worth doing your research to make sure your chosen destination is the right one for you. It also pays to research your travel insurance by comparing cover, as policies can vary as much as one city to another.
Although the logistics might not be the most exciting part of booking a holiday, it’s important to have travel insurance for all trips abroad, to cover you for things like emergency medical expenses and flight cancellations. But it’s also important to cover yourself for UK trips, so you have peace of mind if something unexpected happens.
“Taking out domestic travel insurance policy for UK travel means you’ll be protected for things like damage to personal items. Most policies also offer cover for cancellations if you have two or more nights of accommodation booked, so it’s worth understanding exactly what you’ll be covered for in case you have to cancel.
“A lot of us go on holiday to recharge our batteries, and knowing you have the right type of cover in place means you can relax as soon as you start your trip.”
Methodology and Sources
To find the most chilled-out cities in the world, PayingTooMuch pulled together a seedlist of the top 50 most in-demand global travel destinations, based on the latest travel trends by Google trends.
The cities were then ranked based on the following metrics:
- Noise and light pollution - score out of 100
- Traffic index
- Population density - number of people per square mile
- Number of walking trails - ranked per 100,000 people
- Number of parks - ranked per 100,000 people
- Quality of green space and parks - score out of 100
- Happiness scores - score out of 2,000
To find the most chilled-out cities in the UK, PayingTooMuch pulled together a seedlist of the top 40 most in-demand travel destinations in the UK, based on the latest travel trends by Google trends.
The cities were then ranked based on the following metrics:
- Noise and light pollution - score out of 100
- Traffic index
- Population density - number of people per square mile
- Number of walking trails - ranked per 100,000 people
- Number of parks - ranked per 100,000 people
- Quality of green space and parks - score out of 100
- Life satisfaction score - score out of 10
