When traveling, do you think restful nights are just as important as fun-filled days? Dylan Tollemache, co-founder and CEO of mattress company Onebed, agrees.
He says, “Getting good sleep can make or break a holiday,” so you should know how noisy or bright a place can be at night. Researchers at Onebed compared tourist destinations to see where people sleep best.
The study ranked cities based on average noise levels, reviews from hotel guests, air quality, tourist density, and light pollution. They also looked at residents’ average bedtime to form a composite score, with higher scores indicating better chances of quality sleep.
Read on for a list of tourist destinations where you can relax in comfort.
1. Helsinki, Finland (78.46)
Helsinki, Finland ranks as the world’s most sleep-friendly destination. A big reason is the low average noise levels (dBA) at 49. Besides that, half of hotel guests give thumbs up for sleep quality.
The city is known for its quiet streets and relatively fewer crowds, which help you feel calm as you doze off.
2. Bergen, Norway (77.25)
Bergen, Norway, follows in second place, just a point away from the top spot. With average noise levels of 55 dBA, you probably won’t hear any loud sounds at night.
Also, 48% of hotel guests mention they slept well when leaving a hotel review, which says a lot about how they slept. With light pollution lower than Helsinki, it isn’t an issue for visitors who want to explore.
3. Bruges, Belgium (73.84)
Coming in third is Bruges, Belgium. It’s a peaceful city with noise levels as low as 45 dBA, one of the lowest of all the cities that were considered in the study.
1 in 2 travelers praised their accommodations for being sleep-friendly, making it a great place for a relaxing vacation. That’s not taking all the beautiful architecture in the city center into account, where you’ll be exhausted from walking around all day, making sure the sleep will be even deeper.
4. Lausanne, Switzerland (73.55)
Lausanne, Switzerland, is fourth on the list with a score of 73.55. One benefit of this city is how dark it gets at night, making it easy to drift off.
It also has moderate noise levels of 55 dBA, and 50% of people who stayed there recommend it as a great place to get some shut-eye. With “only” one million visitors every year, it’s one of the lesser-visited cities with a lower chance of disturbed sleep.
5. Geneva, Switzerland (72.79)
Geneva, Switzerland, takes fifth place, scoring 72.79. With an AQI (Air Quality Index) of 20, the air is super clean here. You can sleep easy, knowing you won’t inhale any contaminants floating around.
Plus, 51% of hotel guests left exceptional reviews about their sleep conditions, making it a perfect destination for travelers in need of rest.
6. Santiago, Chile (72.46)
While Santiago, Chile, has more light pollution than other destinations up until now, it manages to keep noise levels at 55 dBA on average.
55% of hotel guests enjoyed a good night’s sleep, and it’s less crowded than other big South American cities.
7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (68.48)
In Rio de Janeiro, you can expect to sleep without interruptions, according to 52% of people who stayed at a hotel there. It’s in seventh place with its clean air, marked by an AQI of 11.
As a mountainous region with lots of green spaces, even if you’re in one of the biggest cities in the world, it proves nature can recharge us.
8. Antwerp, Belgium (68.08)
People in Antwerp, Belgium, go to bed very early. You’re unlikely to see anyone outside just 10 minutes past midnight, which leads to 52% of hotel reviews praising the sleep quality.
It also makes it a calming place to spend the night, with its fresh air (AQI 26) and low number of tourists contributing to its position of #8.
9. Dublin, Ireland (66.07)
Dublin, Ireland, takes ninth place with a score of 66.07. Residents and establishments are mindful of keeping the city dim at nightfall so that light pollution is minimal. Plus, bedtime is typically set shortly after midnight, except for on weekends.
Combine these factors with an AQI of 19, and you have a destination where deep sleep is almost guaranteed.
10. Athens, Greece (65.89)
Athens, Greece, rounds out the top 10 with a score of 65.89. Even though it’s a bustling city, it’s not too noisy, with an average dBA of 55. The air is really fresh, too, with an AQI of 27.
So, if you’re looking for a cultural trip that comes with a decent night’s rest, Athens might be for you.
11. Brisbane, Australia (65.57)
Few destinations respect noise regulations as much as Brisbane, Australia. With noise levels at 51.60 dBA on average, the city allows you to fall asleep quickly. Aside from being a quiet city, it’s also a clean one with an AQI of 19.
Moreover, most locals hit the hay well before midnight, so you’ll definitely wake up energized the next day.
12. Oslo, Norway (64.47)
At twelfth place, Oslo, Norway, is another sleep-friendly location. Stay here, and you’ll notice the city going dark at night despite its status as a tourist hotspot.
In their reviews, 46% of people talked about how well they slept. Plus, the locals are rarely awake past midnight, so it’s a great choice for a cozy trip.
13. Edinburgh, Scotland (64.35)
Edinburgh, Scotland, with a score of 64.35, values a good night’s sleep. Famous for its majestic castles, the city offers a peaceful retreat once the sun goes down.
Bedtime is usually before 12:30 a.m., and the fresh air will help you sleep soundly.
14. Kyoto, Japan (63.51)
The Japanese are known for being disciplined; staying in Kyoto allows you to witness it yourself. It gets quiet at night, with average noise levels at 50 dBA. Also, the city’s air quality is impressive, at an AQI of 28, even though it welcomes 50 million tourists a year.
However, if you’re sensitive to bright environments, you may have a hard time sleeping at night because of their high light pollution levels.
15. Hobart, Australia (62.83)
One thing that stands out about Hobart, Australia, is how much hotels care about their guests’ sleep hygiene. 63% of reviews say the city is a great place to recharge.
What’s more, locals are in bed before midnight, so once you’re tucked under the blankets, you’ll be free of any disturbances.
16. Vienna, Austria (62.70)
With noise levels as low as 33 dBA, Vienna, Austria, might be the most serene place you’ll ever sleep in. Even though it’s a popular destination, with four million people visiting yearly, it’s surprisingly dark at night.
Additionally, people go to bed before 12 a.m., so you won’t have a problem getting cozy. Especially with 47% of hotel reviews highlighting how good they slept, you’ll have no issue falling asleep after a long day of exploring.
17. Auckland, New Zealand (61.98)
The most commendable thing about Auckland, New Zealand, is its AQI of 8. Who doesn’t want to sleep in a city free of air pollutants? You can also book a hotel room with confidence, as 63% of guests explicitly mention they sleep well when visiting Auckland.
Also, it’s a relatively low-profile city with fewer crowds and low light pollution. All of this will make sure that you will be able to return home recharged.
18. Tallinn, Estonia (61.35)
Tallinn, Estonia, has the darkest night skies on this list. With an AQI of 22 and minimal light pollution, you can expect a full night’s rest on your trip.
However, its score is impacted by the city’s noise, which reaches an average of 85 dBA. If you’re a light sleeper or have trouble falling asleep, you might want to bring earplugs to keep disruptions to a minimum.
Featured Image: milkos/depositphotos
Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.
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