Europe's Quietest Island Found
The Greek island of Anafi has been revealed as the quietest in Europe, with a score of 92 out of 100 for naturalness, and is just an hour from one of the continent's busiest islands
The Greek island of Anafi has been named the quietest island in Europe, according to the Unspoilt Index by BookRetreats.com. With a score of 92 out of 100 for naturalness, Anafi stands out for its lack of housing and near-empty beaches.
Anafi is a small island, with a population of just 300 people and covering an area of 40 sq km. Its remote location and limited development have helped to preserve its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.
The Unspoilt Index used insight from silence researcher Olga V. Lehmann and satellite and mapping data for 100 islands across the globe to determine the quietest islands. The index looked at six distinct criteria, including rich nature, few roads, low air traffic, uncrowded space, dark night skies, and natural coastal spots.
New Zealand's Stewart Island was found to be the most peaceful island in the world, with a unique feature being that the Stewart Island brown kiwi outnumbers the human population by 40 to one. The island has virtually no light pollution and is home to the world's southernmost International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Europe took ten spots in the top 25 quietest islands, with Anafi ranking first and St Martin's ranking fifth. The trend of seeking quiet destinations, referred to as 'quietcation', has seen searches increase by 1,268% year on year.
## Why it matters The desire for quiet and peaceful destinations is on the rise, as people seek to escape the crowds and noise of busy cities. The Unspoilt Index provides a useful guide for those looking to find unspoiled and serene locations. With the increasing popularity of 'quietcation', it is likely that more people will be seeking out destinations like Anafi and Stewart Island in the future.
## What happens next As the demand for quiet destinations continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these islands balance tourism with preservation of their natural environments. The Unspoilt Index will likely play a role in helping to identify and promote unspoiled locations, and it will be important for these destinations to manage tourism sustainably to maintain their peaceful atmospheres.
