Reykjavik Named Europe’s Best City for Sleep as Experts Warn of Widespread Sleep Deprivation
Europe’s best place to sleep is also one of its quietest capitals. Reykjavik, Iceland, topped a new ranking of European cities for rest, and the study behind it says nearly 1 in 3 adults across the continent is affected by sleep deprivation.
Online luggage retailer Eminent released the findings in a September 2026 report on sleep tourism. The report scored European cities out of 100 on noise and light pollution, summer heat and air quality, with Iceland’s capital finishing first at 99.21.
Why Reykjavik Ranks as Europe’s Best City for Sleep
Reykjavik recorded the lowest perceived noise and light pollution in the study, at 19.47 out of 100. Its perceived air pollution score of 14.25 was also the lowest in the top 10.
Summer nights there average a low of just 8.9°C, which the report says makes it easier to cool down and rest. Stockholm followed with a score of 96.11, with Cork third at 95.11, and Kaunas and Gothenburg rounded out the top five.
Stockholm logged no tropical nights across all 92 days of summer, while Cork stayed below 20°C every night. Nordic cities were well represented, with Gothenburg and Stavanger also making the top 10.
What the Sleep Tourism Boom Means for European Travelers
A travel consultant from Eminent said sleep tourism is already a $690 billion industry worldwide. The consultant added that the industry is forecast to grow by another $400 billion by 2028.
As the consultant put it, “sleep is heavily influenced by your surroundings,” including outdoor temperature, window noise and air quality. Unlike a gym membership or meal plan, sleep is shaped by the environment around you.
The consultant added, “choosing a city that already has these conditions working in your favor is a good place to start.” Because the scores reflect perceived conditions, the ranking is a starting point, not a guarantee.
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