For many Melburnians, days can feel dominated by commutes and long days in an office – not necessarily activities that are known for their relaxing qualities. That said, outside the grind, new research has identified Melbourne as one of the most relaxing cities in the world.
To determine the most relaxing cities in the world, international eSIM provider Holafly assessed a number of factors that make for a chilled-out day: everything from average sunshine hours to traffic congestion, and access to wellness centres and nature reserves.
Of all the cities in the world, Melbourne ranked as the fifth best for relaxation. As experts in what’s happening in Melbourne, we’re unsurprised to learn that the city is getting recognised for its chill-mode potential – with luxe new wellness clubs and green spaces opening up regularly.
According to the data, Melbourne’s green spaces were the key reason for our sky-high spot on the list. The city is home to 215 parks and nature reserves, including the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, which recently ranked as one of the best attractions in Australia.
With 2,360 hours of sunshine per year and great air quality, there’s a whole heap of time to relax in the city’s leafy pockets. Melbourne is also home to an impressive 249 spas and wellness centres, so you can still get your dose of self-care when the sun isn’t shining.
These are the most relaxing cities in the world for 2025:
- San Diego, US
- Singapore
- Vienna, Austria
- Sydney, Australia
- Melbourne, Australia
Keen to cash in on this chilled-out city status with a staycation? These are the best hotels in Melbourne.