If you are someone who cares about the environment and want to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling, then these eco-friendly cities should be on your bucket list. These cities are leading the way in sustainable living, with innovative solutions to reduce their impact on the environment. From green architecture to renewable energy, there are plenty of reasons to visit them. Here are ten of the best eco-friendly cities in the world, along with handy information you could use when there.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is one of the most eco-friendly cities in the world, known for its commitment to sustainability. From its impressive bike lane network to its sustainable building designs, Copenhagen has become a model for other cities around the world looking to become more eco-friendly.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers, the Green Solution House, Hotel Herman K, and Hotel Ottilia are all eco-friendly options in Copenhagen.
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Nudie Jeans, Dinesen, and WRENCHMONKEES are a few of the many eco-friendly stores to visit in Copenhagen.
Sustainable Lifestyle: Copenhagen's citizens are known for their love of biking, and the city has a well-developed bike lane system. The city also has an ambitious goal to become carbon-neutral by 2025.
What Makes It Special: Copenhagen has many green spaces, including the famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which incorporates sustainable practices in its operations.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Biking is the most popular mode of transportation in Copenhagen, but the city also has an efficient public transit system.
2. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is a city with the goal to become the world's greenest city by 2020. Its commitment to sustainability extends beyond its city limits, with a focus on preserving the surrounding natural beauty and wildlife through responsible tourism practices.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: The Fairmont Waterfront, the Listel Hotel, and the OPUS Hotel are a few of the eco-friendly accommodations available in Vancouver.
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: One of the most famous eco-friendly stores in Vancouver is the Soap Dispensary and Kitchen Staples, which offers package-free products.
Sustainable Lifestyle: Vancouver has a focus on green transportation, with bike lanes and an efficient public transit system. The city also has a zero-waste initiative and encourages composting and recycling.
What Makes It Special: Vancouver has a stunning natural landscape, with access to both the ocean and the mountains.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Vancouver has a well-developed bike lane network, an efficient public transit system, and bike-sharing programs.
3. Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that has made impressive strides toward sustainability. Despite being one of the most densely populated cities in the world, Singapore has implemented innovative solutions such as vertical farming and a comprehensive recycling program to reduce its environmental impact.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Park Royal on Pickering, the Shangri-La Hotel, and the Pan Pacific Singapore
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: The Green Collective SG and The Sustainability Project are two of the eco-friendly stores to visit in Singapore.
Sustainable Lifestyle: Singapore's citizens are encouraged to live sustainably through initiatives such as the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) program and a focus on green transportation.
What Makes It Special: Singapore is known for its vertical gardens, which help to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve air quality.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Singapore has an efficient public transit system and bike-sharing programs.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is a small city with a big commitment to sustainability. This city’s commitment to sustainability is rooted in its unique natural surroundings, with a focus on protecting the country's glaciers, geysers, and hot springs for future generations to enjoy.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina and Hotel Borg
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Feldur, Aurum Jewelry, and Hrim
Sustainable Lifestyle: Reykjavik has a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2040, and is making progress towards that goal through initiatives such as geothermal heating and a focus on green transportation.
What Makes It Special: Reykjavik's location near glaciers and hot springs offers unique opportunities for eco-friendly tourism.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Reykjavik has an efficient public transit system and bike-sharing programs.
5. Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city synonymous with sustainability, with a thriving community of eco-conscious residents. The sustainability efforts extend beyond environmental conservation, with a focus on promoting social equity and justice through initiatives such as community gardens and affordable housing programs.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: The Sentinel Hotel, Hotel Eastlund, and The Nines
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: EcoVibe Apparel, Paxton Gate, and Green Drop Garage
Sustainable Lifestyle: Portland has a focus on reducing waste and promoting green transportation, with initiatives such as the Portland Composts! program and bike-friendly infrastructure.
What Makes It Special: Portland is known for its thriving food and beer scene, with many establishments prioritizing sustainability in their operations.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Portland has an extensive bike lane network, an efficient public transit system, and bike-sharing programs.
6. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is a city with a long history of sustainability, with a focus on green transportation and renewable energy. Its commitment to sustainability has been recognized internationally, with the city winning numerous awards for its innovative solutions in areas such as waste management and sustainable urban planning.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Nordic Light Hotel, At Six Hotel, and Clarion Hotel Stockholm
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Myrorna, Judits Second Hand, and Grandpa
Sustainable Lifestyle: Stockholm has a focus on reducing its carbon footprint, with initiatives such as a congestion tax and a bike-friendly infrastructure.
What Makes It Special: Stockholm's archipelago offers unique opportunities for eco-friendly tourism, with many islands accessible by boat.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Stockholm has an efficient public transit system and bike-sharing programs.
7. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city famous for its bike culture, with more bikes than people in the city. Its bike-friendly infrastructure extends beyond the city center, with many scenic bike paths leading to nearby parks and attractions for eco-conscious travelers to explore.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: QO Amsterdam, Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam, and The Student Hotel Amsterdam City
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Nukuhiva and WAAR
Sustainable Lifestyle: Amsterdam's citizens are encouraged to live sustainably, with a focus on green transportation and a zero-waste initiative.
What Makes It Special: The canals offer unique opportunities for eco-friendly tourism, with electric boats available for rent.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Biking is the most popular mode of transportation in Amsterdam, but the city also has an efficient public transit system.
8. San Francisco, California
San Francisco's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its many green spaces, including Golden Gate Park, which is home to a variety of eco-friendly attractions such as a bison paddock and an organic garden.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Orchard Garden Hotel, Hotel VIA, and The Inn San Francisco
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Simple, Foggy Notion and Byrd’s Filling Station
Sustainable Lifestyle: San Francisco has a focus on reducing waste, with initiatives such as a zero-waste program and composting. The city also has a well-developed public transit system.
What Makes It Special: San Francisco's Golden Gate Park offers unique opportunities for eco-friendly tourism, with a range of activities available in the park.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: San Francisco has an efficient public transit system, bike-sharing programs, and electric car-sharing programs.
9. Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki's commitment to sustainability has been recognized internationally, with the city ranking as one of the most livable and sustainable cities in the world by the Global Green Economy Index.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Hotel Indigo Helsinki - Boulevard, Scandic Paasi, and Scandic Kallio
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Globe Hope, Beyond, and Lovia
Sustainable Lifestyle: Helsinki has a focus on renewable energy, with a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2035. The city also has a well-developed public transit system and bike-sharing programs.
What Makes It Special: Helsinki's location on the Gulf of Finland offers unique opportunities for eco-friendly tourism, with many islands accessible by boat.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Helsinki has an efficient public transit system and bike-sharing programs.
10. Oslo, Norway
Oslo is a city leading the way in sustainability, with a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Its sustainability efforts extend beyond the city limits, with a focus on promoting sustainable tourism in nearby natural areas such as the Oslo Fjord and the surrounding forests.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Scandic Vulkan Hotel, Amerikalinjen, and Hotel Bristol Oslo
Eco-Friendly Stores to Visit: Fretex Unika, Søstrene Grene, and H&M Conscious
Sustainable Lifestyle: Oslo has a focus on renewable energy and reducing waste, with initiatives such as a zero-emission zone in the city center and a waste-to-energy program.
What Makes It Special: Oslo's proximity to nature offers unique opportunities for eco-friendly tourism, with skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities available nearby.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: Oslo has an efficient public transit system, bike-sharing programs, and a well-developed electric car-sharing program.
