9 European cities with inspiring green initiatives

Cities usually aren't the first place you'd think of when it comes to clean, pollution-free spaces, but as the fight against the climate crisis heightens, more urban centres are putting sustainability as a priority. From green-powered transport, to waste-free hotels and carbon-neutral goals, these are some of the top cities to visit in Europe with visions of a brighter future.

Impressively Ljubljana, and Slovenia as a whole, have been leading the way in a more environmentally-conscious way of working for nearly a decade, thanks to the Green Scheme. The national level certification programme awards hotels, guesthouses and other tourism-based businesses a 'Green stamp' for taking calculated steps towards a more sustainable operation. Their efforts are measured against expert-approved criteria which considers energy efficiency, waste management, community employment and local produce. If approved, the businesses are proudly promoted on Slovenia's official website, allowing travellers to engage with and support those taking sustainability seriously.

Poised on the the rugged Pembrokeshire Coast, humble St Davids is the UK’s smallest city, and is home to a wealth of old English pubs, locally-owned cafes and outdoor activity centres, which are all created around a community-first mindset. Experience rich local produce, with everything from farm-grown vegetables to locally-caught seafood, available at the likes of St Davids Gin & Kitchen, Blas and, if you're adventurous, at Dr Beynon's Bug Farm. While, the buzzing Thursday morning market is a great place for picking up keepsakes such as locally-made soaps, jewellery, artwork and homemade jam. The city is set within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, so great care is taken to look after the city's tranquil surroundings. Visitors can enjoy the landscape by foot, bicycle and horseback.

The Terceiran city of Angra de Heroísmo is a foodie haven, with most produce farmed locally within the Azores or in Portugal. As mealtimes are a highlight of the day, you'll find that the restaurants in the centre of town are busy throughout the day, especially from lunchtime onwards, as locals network with colleagues over seafood species of fresh fish, calamari and limpets. The spice-infused Alcatra – sirloin beef cooked in a local Verdelho wine – is a favourite by far and is only found in this region. Sweet Quinta do Martelo, a 16^th-century ethnographical centre and traditional farm-stay, lures visitors who want to learn about the city's diverse heritage with traditional local delicacies such as yellow lupin beans, corn bread, boiled potatoes and pickled sea fennel. Further south, Biscoitos winemakers work with farm-to-table restaurants to create mouthwatering bespoke menus that keep tourist expenditure within the community.

Norway’s capital was picked by Wanderlust editors as one our hot list destinations in 2022, and for good reason. The city has teamed up with FutureBuilt to produce a series of buildings which support climate friendly development and minimise the city’s carbon footprint. Some of the most recent projects include the Edvard Munch museum, dedicated to the life and work of ‘The Scream’ artist, and coming in June is the new National Museum of Norway, where visitors can browse more than 5,000 art, design and architectural works. There’s even been a whole new sustainable neighbourhood introduced to Oslo in recent years. Vulkan sits on the bank of the river Akerselva and has a local energy centre with geothermal wells, and buildings with solar water heating systems, to name a few of its great initiatives.

Although a 700-year-old city, Lithuania’s capital is surprisingly up to speed when it comes to urban sustainability.  A project named the Green Wave Initiative has brought together local communities and encouraged the planting of trees, shrubs and climbing vines around the city, transforming it into a more enjoyable, cosier green space and promoting afforestation. A total of 100,000 trees are expected to be planted during this two-year period. When it comes to outdoor spaces, Vilnius is already one of the greenest cities in Europe, with nearly 50% dedicated to gardens, parks, forests and other natural surrounds.

València is hard to beat in terms of its efforts for sustainability in recent years, but its eco-initiatives are shining especially bright now. First of all, it’s encouraging greener travel around the city. A new 5km metro line has been developed, several areas have been pedestrianised, and hundreds of kilometres of cycle routes have been constructed. You can also tuck into some scrumptious Spanish cuisine, including València's favourite dish, paella, while knowing the ingredients have not travelled far at all, as the city is surrounded by natural pantries of fields and the Mediterranean sea. All this and much more has been recognised, as the city was awarded the crown of European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2022.

Another one for the Nordics, but this Swedish city is really a leading example of how destinations should be fighting the climate crisis. Gothenburg has won the title of World’s Most Sustainable Destination by the Global Sustainability Index several years in a row. It’s had an impressive turn-around since the 1980s, when it was once considered a polluted port town. Now, it’s as green as you can get. When you visit, it’s likely you’ll be staying in a hotel which is eco-certified, with many sourcing their electricity from wind turbines, recycling most of their waste, and have said good riddance to any single-use plastic. In fact, you’ll find sustainability wherever you wander among the neoclassical architecture, from the local restaurants and cafes to local clothing shops. Even the air has been cleaned. A trip to green Gothenburg is truly inspirational.

The ‘Capital of the French Alps’ also claimed another ‘capital’ title in 2022 – European Green Capital. Probably best known for its Bastille Hill cable car, Grenoble has also built a reputation for its sustainability. Getting around has never been easier with more than 300km of cycle lanes developed, and the city has also planted more than 5,500 trees in the past eight years, so you can explore Grenoble's historic castles, churches and forts while admiring the new growth, and know this is a city looking to the future.

A previous Green Capital winner is the oldest city in the Netherlands. Although it will feel you’ve gone back in time on a trip to Nijmegen, with its historic streets, architecture and plazas, the city is actually looking ahead. One of its award-winning projects was its River Waal flood defence, which has combined to make a recreational space for the locals. Nijmegen is also home to one of only seven Green Michelin Star food establishments in the Netherlands. Restaurant de Nieuwe Winkel's head chef forages for local ingredients, including mosses, leaves, plants and fungi. Many of the hotels here are ensuring sustainability is at the forefront, while a transportation project called Zonnentrein (meaning the sun train) is a solar-powered public bus across the city.

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