Slow travel – staying longer in a destination and experiencing local life at a slower pace – continues to grow in popularity. A new analysis from travel eSIM app Saily points out Kyoto as the world's best city for slow and experiential travel.
According to Google, searches on ”slow travel Italy” doubled in 2026, while the BBC highlighted slow travel as one of the year's top travel trends. In addition, 91 percent of travelers that they are actively seeking more conscious and less stressful travel experiences.
“We see people leaving the ten-city-in-two-week model behind. Instead, they want to get to know a place in depth, create routines and connect with local life,” says Matas Cenys, product manager at Saily.
Kyoto at the top
Saily has analyzed 50 cities around the world based on five criteria: safety, ease of settling, mobility, sense of community and range of experiences.
The five highest-ranked destinations are:
- Kyoto, Japan – combines high security, affordable accommodation, efficient public transport and a rich cultural offering.
- Fukuoka, Japan – is highlighted for its high quality of life, good accessibility and everyday-friendly environment.
- Porto, Portugal – offers walkable neighborhoods, local markets and a vibrant café scene.
- Vienna, Austria – combines a rich cultural offering with a high level of safety and well-functioning public transport.
- Hue, Vietnam – attracts with low living costs, high security and a strong local everyday life.
Can contribute to better health
According to the study, there are also health benefits to traveling at a slower pace. Research from Australia shows that slow travel can reduce chronic stress, strengthen the immune system and contribute to better mental well-being.
Four tips for a longer stay
Saily recommends that anyone planning a month-long trip:
- book long-term accommodation in good time,
- arrange mobile connection, for example via eSIM, before departure,
- identify local meeting places such as cafes and markets to quickly enter everyday life,
- Share travel plans and accommodation details with relatives for increased security.
The analysis is based on data from 50 international destinations and weighs factors such as safety, accommodation conditions, accessibility, community and local experiences to identify the most attractive cities for longer stays.
