Experts analyzed cities around the world by the number of green areas, accessibility of parks, and air quality to determine the best locations for hiking. The ranking includes both major capitals and less obvious travel destinations. Find out more about the greenest cities in the world where it is pleasant to walk and relax in nature right within the city limits

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Walking is one of the best ways to explore a city without rushing, to feel its rhythm and at the same time to take a break from the noise of traffic. But comfortable walking routes are impossible without green areas, parks, and clean air.

That is why experts from Iglu Cruises evaluated cities around the world according to three criteria: the number of green spaces, access to them for residents and tourists, and the overall environmental situation. Based on this analysis, a ranking of the 10 greenest cities in the world that are best suited for hiking was compiled. Below is a selection of cities where you can walk for hours without feeling like you're in a patchwork of concrete.

In the previous article, we talked about the TOP-10 tourist destinations according to Time Out, which are definitely worth visiting in 2026.

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1. Oslo, Norway (77.3 points)

Oslo topped the ranking of the greenest cities in the world thanks to its unique combination of urban space and nature: 95% of residents live no further than 300 meters from a green area, so it's enough to leave the house for a walk and find yourself in a park or forest in a few minutes. The city is actively rethinking urbanism: old parking lots are being turned into mini-parks, and hiking trails are being laid along waterfronts, in green areas, and near nature reserves.

Oslo is also known for the world's first “bee highway” - a green corridor of native plants and special houses for pollinating insects, which makes city walks not only pleasant but also environmentally conscious.

2. Vilnius, Lithuania (72.3 points)

Vilnius is confidently among the greenest cities in the world, as more than 60% of its territory is occupied by parks, forests and other green areas, which creates ideal conditions for long walks right within the city. It's easy to combine walks in the historic center with routes along rivers, lakes, and nature trails that run through residential areas and suburbs.

The peculiarity of Vilnius is that green spaces are not concentrated in one area, but are evenly “scattered” throughout the city, so walking routes can be laid out every day in new locations without the need to use transport. The city is also actively developing its pedestrian infrastructure: equipped paths, recreational areas, and embankments make walking comfortable for both tourists and locals.

You can learn more about the TOP 10 little-known destinations for crowd-free travel in 2026 here.

3. Helsinki, Finland (60.3 points)

Helsinki is considered one of the most comfortable cities in Europe for walking due to the combination of urban infrastructure and natural landscapes. It's easy to walk from the historic center to waterfronts, parks, forests, or the Baltic Sea coast in a few minutes. Much of the green space is integrated into residential neighborhoods, so walks are not limited to typical routes - you can explore “non-touristy” areas with lakes, waterfront paths, and viewpoints.

Another advantage of Helsinki is its clean air and well-thought-out urban environmental policy, which makes long walks comfortable even within dense buildings. The city has many convenient walking routes along the coast, islands and natural parks, which are easy to reach on foot or by public transport and combine a walk around the city with short hikes in nature.

4. Vienna, Austria (59.3 points)

Vienna is one of the few large European cities with more than half of its territory covered by green areas, so hiking routes here easily combine historic buildings with parks, gardens, and natural landscapes. Walks can be designed to move from the city center to large park areas without interruptions for transportation, and many green routes run along waterfronts and through recreational areas.

Another advantage is the combination of city parks with nature conservation areas: forest trails, viewpoints, and hiking trails are available within the city, suitable for both relaxing walks and longer half-day routes. This makes Vienna convenient for those who want to walk around the city without sacrificing nature.

Earlier we talked about the 13 best places for a spring trip in Europe in 2026.

5. Canberra, Australia (58.7 points)

Canberra stands out among the world's capitals because almost half of its territory is devoted to national parks, nature reserves, and large green areas that directly border residential areas. This makes it possible to create walking routes not only in the city center but also along natural areas, lakes, and hills without leaving the urban agglomeration.

The city was designed with space for walking in mind, so there are many wide pedestrian paths, routes along the water, and green corridors between neighborhoods. For travelers, this means the ability to combine city walks with short nature trails, wildlife watching, and parks without long travel times.

6. Sydney, Australia (58.3 points)

Sydney is convenient for walking due to the large number of parks and green areas that occupy almost half of the city's territory and are evenly distributed among the districts. It's easy to combine walks in city neighborhoods with routes along the coast, through coastal parks and natural protected areas without leaving the city.

A separate plus for pedestrians is the long routes along the ocean and bays that pass through green areas, viewpoints and recreational areas. This makes Sydney suitable not only for short city walks, but also for long hiking routes with views of water and natural landscapes.

7. Stockholm, Sweden (55.7 points)

Stockholm is convenient for walking due to a clear balance between water, green areas and urban development: a large part of the city is occupied by parks, squares and natural areas integrated into residential areas. Hiking routes often run along canals and embankments, across islands and green areas, allowing you to walk around the city, constantly changing the landscape.

The city is suitable for long walks without transportation: convenient walking routes are laid out between neighborhoods, and green corridors connect the central neighborhoods with more natural areas.

In the article at the link, we have provided useful tips to help you save money while traveling in Europe in 2026.

8. Singapore (53.3 points)

Singapore stands out because green areas are integrated directly into dense urban development: parks, squares, and green promenades are located between business districts, residential areas, and tourist destinations. For pedestrians, this means the ability to build routes through city parks, along water and green corridors without leaving the city center.

A separate advantage is the extensive network of pedestrian paths and green routes that connect different neighborhoods and recreational areas into a single walking system. This makes it convenient to plan both short city walks between points of interest and longer routes through several parks in a row.

9. Reading, United Kingdom (51.7 points)

Reading is suitable for walking due to the large proportion of public green spaces located near residential areas and the city center. It is convenient to plan routes through city parks, squares, and recreational areas without the need to use public transportation, making walks accessible even for short visits.

The city is compact, so most green locations can be easily combined into one half-day route. Pedestrian paths run through park areas and along the water, allowing you to combine walking around the city with outdoor recreation without leaving the city limits.

10. Munich, Germany (50.7 points)

Munich is suitable for hiking thanks to the large park areas that directly border the city center, so routes easily combine historic neighborhoods with natural locations. One of the key advantages is the large city parks that you can walk through without entering busy streets, which makes walking comfortable even during the tourist season.

The city is convenient for long routes: green areas are interconnected by footpaths, and some routes run along the river and park areas. This allows you to plan walks for several hours with alternating urban and natural landscapes without the need to use public transportation.

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We remind you! Popular tourist destinations can be a trap. We have already told you which 8 places in the world Fodor’s advises to avoid in 2026 due to overtourism, environmental risks and social tension – and what alternatives to choose instead.