City trips Europe: our 'top 5' most sustainable cities
You want to leave your everyday life behind and collect new impressions while traveling? It's often no different for us. We love to explore different places and let the culture of other countries affect us.
During our city trips in Europe we have experienced a lot in the past years and collected the best tips for you. Here we present you the most beautiful cities in Europe, which are absolutely worth seeing and sustainable.
City breaks in Europe: These reasons speak for it
A vacation is always very individual. Sometimes you want to go to a tiny house in the countryside, other times you want to enjoy absolute silence on a retreat vacation, and then there are days when you want to experience and see as much as possible.
No question, every trip has its own charm. We especially love city trips in Europe for three reasons:
1. sustainable travel: If you take a city trip in Europe, you save on long-haul flights and thus CO2. In most cases, you can even avoid flying altogether - after all, cities are usually easy to reach by train.
2. "Just a short trip away": Our vacation days are limited - and so are the days off when we can travel. The beauty of a city break in Europe is that even a long weekend is enough to see new things and collect great memories. If you travel from Thursday to Sunday, you only have to take two days off, but you can take four days off.
3. great cultural offer: From theater to events to a diverse gastro scene - cities have a lot to offer. There is something for everyone. You can decide for yourself what and how much you want to experience.
Top 5: The best cities for sustainable vacations
Here come the most beautiful European cities that are paving the way to a greener future and are ideal for a city break in Europe:
#1 Rotterdam
To help responsible travelers know where to vacation most sustainably, Kayak has created a ranking. The list includes 70 European cities and takes into account factors such as public, greener transportation, the availability of hotels with sustainable credentials, and offering experiences that help the environment and local community.
Rotterdam landed in first place here. In recent years, the Dutch city has become an innovative eco-city with its own unique harbor charm. Here, edgy, modern architecture meets Dutch coziness - with a range of experiences that leave a minimal carbon footprint. Stroll through small boutiques, marvel at the bright yellow cube houses designed by architect Piet Blom, take a harbor tour or sit down with an Amstel on a typical Dutch terrace and take in the hustle and bustle.
Our tip: Rent a bike and explore the city by bike. The Nieuwe Werk harbor area is particularly beautiful. Here you can see old sailing boats and get some fresh air.
#2 Copenhagen
Copenhagen is known as one of the most sustainable cities. In 2014, it even received the title of the European Green Capital. The Scandinavians are doing everything they can to become the world's first CO2-neutral capital by 2025. This is particularly evident in the streetscape: the Danes rely on bicycles.
It's only natural that we also explore the city by bike. And find out: There are great bike paths, fortunately only a few streets with inclines and for those who like it even more comfortable, enough e-bike rentals.
We start our tour at the "Hotel Coco" - an accommodation that sets new standards in terms of sustainability: When the owner bought the hotel a few years ago, he also purchased a solar park to be able to supply the building with its own energy. But that's not all: a tree is planted for every guest who checks in, the building has a "Green Key" certification, and plastic is avoided as much as possible here.
We cycle from Vesterbro to Nørrebro. Our first stop is at Bæst for one of the best Neapolitan pizzas in Europe. All ingredients are 100% organically grown on their own "Farm of Ideas".
After this unique refreshment, we continue cycling through the city - over the Arch Bridge, past Rosenborg Castle, to the Little Mermaid. It is simply wonderful to experience the city at your own pace and to stop whenever you feel like it.
Our tip: On "Visit Copenhagen" you can find the most different bike routes through Copenhagen. Or you can book a GoBoat. These are small boats that are powered by solar energy and offer you a unique view of the Opera, the Black Diamond Library and other sights from the water.
#3 Lisbon
A city trip in Europe - and still in the countryside. This is possible in Lisbon. Countless parks ensure that you feel connected to Mother Earth, even though you are in the middle of the action. For example, there is Parque Eduardo VII, famous for its greenhouses, or the Gulbenkian Gardens, which combine culture and nature and invite you to art museums and theaters.
Or you can enjoy the botanical diversity in the "green heart of Lisbon" - the Parque Florestral de Montsanto - which has a green area of 800 hectares and thus offers enough space for a picnic under trees.
How do you get here? Quite simple, by bike. Or by streetcar. This is particularly popular in Lisbon and with its old, picturesque style also a real sight. An insider tip is line 28 from St. George's Castle. It takes you for ten kilometers through the most beautiful areas of the city.
Speaking of the city, you don't have to be in the park to feel the green mindset in Lisbon. The gastronomic scene in particular focuses on sustainability with seasonal, regional dishes. Don't miss the LX Factory, a creatively revived factory site that stood empty for many years and has now been given a new lease of life - with culinary highlights and street art by local artists.
