Havens of peace face the test of “silent tourism”: noise pollution can cause health problems, including sleep disorders and high blood pressure.
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With cities becoming noisier and more crowded every year, it's no surprise that many travelers seek peace and quiet while on vacation.
The growing trend towards “quiet tourism” could be the answer. According to a report from social media platform Pinterest, searches for “quiet places” and “quiet places” have increased by 50% and 42% respectively since 2023, with users showing particular interest in mindfulness activities like as forest walks, mountain cabins and island retreats.
This desire to escape to quiet retreats is not superficial. Noise pollution, defined by the World Health Organization as “unwanted or harmful external sounds created by human activities,” can lead to health problems, including sleep disorders and high blood pressure. Levels are increasing worldwide, with more than 40% of the European population exposed to levels of transport noise considered harmful.
“Much of our daily lives are filled with uncontrollable noise and interruptions, much of which is unavoidable on the noisy, busy streets of urban environments,” says Greg Scott, founder of SoundPrint, an app that measures sound levels in the cities. “The holidays [plus calmes] can be seen as a moment of respite for people.”
Fortunately, more serene destinations are easily accessible. Here's where you can turn down the volume in Europe.
Avoid the crowds in Powys, Wales
A land of rolling green hills, stunning moorland and ancient heritage sites, Powys has long been a popular choice for people who enjoy peaceful countryside.
In 2023 it was crowned 'best place for peace and quiet' in a study commissioned by accommodation site Cottages in Northumberland, which analyzed population density as well as the peaceful activities on offer. With only 26 inhabitants per square kilometer, the region guarantees silence.
The area is also good for stargazing – it is second in the UK for dark sky sites.
Enjoy low noise pollution in Zurich, Switzerland
Although it is a city, Zurich stays away from the usual chaos of city life. It is the least noise-polluted city in the world, according to a 2021 study by hearing technology company Mimi, based on data from the World Health Organization.
The snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes and pedestrian streets also made Zurich the most liveable city in Europe earlier this year.
Peaceful parks in the Montnegre Park, Spain
Located in the Montnegre massif, a large protected natural area in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, this mountainous terrain was named Spain's first quiet urban park by Quiet Parks International in 2021.
Just a 40-minute drive from Barcelona, millions of people live near this 15-hectare space, which contains pine forests as well as medieval churches.
Escape to quiet islands off the coast of Bohuslän, Sweden
Located in the northernmost part of Sweden's west coast, Bohuslän has been identified by the European Environment Agency as one of the quietest areas in Europe.
Known for its spectacular coastlines and Bronze Age art, Bohuslän retains picturesque fishing villages, nature reserves and more than 8,000 islands dotted with distinctive red boathouses.
Travel to a sanctuary of silence in Washington's Hoh Rainforest
Beyond Europe, this protected forest in western Washington is one of the most ecologically diverse environments in the United States.
ADVERTISEMENTIt was named a Sanctuary of Silence by the sustainability foundation One Square Inch of Silence on Earth Day 2005 and has since been maintained as an area free of noise pollution, air tourism and roads.
