The relaxation experts at SpaSeekers.com have conducted new research which reveals the most serene destination in every country, according to the number of times the word ‘relaxing’ is mentioned in online travel reviews.
The number one most relaxing destination in the world is Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, which has 4,050 mentions of the word ‘relaxing’ in its online reviews. The Blue Lagoon is the world-famous geothermal spa located in Iceland. The destination offers visitors geothermal waters, stunning natural scenery, and a wide range of spa facilities and amenities including saunas, steam baths, and various skin treatments using the lagoon’s natural resource – making it the perfect destination for anyone looking to unwind.
Thermal pools continued to dominate the most relaxing places around the world, with Hungary’s Széchenyi Baths and Pool, England’s Thermae Bath Spa, and the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools in New Zealand all ranking in the top ten, each with over 1,000 relaxing reviews each.
Green spaces also featured heavily in the top 25, with France’s Luxembourg Gardens, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in Australia all having over 950 relaxing reviews each. From botanical gardens to public parks, the green spaces ranking highly on the list offer both locals and tourists a peaceful retreat into nature, to sit or stroll around and soak up the beautiful wildlife, water features and greenery each park has to offer.
The data reveals that Europe is the most relaxing continent, with six of the world’s top ten, and eight of the top 25 scattered across the region. North America follows with eight relaxing destinations in the top 25, including Costa Rica’s Tabacon Hot Springs and Canada’s Stanley Park. Tabacon Hot Springs is a luxurious and famous natural hot springs resort located in Costa Rica, near the Arenal Volcano in the town of La Fortuna. It is known for its rejuvenating thermal waters, and lush tropical surroundings, while Canada’s Stanley Park also offers visitors breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant wildlife. Stanley Park is surrounded by the waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay, and the park is encircled by the famous Seawall – a paved pathway which offers views of the ocean, city skyline, and mountains – the perfect place to relax.
Six Asian relaxing destinations featured in the top list, including Vietnam’s An Bang Beach, India’s Kerala Backwaters and China’s Summer Palace. Vietnam’s An Bang Beach is a popular coastal destination located in Hoi An and is renowned for its golden sandy shores, clear blue waters, and relaxed atmosphere – making it no surprise that it’s ranked as one of the top tranquil destinations to escape to. The Kerala Backwaters are a network of interconnected lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals that stretch along the southwestern coast of India. The waterway system is known for its serene and idyllic landscapes – making it the perfect place for a relaxing cultural experience. Finally, China’s Summer Palace ranked in 22nd place as one of the most relaxing destinations in China. The exquisite imperial garden can be found in Beijing and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is steeped in history and architectural beauty, offering locals and tourists a tranquil place to immerse themselves in a world of times gone before.
Finally, New Zealand’s Hanmer Springs Pools and Australia’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria represented Oceania, while one African relaxing hotspot made the list (Morocco’s Jardin Majorelle – also known as the Majorelle Garden, which contains pools, fountains and exotic flora).
| Rank | Most Relaxing Place | Description | Country | Mentions of ‘relaxing’ in reviews |
| 1 | Blue Lagoon | Hot springs | Iceland, Europe | 4,050 |
| 2 | Széchenyi Baths and Pool | Hot springs | Hungary, Europe | 3,581 |
| 3 | Thermae Bath Spa | Hot springs | England, Europe | 3,457 |
| 4 | Luxembourg Gardens | Garden | France, Europe | 1,828 |
| 5 | Parque del Retiro | Public park | Spain, Europe | 1,781 |
| 6 | Gardens by the Bay | Garden | Singapore, Asia | 1,138 |
| 7 | Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools | Hot springs | New Zealand, Oceania | 1,113 |
| 8 | St Stephen’s Green | Public park | Ireland, Europe | 1,104 |
| 9 | Jardin Majorelle | Garden | Morocco, Asia | 1,061 |
| 10 | Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria | Garden | Australia, Oceania | 950 |
| 11 | Tabacon Hot Springs | Hot springs | Costa Rica, North & Central America | 916 |
| 12 | Martha Brae River | Body of water | Jamaica, North & Central America | 903 |
| 13 | Stanley Park | Public park | Canada, North & Central America | 804 |
| 14 | English Garden | Public park | Germany, Europe | 780 |
| 15 | Strawberry Park Hot Springs | Hot springs | United States North & Central America | 533 |
| 16 | Lokrum Island | Island | Croatia, Europe | 502 |
| 17 | An Bang Beach | Beach | Vietnam, Asia | 497 |
| 18 | Saona Island | Island | Dominican Republic, North & Central America | 488 |
| 19 | Kerala Backwaters | Body of water | India, Asia | 463 |
| 20 | Maya Chan Beach | Beach | Mexico North & Central America | 439 |
| 21 | Little French Key | Island | Honduras North & Central America | 427 |
| 22 | Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) | Palace | China, Asia | 400 |
| 23 | KLCC Park | Public park | Malaysia, Asia | 400 |
| 24 | Bosphorus Strait Cruise | Body of water | Turkey, Asia | 375 |
| 25 | Varadero Beach | Beach | Cuba, North America | 374 |
Jason Goldberg, director at SpaSeekers.com comments: “When the stress of everyday life gets on top of you, booking a holiday to a different country can be the perfect way to unwind and relax. While all holiday destinations can provide an escape from stress, we wanted to dig a little deeper to reveal some of the most relaxing spots in every country – from natural baths to botanical gardens.
Some of the world’s most relaxing destinations are so serene because of their peaceful natural surroundings, while some simply provide a bolthole for people to have quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.
If you’re considering visiting one of these relaxing hotspots, you can make your experience even more calming by visiting key tourist attractions at quieter times and ensuring that you organise your trip in advance to avoid any last-minute stress.”
To view the full list of world’s most relaxing destinations, please visit: https://www.spaseekers.com/spa-insider/inspiration/serene-spots/
