Whether you’re looking to move cross-country or overseas, the idea of relocating is always appealing. But as we live in an era where we may no longer need to flock to the big smoke for work, why not do what’s best for you and your wellbeing.
The experts at Virtuoso have revealed that wellness is set to be a huge travel trend in 2024, and also with searches dramatically increasing for “ways to improve wellbeing” by +29% it seems that everyone is in search of a little fix for their wellbeing.
With this in mind, Cult Beauty has done the hard work for you by taking a deep dive into which cities are best for your wellbeing. Using seven different ranking factors – ranging from quality of life to the number of parks, spas and wellness centres to round up the top 20 cities that put self-care first.
| Rank | City | Quality of Life Index | Health Care Index | Cost of Living Index | Pollution Index | Number of parks | Number of spas and wellness centres | Happiness levels | Total Index |
| 1 | Paris, France | 122.6 | 78.6 | 77.6 | 63.6 | 173 | 1000 | 6.69 | 9.81323196 |
| 2 | London, United Kingdom | 127.1 | 69.7 | 82.8 | 57.7 | 187 | 968 | 7.064 | 5.413136186 |
| 3 | Helsinki, Finland | 194.4 | 79.5 | 70.7 | 12.9 | 67 | 54 | 7.842 | 5.362944683 |
| 4 | Copenhagen, Denmark | 182.8 | 76.9 | 83.1 | 22.7 | 55 | 76 | 7.62 | 4.906840497 |
| 5 | Vienna, Austria | 197.7 | 78.9 | 65 | 16.1 | 83 | 101 | 7.268 | 4.854112636 |
| 6 | Prague, Czech Republic | 156.5 | 74.4 | 62.2 | 33.5 | 49 | 230 | 6.965 | 4.74149205 |
| 7 | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | 178.7 | 78.8 | 64.7 | 28.1 | 38 | 121 | 7.064 | 4.588632647 |
| 8 | The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands | 215.7 | 79.9 | 61.6 | 19.2 | 12 | 65 | 7.464 | 4.588049989 |
| 9 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 202.5 | 79.7 | 64.7 | 24.6 | 65 | 41 | 7.464 | 4.582246213 |
| 10 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 194.8 | 77.3 | 69.2 | 25.1 | 61 | 157 | 7.464 | 4.527275875 |
| 11 | Oslo, Norway | 177 | 78.8 | 84.2 | 21.5 | 77 | 44 | 7.392 | 4.515063414 |
| 12 | Madrid, Spain | 185.1 | 79.8 | 52.3 | 40 | 86 | 300 | 6.491 | 4.513026976 |
| 13 | Luxembourg, Luxembourg | 200.5 | 79 | 71.6 | 19.9 | 55 | 36 | 7.324 | 4.504295031 |
| 14 | Minsk, Belarus | 119.5 | 48.6 | 37.7 | 41.7 | 12 | 46 | 5.534 | 4.490907939 |
| 15 | Reykjavik, Iceland | 185 | 68.1 | 90.8 | 14.9 | 29 | 31 | 7.554 | 4.463828789 |
| 16 | Vilnius, Lithuania | 164.6 | 74.6 | 51.9 | 24.6 | 15 | 59 | 6.255 | 4.441081231 |
| 17 | Berlin, Germany | 158.6 | 68.1 | 71.1 | 39.4 | 58 | 342 | 7.103 | 4.436484944 |
| 18 | Stockholm, Sweden | 164.6 | 66.5 | 69.4 | 18 | 78 | 60 | 7.363 | 4.434624361 |
| 19 | Munich, Germany | 181.4 | 77.2 | 74 | 24.7 | 32 | 73 | 7.155 | 4.422956587 |
| 20 | Barcelona, Spain | 139.5 | 77.1 | 57.9 | 65.2 | 83 | 646 | 6.491 | 4.363592774 |
Paris reigns as the ultimate wellness destination
Already holding the crown for the city of love, Paris also wins the title as the best place for your wellbeing too. Not only did the metropolis come in first for its pollution and health care index, but it also has the most spas and wellness centres – with 1000 recorded to grace the capital’s streets (think Maison Souquet Spa, Dior Spa and La Boutique Aime, to just name a few). What’s more, home to some of the biggest beauty brands, including SISLEY-PARIS, Avène and Caudalie, Parisians are primed to take the spa home with them, indulging in self care whenever and wherever they want.
London’s green oasis: Runner up in European wellness cities
Home to Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and St James’ Park, London wins it’s runner-up status, thanks to its record-breaking number of green grounds. With 187 parks for recreation and leisure, The Square Mile offers the best of both worlds, fusing rural landscapes with the buzz of an urban lifestyle there is no wonder that London is the second-best city in Europe for wellness.
Helsinki continues to shine as city of smiles
According to the index Helsinki is the city of smiles. With the highest happiness ranking, Finland’s capital maintains its joyful title for the fifth year running. Priding itself on its generosity, the Finnish are renowned for looking after both themselves and others around them.
Copenhagen is the height of wellbeing and happiness!
With free health care, education and the ideal work-life balance, Copenhagen ranks in 4th place and has been named as one of the best cities in the world for happiness and well-being. Scoring high in both quality of life and happiness, the city’s nutrition, water, and sanitation rankings all come in at an impressive 99% or above.
Vienna’s double triumph for both liveability and wellbeing
Holding on to its title as the world’s most liveable city for the eighth time, it comes as no surprise that Vienna comes in within the top five best places for your wellbeing. Scoring high for the quality-of-life index, Austria’s capital thrives on its unmatched health, education, and housing systems – with a lot of resources put behind infrastructure and housing, so the cost of living is far lower than in comparable European cities.
Spokesperson from Cult Beauty comments on the study: “At Cult Beauty, we’re thrilled to present our latest study, unveiling the European cities that truly prioritize wellbeing. These cities, like Paris, London, Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Vienna, are not only picturesque destinations but havens for self-care and rejuvenation. From serene parks to luxurious spas, they offer an exceptional quality of life. We’re proud to shine a spotlight on these urban sanctuaries that inspire a healthier and happier way of living. Elevate your life with wellness today!”
For further details and insights into the top 20 European cities for wellbeing, please visit: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/blog/2023/08/best-cities-for-your-wellbeing/
To shop the best selection of wellness products please visit: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/body-wellbeing/wellbeing.list
