Finland, Canada, Australia, Estonia, Portugal, Iceland, Austria, Sweden, Norway Are The Best Destinations to Relax in 2025

With popular tourist hotspots like France, Spain, and Italy grappling with overtourism, more travelers are turning to tranquil retreats for a break from the chaos. New research has revealed the world's top serene escapes, with Iceland, Finland, and Austria emerging as the leading European destinations for relaxation in 2025.

The findings come from the Global Relaxation Index, which ranks 76 destinations based on five essential relaxation factors: safety, solitude, serenity, nature, and wellness. Each country was scored from 1 to 100, considering elements like protected natural areas, forest coverage, crowd density, noise pollution, and access to wellness experiences.

While Australia claimed the top spot globally, Iceland, Finland, and Austria flew the flag for Europe, offering idyllic nature retreats, wellness experiences, and peaceful environments.

The Global Relaxation Index evaluates destinations on five core criteria:

Based on these factors, each destination receives a score between 1 and 100. The countries with the highest scores are deemed the most relaxing places to visit.

Canada claimed the second spot, offering serene escapes with vast wilderness areas, including the stunning Rocky Mountains and the chance to witness the Northern Lights. Canada also boasts over 4,700 wellness experiences, making it a prime destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.

While destinations like Spain, France, and Italy are loved for their beauty and history, they have been plagued by overtourism. The high number of visitors crowds the streets, increases noise pollution, and reduces the sense of solitude for travelers.

For comparison:

These factors pushed countries like Italy to 30th place, while Spain ranked 16th and France lagged at 33rd. Meanwhile, Botswana and Namibia secured higher rankings due to their vast, untouched wilderness and low-density tourism.

As overtourism becomes a growing issue, more travelers are expected to seek peace, quiet, and serenity in lesser-visited destinations. The Global Relaxation Index highlights a trend toward nature-focused tourism and wellness retreats as key motivators for 2025 travel.

Instead of following the crowds, travelers are seeking quieter, greener experiences. Many of the top-ranking countries, like Iceland and Finland, offer vast landscapes, natural hot springs, and wellness retreats that prioritize mindfulness and relaxation.

With the growing popularity of relaxation travel, destinations like Iceland, Finland, and Austria offer the perfect escape from overcrowded tourist hotspots. The Global Relaxation Index has shifted the spotlight away from traditional summer favorites like Italy and Spain, directing attention to countries that prioritize wellness, nature, and quiet.

If relaxation, wellness, and mindful travel are your goals, 2025 offers plenty of serene destinations to explore. From the magical Northern Lights in Iceland to the forest-covered landscapes of Finland, these peaceful retreats provide the perfect antidote to the fast-paced modern world.

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