Greek island among the 10 quietest in the world

A Greek island was ranked the quietest in Europe and the second quietest in the world.

In a world filled with noise and stress, travelers have begun seeking destinations that offer more peace and relaxation. According to recent studies, the "quietcation" is the travel trend that's become very popular in recent years. BookRetreats.com, a travel website for booking retreats, reports that searches for quiet destinations have risen significantly.

The website recently published the Unspoilt Index, a list of the world's calmest islands for travelers. The results draw on the expertise of researcher, author, and psychology professor Olga V. Lehmann, as well as satellite and mapping data for 100 islands across the globe, to identify which places remain truly quiet.

Greek island is the world's second quietest

travelgo.gr — Chora of Anafi / Source: Shutterstock

A Cycladic island that flies under the tourist radar emerged as Europe's quietest and the world's second quietest. Anafi, this small Aegean island with devoted admirers, has fewer than 300 residents across its 40 sq. km. This means there are almost 30 times fewer people per square kilometer than on bustling neighboring Santorini, which ranked 99th on the list.

Anafi scored 92 out of 100 for its unspoilt beauty, as it doesn't have an airport or major roads that could disrupt its tranquility. The island is so small you can cross it on foot. This serene island is the ideal destination for carefree, relaxing holidays, with its atmospheric Chora, the imposing monolith, and enchanting beaches sure to impress.

At its southeastern tip rises Kalamos, a limestone monolith considered the Mediterranean's second largest after Gibraltar. Climbing from the port of Agios Nikolaos, you'll reach Chora, the island's only organized settlement. Small, picturesque, and whitewashed, built amphitheatrically above the port at an elevation of 260 meters, like a balcony suspended over the Aegean, Anafi's Chora is one of the Aegean's most beautiful. The island's coastline stretches 38 km, offering around 19 beaches to choose from - among them, Roukounas, Kleisidi, and Katsouni, which stand out for their golden sand and turquoise waters.

The world's 10 quietest islands

According to the article by BookRetreats.com, quiet means something different to each of us. However, Lehmann argues there are real indicators that matter, such as low decibel levels in our environment and a place's natural and architectural qualities. That's how the list of the world's quietest islands was compiled, which you can see below.