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Kayak’s new City Index for Mindful Travelers ranked 167 cities across the world that offer sustainable — or eco-friendly — options for travel.
The study looked at 28 factors and grouped them into four categories “that reflect the main areas of consideration when planning a city trip,” according to the report:
- Traveling to: pre-arrival factors such as options for ground travel, flying off-season or landing at a carbon-accredited airport
- Getting around: public transport options, affordability of more eco-friendly car hire, number of biking and walking routes, wheelchair accessibility
- Stay: air quality, drinkable tap water, availability of hotels with the Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge and pricing levels
- Experiences: support the environment and community, such as shopping at local markets and secondhand shops, taking walking tours, visiting cultural attractions
Each city ranking was determined based on searches from Jan. 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022, for the travel period of Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022.
Rotterdam, Netherlands, is the best city for a sustainable vacation, according to a 2023 report from Kayak.
Achim Thomae | Moment | Getty Images
The 10 best cities for an eco-friendly vacation
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Graz, Austria
- Trondheim, Norway
- Munich, Germany
- Helsinki, Finland
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Vienna, Austria
Rotterdam and Amsterdam, both in the Netherlands, took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the list.
According to the report, Rotterdam topped the list because it’s not “over-touristed” and you can fly there in the off-season month of January for 59% less on average than the high-season month.
The Netherlands city is the second-largest in the country and Europe’s largest seaport. Rotterdam is known for its riverside setting and modern architecture.
Amsterdam ranked No. 2 thanks in part to its lower-emitting transport options, such as ferries and trains. The city, known as “the Venice of the North,” is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its iconic canal district.
The channels’ design is considered an example of town planning that influenced the world for centuries, according to UNESCO.
In addition to its historic canals, the capital city’s main attractions include the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and a robust nightlife scene.
Graz is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna.
Photo By Rudi Steenbruggen | Moment | Getty Images
Graz, Austria, ranked No. 3 on Kayak’s list — it’s the country’s second-largest city after Vienna.
Graz is known for its well-developed rail network and numerous bike routes.
The historic city center, which also has an UNESCO World Heritage designation, boasts a pedestrian-only zone, which eliminates any worry about cars and makes the city easy to explore.
Graz was designated the European cultural capital in 2003, according to Britannica.
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