A scenic city with coastal charm is named among the UK's most peaceful holiday destinations

Holidays are a time to relax, so swapping touristy cities for laid-back escapes really gives you a chance to unwind.

Experts have rounded up the UK's most peaceful cities, with part of Scotland topping the list.

Dundee has been crowned the UK's most relaxing city, according to research from Room Aromas, earning a 'Peaceful City Score' of 70.08.

Cities across Britain were ranked on factors such as the number of airports, population size, Air Quality Index, and walking tour availability from OurAirports, World Population Review, IQAir, and Tripadvisor.

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The UK's most peaceful cities

1. Dundee (70.08)
2. Swansea (69.61)
3. Leeds (69.33)
4. Edinburgh (66.01)
5. Newcastle upon Tyne (65.88)
6. Bath (65.25)
7. Plymouth (64.81)
8. Oxford (64.35)
9. Glasgow (61.20)
10. Cambridge (60.95)

Dundee is known as Scotland's City of Discovery, with lots of interesting museums, Victorian architecture and a vibrant waterfront.

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It is compact with a modest tourism footprint, meaning holidaymakers can easily stroll between key attractions without fighting off crowds.

A spokesperson for Room Aromas, Toby Branston, said: "Dundee represents what a lot of people are looking for when they think about peaceful living.

"The combination of clean air and a manageable population size means less congestion, less noise, and more space to breathe. It's proof that you don't need to be isolated to find tranquillity.”

Next on the list is Swansea, which offers visitors Welsh coastal charm thanks to its world-famous beaches and the nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Gower Peninsula.

Branston added: “Swansea shows that coastal cities can offer peace without sacrificing amenities. The sea air contributes to the clean environment, and the population is spread out enough to avoid the cramped feeling of major urban centres.”

Leeds ranked as the most peaceful city in England, with a score of 69.33. It had the best air quality on the list, and holidaymakers looking to explore can enjoy one of 21 walking tours.

Looking for more inspiration? A travel expert has shared where to visit in January, February and March. One destination was described as "perfect for a scenic escape".

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