Hectic UK city inexplicably named one of the world’s most tranquil destinations

There are many words to describe London, but ‘tranquil’ isn’t exactly the first that comes to mind.

Vibrant? Yes. Beautiful? At times. But anyone who has been on the Tube during rush hour will be all too aware it’s not a city known for being zen.

However, according to a new study, London has ranked seventh in a list of the most tranquil holiday destinations, beating out the likes of Cancun in Mexico, and Lanzarote in Spain.

The list was based on several factors, including the number of spas available, nearby beaches, nature and wildlife tours and air pollution levels.

London placed highly due to it being a hub for yoga and Pilates venues – having the most out of any of the other locations.

And while we’re still not sure the capital deserves the dizzying heights of the seventh most tranquil destination, there are places in London where you can unwind.

From Richmond Park to Hampstead Heath, central London’s green spaces are vast, and you can easily find a quiet spot to read a book and have some ‘me time’.

Speaking of which, the reading room at the British Library is as good as any silent retreat. And, while the Southbank might be a popular tourist spot, taking a stroll along the river on a summer’s evening is a form of meditation in itself.

London is also home to a secret nature reserve in Islington. Barnsbury Wood has various species of wildlife, according to the council, like the long-tailed tit, lesser stag beetle, common toad and the sixteen-spot ladybird.

Elsewhere on the list, Crete in Greece claimed the top spot. Just the sight of those blue skies and sandy beaches would be enough to make anyone relax, but the research by SkyParkSecure, found that it has an impressive 227 beaches – from the remote Agiofarago Beach, which you can only reach by boat or foot, or Elafonisi, which also boasts calm, shallow waters.

The popular island also has the greatest number of hotels offering yoga, at 115, as well as a staggering 1,944 hotels with pools – if the idea of sand in your bikini makes you scream rather than snooze.

Second on the list was Phuket in Thailand, with Dubai claiming third place.

Phuket, famed for it’s breathtaking scenery is perhaps an obvious addition to the list. Phang-Nga Bay is a popular spot for visitors, where you can see the waters lit up at night with bioluminescent plankton.

While Dubai is known for it’s skyscrapers and boozy brunches, the UAE city is a great place to unwind too.

It has the second highest number of nature and wildlife tours – with many tourists heading out into the vast desert, and catching sight of camels or gazelles.

There’s also the Dubai Miracle Garden, with it’s epic display of brightly coloured flowers.

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