What place in Europe do you now go to just relax?

Croatia. Not many big sights, probably just Plitvice Lakes, and no world class, must see museums. The cities themselves are living museums such as Split, Dubrovnik, Korčula. Long coast line with beautiful beaches and walkways along the water lined with cafes for people watching and scenic views. Ability to island hop with a multitude of ferries.
A dear friend had a stroke last year. He recovered 90% which is amazing. His Dr. told him he can travel. Him and his wife will come with us to Croatian late September. It will be a nice, easy vacation, not too much walking. Not a go-go vacation by any means.

A PS, didn’t read all the way through, not a new place, but all true.

Rural Italy, at a remote agriturismo. Sights were some distance away, so while it was possible to go and see stuff, we mostly hung out and relaxed in the country setting. Have done that in southwestern Tuscany, close to the coast, and in southern Umbria, away from any fluent English speakers.

Its a story. I went to Vienna almost exactly 20 years ago. Vienna is a wonderful city, but for some reason I just didnt like it. Back then i could hardly afford to travel much less end up someplace that wasnt "wonderful" for me. So the thrid day i took a train to this G-d forsaken, soot encrusted, post commie hell hole called Budapest. In 4 hours I was in love. 18 months till the next vacation .... straight to Budapest, then 18, then 12, then 12, then 9, then..... well.... I really went overboard Its the one place where i can go and have no worries, be comfortable and just relax.

Iceland. Our first visit was a 3 day stopover and we fell in love with it. We keep going back as there is so much more to see, but it is also a great place to just sit back and take it the beauty.

Italy, smaller towns as a base, same for Spain.

Lucca in Tuscany - small walled city with a settling vibe. Easy to feel like a local.
Cassis - away from the hectic Riviera. Great beaches, restaurants and hiking.
Collioure - quiet romantic French seaside town.
St. Jean de Luz - same as above.
Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca - small Spanish cities with excellent sights, shopping and quiet evenings.
Staufen, Germany - real laidback with excellent biking and wine.
Cefalu, Sicily - beautiful seaside town with great passigiata.
Lake Bled
Anywhere in the Salzkammergut other than Hallstatt.
Rovinj in Istria - great seaside town with islands and beaches to explore.
I could go on and on….I can’t wait to leave next week for a summer of European travel!

Bretagne (Brittany) France. Small seaside villages. Some sights (walled towns), some churches. Outside religious statues. The primary food is the galette or buck-wheat crepe. The drink is more hard cider than wine. It's a Celtic area, so a lot of music sounds like Celtic music. We have friends there, so we will visit again next spring.

Majorca, Spain, love the island, the beaches are awesome and the whole place is very relaxed.

London, each and every time.

The Luberon area in France.

Paris. Yes, Paris. We've been several times and have checked virtually every sight off our list. We are returning in early September and hoping for great weather and fewer tourists than in the summer. Just strolling--Parc Monceau, Place de Vosges, Pere Lachaise, Montmartre, bridges, the Seine, Île de la Cité, etc., sitting outside at cafes.

(We were last there in December so lots of museums to be inside and too much planned.) Exhausting.
I'll be following this topic for other suggestions--Croatia sounds great.
Oxford and Cambridge are also sweet places to "take it easy" and just stroll.
Ah, yes, the Luberon!

Naxos, Greece

Most often a small town in France or one in Germany for the purpose of relaxing, finding tranquility, etc.

To give a specific answer to the question, the answer is Lüneburg....originally. Since the first time in 1971, I've been back there too many times to count, both day trips from Hamburg or Lübeck and overnighters too, my last visit to Lüneburg was in 2018.

Fischland-Darss-Zingst on the German Baltic Sea coast (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania). This is my favorite place to relax.

For a laid back, take each day as it comes visit, 2 places spring to mind. For a city stay: London. We know it so well, and there's always something to do. For something more small town: Oberammergau. It was home for 3 years and we have good friends there.

I have been retired since 2010 and can relax all that I want at home, so when I travel, I want to take in the sights.

We do tours, do it yourself, and take cruises in conjunction with land travel.
We find cruises can be very relaxing between ports.

I've been to Croatia a few times. Last October I went back to Split and spent a few days just island hopping. This is the end of the season in Croatia (maybe just beyond) and weather can be iffy, but it was nice while I was there. No rain, still warm temperatures. The ferry rides were really fun and easy - I could wake up and decide that day which island to go to. (I wound up loving Vis the most and went back to spend two more nights there.) Split makes a nice base for this and itself a chill, easy place to visit.

So this would be a relaxing, no-stress vacation and not expensive except for the high season of July and August.

What’s with all the relaxing? Many posts about that, and in smaller towns. So, what do you do exactly for this relaxing? If I am in a small place I hope it at least has some daytime activities, like a beach or hiking. Otherwise, what’s up.
Like other posts, I do not go to relax. But, am I missing something?

A town or small city in Italy and London, I love London!

I don't spend the money and go thru the hassles of flying to relax. Staying at home is much more relaxing.

Originally, biking through the Lüneburger Heide was my R&R. Then I went to Binz auf Rügen island (Baltic Sea) and fell in love with the beach and the area. Even 85 years after it became my father's "liebling insel", and all the changes in those years, it still spoke to me. Have been back numerous times, and would go tomorrow if I could. ❤

Hardly known outside of Poland, but one of my go to spots for some R&R are the Silesian Beskids, at the tail end of the Western Carpathians, where Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia meet. I've been specifically drawn to the area around Ustron (the only town in Poland with a majority Lutheran population) and Wisła, a popular spa town from Austrian Aristocrats to later Communist Working Class, a bit like in the film Grand Budapest Hotel.

Over my 3-4 visits I've found it's an excellent place for hiking, fishing, hot springs, camping, skiing, mountain biking, even "forest bathing" with only local Poles in sight. The region's rich cultural heritage, including its Góral Highlander traditions, is another major draw for me. I've had a great time exploring the charming mountain villages, traditional wooden chalets, and various museums showcasing local history and folk art.

Even the Polish President has his Presidential Castle in these Silesian Beskid mountains. Makes for a great less touristy alternative to Zakopane!

Stresa, Italy

I love Stresa and returned again as the first small location during my last two solo trips to Italy. I’ve not been known for relaxing much while on vacation, but since retirement I’m taking time for at least some mental relaxation. This is my place to get over jet lag and feel like there’s nothing I have to do but relax & enjoy being there!

Vienna.....