A sustainable city is engineered to reduce its environmental impact through effective ways and processes that do not compromise the city’s social, economic, and cultural welfare. Accessible public transportation systems, the establishment of walkable and bikeable areas, regeneration and preservation of public green spaces, implementation of renewable energy techniques, and proper waste management are among the characteristics of a sustainable city. Many cities worldwide are gearing up for these initiatives to address the current issues that directly affect the residents’ quality of life and create a healthy space for future generations to thrive.
Travelers can take part by practicing responsible tourism, and this is often possible in small ways, such as supporting local businesses, eating at restaurants with locally and ethically sourced food, or opting for sustainable accommodations. If this piques your interest and you want a purposeful getaway, read this article about the top sustainable cities in the world.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on June 29, 2025.
1. Reykjavík, Iceland
Excellent buffet breakfast with plenty of options, including vegan offerings; delicious dinner buffet and on-site bar with a great beer selection
Reasonable pricing for a central location with convenient parking options
Conveniently located within walking distance to the city center, near bus stops for tours and airport transportation
Spacious, clean rooms with modern bathrooms and heated floors; on-site beer garden and gym; tour desk available
Iceland’s magnificent capital and largest city is Reykjavík. The capital city is literally green, spanning about 4,423 square feet (411 square meters) of green space per person, according to the Green City Index. Moreover, the city prides itself on being one of the world’s leading renewable energy capitals, pioneering the utilization of geothermal power for citywide district heating. It also sources its electricity mostly from hydroelectricity and geothermal energy.
While in Reykjavík, there are plenty of green experiences for every traveler. Classic city walks around the capital are free, starting from the green clock tower in Lækjartorg Square. Eco-concious hotels, such as Fosshotel Reykjavík, Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, and Reykjavik Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels, can provide a restful slumber after an action-packed day.
Book Your Stay: Fosshotel Reykjavík
Book Your Stay: Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel
Book Your Stay: Reykjavik Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
2. Vancouver, Canada
Excellent nearby dining options, complimentary morning coffee, and a well-regarded onsite restaurant.
Reasonable pricing for a central location, though some find it pricey.
Conveniently situated on Robson Street, close to shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Free eBike use, complimentary French Press coffee, and water dispenser on each floor.
Ranked among the world’s top sustainable cities, Vancouver boasts scenic beauty and a picturesque setting. Its steadfast commitment to sustainability is evidenced by the 77 green spaces dotting the city, and over 90% of the city’s energy is supplied by renewable sources.
Around 18% of the city is composed of urban forests. Stanley Park is the most extensive park in the city, offering travelers and locals a 1,000-acre (404-hectare) urban oasis to catch fresh air and immerse in nature. This place also features wide bike lanes and miles of cycling trails for eco-friendly transportation. Even select accommodations here practices sustainability. One of which is The Listel Hotel Vancouver, which has 20 solar panels and has been 100% zero waste since 2011. Other hotel options include Hotel BLU and Fairmont Pacific Rim.
Book Your Stay: The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Book Your Stay: Hotel BLU
Book Your Stay: Fairmont Pacific Rim
3. Helsinki, Finland
Environmentally-friendly lifestyles are greatly encouraged in Helsinki to achieve the goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2035. Travelers are also motivated to partake in this mission, and several sustainable opportunities for recreation are in store. With the city’s lush foliage, picking funnel mushrooms at Nuuksio National Park became one of the local’s favorite pastimes.
Certified by Green Key and Sustainable Travel Finland, VALO Hotel & Work Helsinki is one of the outstanding hotels in the city. The hotel’s electricity comes from wind, solar, and hydropower energy, and its restaurant serves local and seasonal organic food. Noli Sörnäinen’s serviced apartments and Scandic Helsinki Hub are other accommodation options with exemplary sustainable practices as well.
Meanwhile, if you have a penchant for the arts, you can visit green museums and art spaces, such as Helsinki Art Museum and the avant-garde Oodi in Helsinki City Library. Helsinki Art Museum hosts the international art event, Helsinki Biennial, to showcase a collection of contemporary artworks from various artists worldwide.
