In a bustling and vibrant city like Rio de Janeiro, it can be difficult to find peace and quiet. But right there, along the state’s coastline, there is indeed a refuge. It’s Ilha Grande, in Angra dos Reis, considered one of the quietest islands among the 100 destinations evaluated in a global study. Read more here!
Ilha Grande ranks among the top 3 quietest islands in the world
According to BookRetreats.com, the world’s largest retreat platform, Google searches for “quiet destinations” have increased by 1,268% in one year.
As a result, the platform developed a global study, the Unspoilt Index, in collaboration with silence researcher, author, and psychology professor Olga V. Lehmann. In total, 100 islands around the world were analyzed to discover where silence still exists.
Among them is Ilha Grande, located off the coast of Angra dos Reis, which ranks third on the list. The destination is not only the highest-ranked island in the Americas but also the highest-ranked Portuguese-speaking island on the index.
So much so that it ranked well ahead of the Portuguese island of Ilha das Flores, in the Azores, which holds the 24th position.
What makes Ilha Grande a place of silence and tranquility?
To evaluate each island, the study considered six criteria, based on the European Environment Agency’s definition of a quiet area as a pleasant soundscape. These criteria are: preserved nature, few roads, low air traffic, low population density, a dark night sky, and natural coastal areas.
And the silence of Ilha Grande is the result of an unusual history. For nearly a century, the island was home to a maximum-security prison, which kept it isolated from large coastal developments.
When the prison was decommissioned in 1994, the island made a careful transition to ecotourism rather than mass tourism.
Also according to the study, the Atlantic Forest currently covers 90% of the island, which received a score of 95 out of 100 for natural preservation.
Another important fact is that there are no cars on the island. About 5,000 people live there, most in Vila do Abraão, and the only way to reach it is by boat from Angra dos Reis, Mangaratiba, or Conceição de Jacareí—just a few hours from Rio.
In addition to the village, the 147 km of coastline features more than 70 beaches and coves accessible on foot or by water taxi, including Lopes Mendes and Gruta do Acaiá.
Check out the list of the world’s quietest islands in 2026
In addition to Ilha Grande on the podium, the Greek island of Anafi took second place and is the quietest island in Europe.
First place went to Stewart Island, in New Zealand, where approximately 20,000 kiwis outnumber the 500 residents by a ratio of 40 to 1.
About 85% of the island is a national park, and it is also the southernmost International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet.
For more information and the complete ranking, visit the official website.