Our tip: Combine your city trip to Lisbon with a surf retreat on the Portuguese coast. That way you save twice the journey and a lot of CO2.
#4 Ljubljana
When you think of city breaks in Europe, the first thing that comes to mind are the big metropolises. But there are some "hidden gems" like Ljubljana. Slovenia's capital will inspire you with a cityscape that is not only historically valuable but also absolutely clean. In fact, avoiding waste plays a big role here. Ljubljana was the first European city to commit to a zero-waste goal. For your city trip, this means that if you forget your hair care products, you can easily fill up with new shampoo at a vending machine.
The next special sustainability factor: Since 2008, Ljubljana's city center has been completely closed to car traffic. This means that you can take a relaxed stroll through the city and see all the sights at your leisure. Or you can jump on the "Urban". This is a small electric streetcar that takes you from the City Hall to the Ljubljana Castle along all the hotspots.
Our tip: If you're looking for a sustainable hotel in Ljubljana, look for the "Slovenia Green" seal. Here you can find the complete list for Slovenia.
#5 Stockholm
Once again we go back to Scandinavia. This time, however, to Sweden, or more precisely: to Stockholm. We love the city for its historic architecture, its proximity to the water and the "hyggeligen" charm that all the cafes and public places exude.
We get from A to B by electric bus, which connects all parts of the city and travels from island to island. If you look out the window, you will quickly understand why the city is also called the "Venice of the North": It goes over some bridges, through winding alleys and past classic house facades.
The e-buses are intended to help make Stockholm CO2-neutral by 2040. A goal that doesn't seem so impossible: since 1990, carbon dioxide emissions per citizen:in have been reduced by 25%. Stockholm is also committed to combating energy waste. For example, the heat generated in data centers is recycled. 140,000 apartments are to be "heated with the Internet". Sounds like science fiction? In a way, yes. That's why we're not surprised that Stockholm holds the title of the "smartest city in the world." (Source: Euronews).
We find a detour to the market hall "Östermalms saluhall", which was built in 1880, particularly clever. Or to the Vasa Museum, where you can explore a salvaged shipwreck from the 17th century. Relax in one of the cute cafés in Gamla Stan. On our last city trip to Stockholm, we couldn't get enough of the vegan cinnamon buns - the kanelbullar - at S:t Paul Bageri.
Our tip: If you want to stay in a sustainable hotel in the center that has its own rooftop terrace, Hobo might be something for you.
The most beautiful cities in Europe: The price comparison
We've now introduced you to five cities for city breaks in Europe and revealed our tips. The question remains, how do the destinations compare in price?
To put it simply, the higher you go on the world map, the higher the prices. This means that the most northerly destinations - Stockholm and Copenhagen - are the most expensive, while Lisbon and especially Ljubljana attract with lower prices.
Rotterdam is more in the middle - geographically as well as price-wise. This applies not only to your accommodation, but also to the food in the restaurants and the entrance fees to museums and the like.
Our savings tip: Book your city trip in Europe in good time - a few weeks before you want to go. Often you can get "early bird deals" in hotels and train tickets are still much cheaper. What else is advisable besides booking in time?
4 tips for sustainable city trips in Europe
1. city ticket: Many cities now offer the so-called "city pass". This is a ticket that you buy once and thus "unlock" access to many different attractions. You then get discounts on site and don't have to stand in line at any ticket booths.
2. pack your suitcase: If you are only traveling for a few days, it is a good idea to travel with a small trolley. This is not only easier for you, but also saves CO2. In addition, you get in the mood for conscious traveling and don't have the stress of not finding a place for your suitcase on the train. We therefore love to travel with our hand luggage suitcase IP1 in size S.
3. eco-check: Sometimes it's not so easy to find a sustainable accommodation. In this article, we'll tell you about the five features that help you recognize an organic hotel.
4. environmentally friendly journey: If you don't want to take the plane, you often have to go through the hassle of finding train and bus connections. With the Omio app, you can do this all by yourself. Here you can find your travel alternatives for your next city trip with just a few clicks.
5. zero waste: At home, we separate our trash and go shopping with jute bags. But as soon as we are on vacation, we reach for the plastic bag and forget our good zero waste resolutions. That doesn't have to be the case. Here we have the best zero waste travel tips for you.
City breaks in Europe - the top tip
And then we have one last - but probably the most important - tip for your city breaks in Europe: Don't plan ahead. Go for slow travel instead. Instead of rushing from one sight to the next, approach your trip with calm and consciously perceive the new impressions. This is the only way to create lasting wonderful memories.
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