Book Your Stay: VALO Hotel & Work Helsinki
Book Your Stay: Noli Sörnäinen
Book Your Stay: Scandic Helsinki Hub
4. Cape Town, South Africa
A trip to South Africa will only be complete once you step foot in its legislative capital Cape Town. The capital city has been recognized as the greenest city in Africa. The city developed a network of cycle lanes and clean public transportation to promote less reliance on finite fossil fuels and reduce noise and air pollution. That aside, renewable energy provides electricity to select parts of the metropolis.
Referred to as “the Mother City,” Cape Town has birthed a fascinating history and vibrant street art scene. Enjoy picnics with your family in the well-preserved Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, or saunter around Robben Island to learn about the city’s notorious past.
If you’re visiting soon, consider booking accommodation at Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport for a 100% offset carbon-neutral stay. Alternatively, choose The Tree House Boutique Hotel by The Living Journey Collection, which uses biodegradable products, or Vineyard Hotel, which collects greywater and has 148 solar panels.
Book Your Stay: Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Book Your Stay: Vineyard Hotel
Book Your Stay: The Tree House Boutique Hotel by The Living Journey Collection
5. San Francisco, California
There is no better place than San Francisco if your travel goal is to explore a sustainable city in America. It has constantly secured the top position in the lists of America’s greenest cities over that time, thanks to its consistent effort to fuse sustainability goals with different sectors.
As an alternative to the air toxic produced by traditional transportation modes, the city has introduced a pro-bike environment with interconnected bike trails and many e-bikes spread across the city. Initiatives such as recycling have also been implemented here. For your stay, the LEED-NC®-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Orchard Garden Hotel is an excellent home base. For other accommodation options, try booking at Harbor Court Hotel or Argonaut Hotel, a Noble House Hotel.
Another fantastic thing about this city is that tourists can indulge in sustainable fine-dining cuisine at Atelier Crenn or Wildseed. These restaurants serve delicious vegan meals from locally sourced and organic ingredients.
Book Your Stay: Orchard Garden Hotel
Book Your Stay: Argonaut Hotel, a Noble House Hotel
Book Your Stay: Harbor Court Hotel
6. Portland, Oregon
Portlanders abide by the green principles quite solemnly, making it one of the major reasons Portland is now considered one of the prime sustainable destinations in the world. Offering more than 250 miles (402 kilometers) of accessible bike paths and trails, most residents have become confident with using bicycles as a primary mode of transportation.
Further, over a quarter of the city’s total energy comes from natural resources. More than a hundred green buildings are scattered around Portland as well. For sustainable activities, you can join a walking tour in downtown Portland or visit ReBuilding Center to learn about the non-profit organization’s initiatives and join their classes.
You will also experience a sustainable stay in this city if you book accommodation with The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland. This hotel uses energy-saving LED lights and has a water collection system. Kimpton Riverplace Hotel, an IHG Hotel is another eco-conscious accommodation that recycles its wastes. Meanwhile, Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold-certified hotel that provides ethically sourced food.
Book Your Stay: The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland
Book Your Stay: Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District
Book Your Stay: Kimpton Riverplace Hotel by IHG
7. Berlin, Germany
Excellent breakfast, emphasis on organic sustainability, and a great restaurant and cafe.
Competitive pricing for a central Berlin hotel with eco-friendly focus.
Conveniently located with easy access to transport and attractions.
Sustainable practices, cozy atmosphere, free candies, and bike rentals.
Timeless and elegant are words that are often associated with Berlin for its classical charm and architectural grandeur. However, there is more to this quaint German capital! It has embedded sustainability in its way of life. The city boasts solar-powered ferry links and dining venues that return compost food to farmers and green events. It has also exemplified firm support to the local community, earning a Fair Trade certification.
