If your ideal vacation combines city comforts with easy access to nature, Vancouver deserves a spot on the list.
A recent analysis from Holafly ranked the Canadian city as the highest-rated destination in the Americas for relaxation, citing its combination of green space, wellness options, clean air and natural scenery.
Vancouver earned a 66.6 out of 100 relaxation score in the analysis, which examined 50 cities from the 2026 World’s Best Cities ranking. The study considered factors including parks and green spaces, wellness facilities, air quality, sunshine, traffic and happiness.
What makes Vancouver so relaxing?
The city’s biggest advantage is its proximity to nature.
• 114 parks and nature reserves provide plenty of places to escape the urban environment.
• Stanley Park offers forested trails, waterfront walks and easy access from downtown.
• More than 300 spas and wellness centers give visitors plenty of options for massages, facials and other treatments.
• Mountains, ocean and forest surround the city, creating a rare combination of urban convenience and outdoor scenery.
Vancouver isn’t just about sitting in a spa, either. A relaxing day could mean walking around Stanley Park, exploring the waterfront or simply spending time outdoors without leaving the city.
The analysis ranked Copenhagen, Barcelona and Vienna ahead of Vancouver globally, while Miami was the only other North American city to make the top 10.
The smarter take:
Vancouver’s appeal is simple: you don’t have to choose between a city vacation and a nature escape. You can have restaurants, hotels and wellness experiences in the morning—and mountains, forests or ocean views in the afternoon.