These cities are full of nature

If you love the city, but don't want to be trapped in towering skyscrapers and urban sprawl, don't worry. There are plenty of cities which are dedicated to biodiversity and greenery - and plenty of them are on the doorstep of the UK. Experts from Iglu Cruises have analysed cities across the world using three factors - green space, the public access to it and the air quality. They have found the top ten greenest cities in the world. These are the best places to visit if you want a city break, that isn't completely taken over by concrete.

Munich is the 10th greenest space in the world - and one of the most walkable cities in the world. Its famous English Garden is larger than New York's Central Park, while the "Park Miles" connects the urban centre to a 70-kilometre protected green belt.

9. Reading, UK. Green Score: 51.7

In ninth place is the UK city of Reading, just outside of London. With 35% of its area dedicated to public green space, the city is defined by the "Rivers and Parks" initiative, which connects the Thames and Kennet rivers directly to the town centre.

8. Singapore. Green Score: 53.3

Singapore is in 8th place, with a "nature first" model that encompasses more than 300 acres of greenery. The city has planted over 700,000 trees toward its goal of 1 million by 2030. This design provides an average of 66sqm of green space per resident, even in one of the world's most densely populated hubs.

7. Stockholm, Sweden. Green Score: 55.7

This city is divided into thirds - one third water, one third greenery and one third urban areas. It's the first European Green Capital and has one of the highest ratios of green space per capita.

6. Sydney, Australia. Green Score: 58.3

Sydney has 46 percent of the city dedicated to green spaces and parks. The city is also focused on rewilding, planting more than 173,000 native saplings to restore biodiversity.

5. Canberra, Australia. Green Score: 58.7

Often referred to as the ‘Bush Capital', Canberra is the fifth most nature immersive city in the world, and the second Australian city on the list. The city preserves 45 percent of its area with national parks and nature reserves.

4. Vienna, Austria. Green Score: 59.3

More than 50% of this Austrian city is designed as green space. The city has everything from historic gardens to the Vienna Gardens - a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with plenty of walking and hiking paths.

3. Helsinki, Finland. Green Score: 60.3

In third place is Helsinki, known for its clean air and wild urbanism. In 2024 and 2025 it won first place as the world's most sustainable travel destination in the Global Destination Sustainability Index.

2. Vilnius, Lithuania. Green Score: 72.3

In second place is the Lithuanian city of Vilnius. This city officially holds the title of European Green Capital for 2025 by the European Commission. This recognition highlights the city's commitment to sustainability and its high air quality. With 61% of its territory dedicated to green space, and high air quality, this city is a green paradise.

1. Oslo, Norway. Green Score: 77.3

In this Norwegian city, 95% of residents live within a 300-metre walk of a green area. There's also pocket parks where old parking spaces have been turned into miniscule parks. The city is also dedicated to biodiversity and is the home of the first ever ‘bee highway' - a corridor of native flowers and bee hotels to encourage pollinators.