The Most Relaxing Cities in the World, From Melbourne to Vienna

Picture a city—any city. For many of us, visions of high-rise buildings, honking traffic, and jostling crowds spring to mind. Exciting and exhilarating, sure, but not exactly “relaxing.” Finding those peaceful pockets of quiet in a city is always possible, from sprawling green spaces and rooftop escapes to subterranean spas, but a city has to tick off more than just a few boxes to be officially termed “relaxing.”

International eSIM provider Holafly has released data looking into just that—which cities can truly be called relaxing. The research looks into everything from access to nature reserves, air quality, number of wellness centers, average sunshine hours (according to the World Weather & Climate), traffic congestion, and general public happiness levels (according to the 2025 Happy City Index) in order to determine the full list.

Wellness is only increasing in importance to travelers these days, and with the industry continuing to develop and grow, more people are prioritizing health and wellbeing as key factors when planning their trips. Below, find the top five most relaxing cities in the world for 2025.

5. Melbourne, Australia

This Australian city is no stranger to lists of the best cities in the world. Melbourne held the number one spot in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index for five years running, and now holds firm at position four. Renowned for its foodie reputation, with world-class coffee, cute neighborhood restaurants, and a whole host of cultural hotspots, the city is a masterclass in laid-back hedonism. It’s also home to 215 parks and nature reserves, 249 spas and wellness centers, and has a whopping 2,360 hours of sunshine each year. It’s no surprise this easygoing city earned a spot on this roundup. If you need any more convincing, read here about the best shops in Melbourne.

4. Sydney, Australia

Just beating its neighbor in fourth place is Sydney. Spend just a few days here, and you’ll soon realize why this city ranks so highly on this list. Here, locals rise at the crack of dawn to head for the shore, spending their mornings surfing, walking, or jogging along the coast—a sure-fire recipe to lower anyone’s shoulders and boost levels of relaxation. With 2,468 hours of sunshine, most people spend as much time outside as possible, and with as many open green spaces as it has (239 parks, to be precise), we can see why. Ready to hop on a flight? Check out the very best hotels in Sydney.