Green City Escapes: Exploring Europe’s Most Sustainable Cities
Discover the most sustainable European cities and the eco-friendly activities you can enjoy on your next green escape.
To all our readers, hope you are inspired by the magic of local and sustainable travel through Nina’s incredible storytelling! Thank you for writing this guest blog for Withlocals.
We took you on a trip through five sustainable travel destinations, you should check out as a conscious traveler. We talked about why Amsterdam, Reykjavik, and Copenhagen are setting a positive example for cities across the globe.
Today, we want to follow up on that journey by exploring other most eco-friendly cities in Europe. Read on for our top picks of Europe’s greenest cities for your next environment-friendly escape.
#1 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia is one of the greenest countries in Europe, and it keeps making significant efforts to promote environmental sustainability and green initiatives. It has been recognised for taking care of its biodiversity, use of renewable energy, and high recycling rates.
In 2016, Ljubljana carried the title of Europe’s Green Capital, and it certainly qualifies for our list of most sustainable European cities. Here is what you can expect when planning your trip to Ljubljana:
- Forests and green areas. An amazing 75% of the city is covered with green spaces — forests, fields, and parks. Talk about a city that breathes!
- 230km of cycling routes. Slovenia works hard to encourage sustainable transportation, and Ljubljana is a dream city for cycling enthusiasts.
- Free electric cars. If you don’t feel like riding a bike, you can explore the city with an electric car (Kavalir) that is free to use and handy to drive through the historic city center.
If you decide to prolong your trip to Ljubljana and explore Slovenia further, you will not regret it. Slovenia’s lovely Alpine mountains, forests, lakes, and coasts are examples of pure natural beauty, perfect for camping and trekking.
#2 Lisbon, Portugal
We have already talked about the charms to discover in Lisbon, a sunny and warm city on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. But did you know Lisbon was Europe’s Green Capital in 2020?
Lisbon aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050 while implementing eco-friendly initiatives across the city. Here are our top green activities to enjoy in Lisbon:
- Hiking. What makes this sun-bathed city unique is its placement on seven hills, which presents an ideal opportunity for exciting hikes for everyone interested in exploring the city on foot.
- Cycling around the city. Because of its hilly landscape, Lisbon offers the possibility for bike-sharing and e-bikes to help you pedal uphill. Enjoy some hidden corners of Lisbon on two wheels as you discover the amazing views of the city.
- Sustainable restaurants. Enjoy delicious flavours of traditional Portuguese cuisine with sustainable policies: organic farming, composting, and vegetarian-based kitchen.
Lisbon is known as a hospitable and friendly city, and you can rest assured that locals will be very helpful in showing you around and recommending excellent places. Apart from walking and cycling, you can get a ride with authentic Lisbon trams all around the city.
#3 Oslo, Norway
Many Scandinavian cities would easily make this list since these countries are highly committed to achieving ambitious environmental goals. What makes Oslo our favorite is its car-free areas around the city, lush parks, and eco-friendly districts.
Explore Oslo with locals, and don’t forget to check out our top sights:
- Vulkan. A neighbourhood run completely by solar power and geothermal wells, potentially the most environment-friendly district in Europe.
- Nearby forests. Oslo is surrounded by one-of-a-kind natural resorts filled with trekking and hiking trails for adventurous travellers.
- Surrounding islands. Take a ferry from Oslo’s waterfront and visit the islands for swimming, hiking, and checking out the medieval ruins on Hovedøya.
Oslo is very dedicated to green transportation and encourages public transport, cycling, and walking in the pedestrian districts in the city center. The sidewalk by the Akerselva river is ideal for a morning run on a sunny day. Unlock the Highlights and Hidden Gems of Oslo, guided by locals who have a deep connection to the city and its sustainable practices.
Honorable Mentions
Many European cities are working toward becoming more sustainable, supporting green initiatives, and promoting an environment-friendly way of life. Other cities worth visiting on your sustainable expedition in Europe are:
