Why Vancouver was recently named one of the world's best escapes
Even while Vancouver’s residents deal with the stress of the high cost of living, the city still ranks as one of the most relaxing in the world for visitors.
Condé Nast Traveller worked with Holafly, a Travel ESIM group, to determine the most relaxing cities in 2026.
“What relaxes you on holiday? Is it a day beside the swimming pool at a sleek spa, swaddled in a robe awaiting an indulgent treatment? Being among nature, from walks through nature reserves to swims in crystal-clear lakes? Perhaps it’s simply sitting in the sun, novel in hand, watching the world go by as your phone sits out of arm’s length,” wrote Condé Nast Traveller.
They looked at population density, the number of nature areas and parks, the amount of spa and wellness centres, air quality, hours of sunlight, the traffic index, and the happiness score.
Currently, Vancouver has over 250 parks, 10 oceanside beaches, one freshwater lake, and 22 kilometres of Seawall. And while Vancouver’s air quality hasn’t been so great recently due to nearby wildfires, the city is generally known for having clean air. And during some summer weeks, we enjoy sunsets after 9 p.m.
Vancouver earned a score of 66.6 and came in third place, behind Vienna, Barcelona, and Copenhagen. It is the only Canadian city that made the list, and one of two North American cities (Miami sits at number six).
Vancouver has made similar international rankings before.
For example, in December 2025, it was in the top 10 in Wanderlust magazine’s 25th Reader Travel Awards.
More recently, TimeOut named the city as one of the most walkable cities in the world. They surveyed 24,000 people across the globe to ask how easy it is to walk around in their city. Vancouver earned a score of 73, ranking at 17 out of 20.
Further, in TimeOut’s list of 50 best cities in the world that it published this spring, Vancouver was the Canadian place that made the list, stating that “the great outdoors” brings it to this list.
“Vancouver is one of the rare spots on the planet where you can swim, cycle and ski all in a single day,” wrote TimeOut. “Head to Jericho Beach for a picnic, pedal Stanley Park’s scenic seawall, soar through the treetops at Capilano Suspension Bridge, or chase fresh powder on Grouse, Seymour, or Cypress Mountains – they’re all close enough to squeeze in a run or two after work.”