Europe dominates a new ranking of the world’s quietest cities to visit in 2027, with Venice, Lisbon and Amsterdam taking the top three positions. The findings offer a different perspective on European city breaks, highlighting destinations where pedestrian streets, fewer major roads and restrictions on nighttime activity can give visitors a break from traffic noise.
The ranking, published by Avanti Travel Insurance, places all 10 of the world’s quietest cities in Europe. Italy appears three times, with Venice, Milan and Florence making the list, while Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland and Sweden are also represented.
Unlike rankings based on visitor numbers or the popularity of tourist attractions, this study examined the physical layout of cities and the extent to which their streets are designed to limit traffic. It also considered local rules intended to reduce noise and disruption, including nighttime restrictions and limits on flights.
To compile the ranking, Avanti used Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index for 2025. Cities that were not open to all visitors, as well as entries representing wider regions rather than individual cities, were excluded from the research.
The study assessed each destination within a two-kilometre radius of its official centre point listed on OpenStreetMap. Where no official centre point was available, researchers used the city’s town hall as a reference.
Researchers measured the length of motorways and major roads within each area, alongside the distance covered by pedestrianised streets. Cities with fewer kilometres of major roads and more streets reserved for pedestrians received more favourable scores. These measurements were averaged to produce the ranking.
The research also examined what Avanti described as “peacekeeping rules”. These included legally established quiet hours, nighttime curfews, restrictions on flights at major city airports and Sunday trading rules. The study therefore considered both the physical environment and regulations that could contribute to a quieter urban experience.
Venice, Italy, claimed first place, with the research identifying fewer than two kilometres of busy roads within two kilometres of its centre. The city also has more than 170 kilometres of car-free streets, giving visitors the opportunity to explore its canals, historic squares and narrow walkways without the constant presence of road traffic.
For travel expert Sarah Rodrigues, Venice offers a different experience when visitors move beyond the busiest tourist hours. She recommends exploring early in the morning, when the streets are quieter and visitors have a better opportunity to experience parts of the city that are often overlooked during the day.
Lisbon, Portugal, ranked second. According to Avanti, the Portuguese capital has one of the lowest densities of major roads among the cities examined. Its airport also operates under a cap on nighttime flights, another factor considered in the research.
The city combines historic architecture, traditional trams, tiled buildings and views across the Tagus River with several green spaces. Rodrigues recommends visiting the Gulbenkian gardens, where travellers can spend time outdoors while also enjoying the nearby cultural attractions.
Amsterdam took third place, supported by more than 30 kilometres of car-free streets and routes along its famous canals. Beyond its museums and well-known waterways, the Dutch capital has neighbourhoods with independent shops, cafes and local cultural attractions that visitors can explore away from the busiest central areas.
Rodrigues advises travellers to consider different neighbourhoods before choosing accommodation. Staying outside the immediate city centre, she said, can provide a quieter place to return to after a day of sightseeing.
Barcelona ranked fourth, followed by Brussels in fifth place and Athens in sixth. Zurich took seventh position, while Milan and Florence placed eighth and ninth respectively. Stockholm completed the ranking in tenth place, making Sweden the final country represented.
Although the research places European cities at the top, it does not suggest that quieter urban destinations are limited to the continent. Rodrigues also identified places in other parts of the world that she considers worth exploring for travellers seeking a less noisy experience.
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Her selections included Hoi An in Vietnam, Lamu Island in Kenya, New Mexico in the United States, Paraty in Brazil and Nelson in New Zealand. These destinations offer alternatives for travellers interested in exploring beyond Europe’s major cities.
The ranking is based on road infrastructure, pedestrianised streets and selected local restrictions rather than direct measurements of sound levels across entire cities. It should therefore be understood as an assessment of urban features associated with quieter surroundings, not a guarantee that every neighbourhood or tourist area will be peaceful.
For travellers planning a European city break in 2027, the findings provide an alternative way to compare destinations. Venice, Lisbon and Amsterdam may be internationally recognised tourist cities, but their position in the ranking highlights the importance of pedestrian access, urban planning and the spaces available to visitors who want to explore without spending their entire trip surrounded by traffic.
