Canada News
Vancouver ranks 4th among world’s most relaxing cities in 2026
Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 02, 2026
Photo courtesy: Vancouver’s Best Places
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Vancouver has been named the fourth most relaxing city in the world for 2026, placing it ahead of major destinations including Oslo, Miami, Munich, Singapore, Rome and Amsterdam.
The ranking, compiled by travel eSIM company Holafly and reported by Condé Nast Traveller, gave Vancouver an overall relaxation score of 66.6 out of 100. It was also the only Canadian city to make the global top 10.
Vancouver narrowly missed a spot in the top three, finishing just 0.2 points behind Vienna, which scored 66.8.
Copenhagen topped the 2026 ranking with a score of 70, followed by Barcelona at 69.6 and Vienna at 66.8. Oslo completed the top five with 64.2.
The study evaluated cities using several indicators associated with relaxation and well-being, including population density, access to parks and natural areas, spa and wellness facilities, air quality, annual sunlight hours, traffic levels and happiness scores.
Vancouver’s combination of urban life and easy access to nature helped make it a natural fit for the list. The Pacific Ocean borders the city while mountains rise just beyond its skyline, giving residents and visitors access to beaches, waterfront paths, forests and outdoor recreation without travelling far from downtown.
Condé Nast Traveler noted that Vancouver has more than 230 municipal parks covering roughly 11 percent of the city, alongside its Pacific coastline and mountain surroundings. Stanley Park, the seawall and the city’s beaches are among the outdoor spaces that allow visitors to trade the typical rush of a major city for time in nature.
The 2026 top 10 were:
- Copenhagen, Denmark — 70
- Barcelona, Spain — 69.6
- Vienna, Austria — 66.8
- Vancouver, Canada — 66.6
- Oslo, Norway — 64.2
- Miami, United States — 63.3
- Munich, Germany — 63.3
- Singapore — 63.2
- Rome, Italy — 61.9
- Amsterdam, Netherlands — 61.5
For travellers looking for a city break without completely giving up peace and open space, Vancouver’s latest ranking reinforces one of its biggest draws: a major city where beaches, forests, mountains and waterfront views are rarely far away.
