Wellness travel is booming. In fact, the Global Wellness Institute estimates the global wellness tourism market is now worth $651 billion annually – and it’s growing fast, with a forecasted 16.6% annual growth to 2027.

But here’s the thing: not everyone has the time, budget, or flexibility for a luxury wellness retreat. Whether you’re looking for a short weekend away, or something more indulgent, we analysed all of the cities in Europe to find out which offers the best balance of wellbeing, affordability, and accessibility.

What Do We Mean By Wellness Travel?

Wellness & longevity travel is about more than spa breaks and yoga retreats (though we’re big fans of those too!). It’s a holistic approach to travel that promotes:

• Physical health – through active adventures, nutritious food, and clean air.
• Mental wellbeing – by reducing stress, boosting mood, and encouraging mindfulness.
• Longevity – with lifestyle habits that support a longer, healthier life.

Wellness Travel Can Be Surprisingly Affordable 

You might think a relaxing getaway comes with a big price tag – but that isn’t always the case. Many European capitals offer world-class wellness experiences – from clean air and leafy parks to healthy dining and active adventures – without the cost of an exclusive retreat.

City breaks are often more accessible than remote spa resorts, and with the right destination, you can return home feeling healthier, more energised, and inspired to keep up new wellness habits long-term.

Our Research: The Wellness & Longevity Travel Index

To help holidaymakers, we analysed 21 European capital cities to reveal which offer the best wellness experience. We compared each location across multiple wellness and longevity factors, scoring them based on:

• Wellness Economy per Capita – Global Wellness Institute (2023/24)
• Demand for Wellness Holidays – Semrush search volumes (July 2025)
• Healthy Food Affordability – World Bank Food Prices for Nutrition DataHub (2023/24)
• Green Space Coverage – EU Data & London City data
• Air Quality – Plume AQI (city-level)
• Yoga Teacher Access – Yoga Alliance International (city-level)
• Hiking & Cycling Routes – AllTrails (city-level)
• Destinations Included – WHO Healthy Life Expectancy scores (70+), excluding countries with travel warnings (Independent, June 2025)

Each city was given a score out of 100 in each category, based on real data, creating a possible maximum of 800 points.

Top 5 Wellness & Longevity Cities Overall

Rank	City & Country	Total Score /800	Notable Strengths
1	London, UK	468	#1 for Wellness Economy, #1 for Healthy Food Access, strong hiking & yoga scene.
2	Bern, Switzerland	364	Excellent wellness economy, high green space access, balanced wellness offerings.
3	Vienna, Austria	357	Strong across wellness economy, healthy food, and hiking/cycling access.
4	Lisbon, Portugal	320	#1 for Hiking & Cycling Routes, great air quality.
5	Helsinki, Finland	302	Cleanest air in Europe, high green space access.

Here’s how the rest of the world performed:

6. Reykjavík, Iceland – 293
7. Oslo, Norway – 293
8. Dublin, Ireland – 284
9. Stockholm, Sweden – 275
10. Berlin, Germany – 274
11. Copenhagen, Denmark – 270
12. Luxembourg, Luxembourg – 269
13. Madrid, Spain – 268
14. Brussels, Belgium – 250
15. Amsterdam, Netherlands – 246
16. Paris, France – 241
17. Rome, Italy – 188
18. Ljubljana, Slovenia – 155
19. Athens, Greece – 115
20. Nicosia, Cyprus – 92
21. Valletta, Malta – 68

Wellness Category Winners

• Best Wellness Economy – Reykjavík, Iceland
• Highest Demand for Wellness Holidays – London, UK 
• Best Healthy Food Access & Affordability – London, UK
• Most Access to Green Space – Oslo, Norway 
• Cleanest Air – Helsinki, Finland 
• Most Yoga Teachers per Capita – Paris, France 
• Best Hiking & Cycling Routes – Lisbon, Portugal 

Travel Tips for a Recharging City Break

If you’re planning your own wellness and longevity trip, here are a few ways to maximise the benefits of your time away from home:

• Make time for green spaces – parks, riversides, and gardens are proven to reduce stress and boost mood. Try taking a long walk or bike ride in these locations.
• Minimise your screen time – phones in particular are notorious for causing stress, disrupting sleep, and cause eye strain. Try to keep your phone tucked away to stay present on your trip.
• Be present in the moment – No screens, no music, no podcasts; fully experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of your destination.
• Don’t be afraid to solo travel – Going it alone gives you the freedom to set your own pace, focus on self-care, and truly connect with your surroundings.
• Embrace slow mornings – Swap the rush of back-to-back sightseeing for a mindful start to your day. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, a gentle stretch, or quiet journaling before heading out.

Joanne Chiu also adds:

“Travel can be the perfect catalyst for lasting lifestyle changes. Wellness and longevity-focused holidays go beyond relaxation; they can introduce guests to new habits, self-care rituals, and even biohacking techniques that they can continue at home.”

If you can’t get away, why not treat yourself to a retreat worthy experience at home?

Looking to bring wellness into your own back garden? With a swim spa, mini pool, or hot tub from Platinum Spas, you can create a retreat-worthy experience at home. Get in touch with our team today to find out more. Or, book a visit to your nearest hot tub showroom to see our products in person!