Noise pollution can cause health problems including sleep disturbance and high blood pressure.
As towns and cities grow noisier and more crowded every year, it is no surprise that many travellers are seeking peace and tranquillity on holiday.
A growing trend for ‘quiet tourism’ could be the answer. According to a report by the social media platform Pinterest, searches for ‘quiet places’ and ‘calm places’ have increased by 50 per cent and 42 per cent respectively since 2023, with users showing particular interest in mindful activities such as forest walks, mountain cabins, and island retreats.
This desire to escape to calm retreats is no superficial matter. Noise pollution, defined by the World Health Organisation as “unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities”, can cause health problems including sleep disturbance and high blood pressure. Levels are increasing around the world, with more than 40 per cent of people in Europe exposed to noise levels from transportation considered to be harmful.
“Much of our daily lives is filled with noise and uncontrollable interruptions, a lot of which is inescapable from loud bustling city streets in urban environments,” says Greg Scott, founder of SoundPrint, an app which measures sound levels in cities. “[Quieter] holidays can be seen as people wanting a respite from all the noise.”
Luckily, more serene destinations are within easy reach. Here’s where you can turn down the volume in Europe.
Avoid the crowds in Powys, Wales
A land of rolling green hills, beautiful moorland and ancient heritage sites, Powys has long been a popular choice for people who enjoy the peaceful countryside.
In 2023 it was crowned the ‘best place for peace and quiet’ in research commissioned by accommodation site Cottages in Northumberland, which analysed population density as well as peaceful pursuits on offer. With just 26 people per square kilometre, the region guarantees silence.
The area is also prime for stargazing – it is second in the UK for dark sky sites.
Enjoy low noise pollution in Zurich, Switzerland
Despite being a city, Zurich remains a world away from the usual chaos of urban life. It is the least noise-polluted in the world, according to a 2021 survey by hearing technology company Mimi, based on World Health Organization data.
Snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes and walkable streets also made Zurich the most liveable city in Europe earlier this year.
Find peaceful parks in Parc del Montnegre, 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 Urban Quiet Park by Quiet Parks International in 2021.
Only a 40-minute drive from Barcelona, millions of people live near the 15-hectare space, which contains pine woods as well as medieval churches.
Escape to quiet islands on the Bohuslän coast, Sweden
Located on the northernmost part of Sweden’s west coast, Bohuslän was identified by the European Environment Agency as one of Europe’s quietest areas.
Notable for its dramatic coastlines and Bronze Age art, the Bohuslän preserves picturesque fishing villages, nature reserves and more than 8,000 islands scattered with distinctive red boathouses.
Travel to a sanctuary for silence in the Hoh Rain Forest, Washington
Beyond Europe, this protected forest in western Washington state is one of the most ecologically diverse environments in the United States.
It was named a sanctuary for silence by the sustainability foundation One Square Inch of Silence on Earth Day 2005 and has since been maintained as a zone free of noise pollution, free of air tourism and roads.