This romantic city packs a punch of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and certified organic eco-accommodations, so travelers will surely be spoiled for choice. Lulu Guldsmeden is one of the hotels in this place with eco-essentials and an organic restaurant and bar. Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s Berlin and The Circus Hotel are other hotels to consider as well.
Some of Berlin’s best sustainable attractions are Tempelhof Field, Dicke Marie, and Ökowerk.
Book Your Stay: Lulu Guldsmeden
Book Your Stay: Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's Berlin
Book Your Stay: The Circus Hotel
8. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm’s dedication to pursuing sustainable initiatives throughout the years paid off when the city was hailed as Europe’s first European Green Capital in 2010. The city immensely invested in the cycling infrastructure to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases. In 2022, the official eBikes project was launched, allowing locals and travelers to rent a bike everywhere in the city for eco-friendly and accessible mobility.
The Nordic Ecolabelled Långholmen Hotell, which supports forestry projects, will ensure a purposeful and comfy stay in the city. Downtown Camper by Scandic is another hotel choice. However, if you want to experience a self-catering hostel that converts food waste to biofertilizer and uses eco-labeled products, consider staying at STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen.
You can also include Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history, Nordiska Museet, in your itinerary to understand the Nordic lifestyle from then to now. When purchasing food items to take home from the markets, be sure to check if the products have a KRAV label, only given to sustainable commodities.
Book Your Stay: Långholmen Hotell
Book Your Stay: Downtown Camper by Scandic
Book Your Stay: STF Stockholm Skeppsholmen Vandrarhem
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
This beautiful city in the Netherlands is the global epitome of sustainable economic and climate action, as it is the first in the world to adopt the doughnut economic model. This visual framework ensures a perfect balance between the people’s quality of life and ecological viability.
Boasting lovely canals and expansive cycle paths, you can also discover the city’s traditional Dutch villages in different transport modes. All of the city’s canals are accessible via riding a bicycle, so expect to travel leisurely around the city. You can even witness the dreamy sunsets as you board a canoe through the Dutch marshes.
This city even offers sustainable accommodations such as the 100% organic Conscious Hotel Amsterdam City - The Tire Station powered by solar and wind energy. Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam is another energy-neutral hotel that collects rainwater for its indoor garden. Moreover, Hotel BOAT & CO supports local farmers and uses seasonal ingredients for its restaurant.
Book Your Stay: Conscious Hotel The Tire Station
Book Your Stay: Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam
Book Your Stay: The July - Boat & Co
10. Copenhagen, Denmark
If you are searching for a sustainable city in Denmark, the capital is the right place to visit. Copenhagen is home to a vast network of bike paths, a massive fleet of electric harbor ferries, and a plethora of accommodations holding eco-certifications.
One of its eco-friendly accommodation providers includes the solar-powered Coco Hotel, which supports the Eden Reforestation Projects by donating one tree per guest’s nightly stay. On the other hand, Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden is a Green Globe-certified hotel with a NASA-technology shower system that recycles water and converts food waste to biofuel. With smart and functional solutions for minimum space and an energy-efficient system in an urban setting, Zoku Copenhagen’s serviced apartments are also excellent accommodations.
Denmark even envisions being the first country to be completely independent of fossil fuels by 2050. This long-term goal is exhibited in many green solutions executed in the country’s capital, such as integrating offshore wind turbines, shifting to solar and wind energy for citywide power, and increasing electric buses, among many others.
For rewarding and sustainable activities, you can try camping on a floating pontoon or pick up litter as you paddle on the city’s waterways.
Book Your Stay: Coco Hotel
Book Your Stay: Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden
Book Your Stay: Zoku Copenhagen
Make well-informed travel decisions
Many may perceive a sustainable city as a place with green spaces and infrastructure. While this is true to a certain extent, being a sustainable city is more than being green. It also taps the social, cultural, and economic soundness.
Get a one-of-a-kind chance to immerse yourself in the local communities and help positively impact the environment. Wondering how? Make well-informed travel decisions that will benefit you, the environment, and the community! Explore the top sustainable cities in the world for a meaningful experience.
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