Here’s some of the world’s greenest and most sustainable cities. Round of applause, yet again, for Scandinavia as four of the cities are located in that Nordic region.

We’ve put together a quick rundown of the cities and some places we think you might be interested in visiting next time you’re there.

Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.

1. Copenhagen

Copenhagen is well known for its forward-thinking environmental regulations and planning. The city is moving forward with plans to be carbon-neutral by 2025.

Rosenborg Castle Gardens

 Rosenborg Castle GardensKøbenhavn, DenmarkSpring and summer in the gardens on a sunny day are an amazing experience. Both because of the flowers and because of the Danes relaxing and enjoying the weather while in high spirits! #free #statue #history

Paoer Island

 Paoer IslandKøbenhavn, DenmarkGreat street food spot. This is how Danes hang in the summer: by the water, with good food and wine and beer.

2. Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and has more bicycles than people. The city not only has a lack of hills, urban planners have designed the landscape with bikes in mind.

Rederij Lovers

 Rederij LoversAmsterdam, NetherlandsWalking around the lovely streets of Amsterdam 😍

Parking in Amsterdam

 SpiegelkwartierAmsterdam, NetherlandsParking in Amsterdam

3. Stockholm

Stockholm is one of the cleanest cities in the world and plans to be fossil fuel-free by 2050.

Stockholm City Hall

 Stockholm City HallStockholm, Sweden“The Song and the Dance” at #Stockholm City Hall. #statue

Vaxholm

 VaxholmVaxholm, SwedenVaxholm is a small village near Stockholm, situated in the Stockholm archipelago. You can take a bus here, but the more fun way is to go by boat. The village is fun to walk around with its older traditional houses and has a bunch of great food and drink options along the water. Definitely worth a day trip.

4. Vancouver

Vancouver is the cleanest city in Canada and one of the cleanest in the world. Their 10 point goal to sustainability can be read here.

English Bay

 English BayVancouver, CanadaOne of the most convenient beaches to get to in the city. The water is so refreshing on a hot summer day. We managed to get a different view of the city from the water.

#sup #standuppaddle

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

 Lynn Canyon Ecology CentreNorth Vancouver, CanadaThis suspension bridge in northeast Vancouver is just a few steps from the parking lot. The area also has a few short trails that go along the river and through the forests. #hiking

5. Edinburgh

The entire city centre of Scotland’s capital has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site which has resulted in bans on cars in the city centre and a core focus on dealing with emissions. Scotland has also implemented a national Zero Waste Scotland programme and a climate-change busting initiative aimed at making Edinburgh’s economy carbon-neutral by 2050.

The Meadows

 Meadows CompassEdinburgh, United KingdomThe Meadows is a huge green space close to Edinburgh University. It’s packed during summer with bands, people playing sport and hanging out under the trees.

Royal Botanic Garden

 Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghEdinburgh, United KingdomThe botanic gardens are worth a visit… Even if you know nothing about plants, it’s a perfectly designed and enjoyable park.

6. Berlin

Like Edinburgh and other city centres around Europe, Berlin has an environmental zone which only allows vehicles that meet certain emissions standards to enter.

Berlin Cathedral Church

 Berlin Cathedral ChurchBerlin, GermanyA beautiful gothic building with a nice outdoor area around. #church #archaeology #history

East Side Gallery

 East Side GalleryBerlin, GermanyA must-walk on your first trip to Berlin – the east side gallery is a preserved section of the Berlin Wall covered in iconic art. Plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. #art #murals #streetart #history

7. New York

High Line Park – NYC


Photo: Local Nomad

New York is the greenest large city in the US. Considering it’s population, its greenhouse gas emissions are low.

Canal Street

 Canal Street NYCNew York, United StatesBest of NYC street art: Garcia Lorca mural directly off of Canal Street heading west from Little Italy
#street-art
#free #gallery #history

Main Street Park

 Main Street ParkNew York, United StatesFor a New York view as iconic as Times Square, visit Main Street Park in DUMBO. Washington Street will take you to a perfectly lined up view of the Manhattan Bridge, and the nearby shops and restaurants will satisfy your cravings for art and good food. The Archway under the bridge is a public cobblestone gathering space that serves beer, wine, and mean hot dogs (seasonal hours).

8. Singapore

Singapore has is planning to have zero waste in landfills by the mid 21st century.

Haji Lane

 Haji LaneSingapore, SingaporeOld town in Singapore is amazing, full with the cutest cafes, street art and good vibes. #asia #singapore #oldtown #streetart #culture

Trick Eye Museum

 Trick Eye Museum, SentosaSingapore, SingaporeWent with my family for some unconventional and definitely memorable family portraits. My grandkids are definitely going to see this one. #family #instatour #pictures

9. Helsinki

Helsinki by Takashi Yasui on 500px.com

Photo: Takashi Yasui

Finland has been focusing on sustainability since the late 1950s. They have a core focus on transportation and encourage the use of bicycles.

Senate Square

 Senate SquareHelsinki, FinlandA famous landmark of Helsinki to visit where visitors could relax and enjoy good coffee in coffee houses just in front or this hiatorical building.

Bryggeri Helsinki

 Bryggeri HelsinkiHelsingfors, FinlandIf you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat. Bryggeri makes everything from scratch using raw, local ingredients, meaning everything from your beer to your slow-cooked elk entrecôte is as gourmet as they come. There are lots of vegetarian options for dinner as well. #beer #food #casual #free-wifi

10. Oslo

Panorama of Oslo City Hall by Andrey Omelyanchuk on 500px.com

Photo: Andrey Omelyanchuk

The city government has its Strategy for Sustainable Development which includes an aggressive program to protect its natural surroundings.

Bygdøy ferry

 Bygdøy ferryOslo, NorwayOslo as seen from the ferry to Bygdøy Peninsula

National Gallery of Norway

 National Gallery of NorwayOslo, NorwayHead to Oslo’s National Gallery to celebrate Oslo’s hometown hero, Edvard Munch. You’ll see such well known works as his Madonna, The Girls on the Bridge, and of course, The Scream.