London among Europe’s worst cities for sleep, new index finds
London is one of the worst major European cities for a good night’s sleep, ranking 20th out of 25 in a new index assessing how urban conditions affect sleep quality for residents and visitors.
The European Sleep Index 2026, produced by home appliance company Coway, compares sleep conditions across 25 major European cities using environmental and lifestyle data closely linked to night-time disruption, including noise, light pollution and air quality.
London recorded a score of 36.12 out of a possible 70 under the index’s penalty-based scoring system, placing it firmly in the lower tier and behind several cities of comparable size and tourist volume. Zurich ranked first overall, followed by Amsterdam and Stockholm. Prague ranked last, with Warsaw and Barcelona also among the weakest performers. Lower ranking cities are characterised by sustained night-time noise, higher traffic levels and dense areas of late-night activity, often concentrated in central districts.
Rodney Ryu, Managing Director, Coway Europe, said sleep quality in cities is affected as much by environmental conditions as by personal habits. He said: “Travellers often assume poor sleep is just part of visiting a busy city, but the data shows that some destinations manage night time conditions far better than others. Noise exposure and air quality, in particular, have a direct impact on how well people sleep, whether they live in a city or are staying for a few nights.”
Noise exposure was identified as a primary factor affecting sleep quality in London, alongside air pollution and long commuting patterns that extend activity late into the night. High levels of traffic, nightlife and background noise across many boroughs contribute to disrupted sleep, particularly in areas with a high concentration of hotels and short-stay accommodation.
The index suggests that city size alone does not determine sleep outcomes. Paris, which faces similar pressures from density, tourism and transport demand, ranked higher overall, indicating that planning, environmental controls and night-time management play a role.
Top ranking cities performed well due to lower noise levels and better control of night-time conditions. Zurich benefited from very low light pollution and moderate air quality, while Amsterdam and Stockholm combined cleaner air with urban design features such as water, green space and traffic management that help buffer noise.
At the bottom of the table, Prague’s score was driven by high alcohol consumption, smoking rates and elevated noise pollution. Barcelona ranked third from bottom and recorded the highest noise pollution score in the study, reflecting the impact of tourism, nightlife and dense residential areas.
The European Sleep Index assesses cities using seven indicators: light pollution, fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), population exposure to harmful noise levels, smoking rates, alcohol consumption and average sleep duration. Each indicator is measured using a standardised penalty-point system, with lower scores indicating better sleep conditions.
Ryu added: “Poor sleep is not an inevitable part of urban travel. Cities that take noise reduction, air quality and night-time planning seriously create better conditions not just for residents, but for visitors as well.”