These are the top 10 greenest cities in the world, ranked

In an era when air quality, sustainability and liveability define global city rankings, access to green space is emerging as a key metric for urban success. According to a new Green City Index by cruise specialist Iglu Cruise, cities were evaluated based on the percentage of greenery, accessible public parks and air quality. The result? A global top 10 list that proves you don’t have to choose between skyscrapers and serenity. Here’s a closer look at the world’s greenest cities — and why they deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.

1. Oslo, Norway
Green Score: 77.3
Topping the index is Oslo, where 95% of residents live within a 300-metre walk of a green area. The Norwegian capital boasts some of Europe’s cleanest air and the highest percentage of public parks in the ranking. Visitors can stroll through Royal Palace Park, explore the iconic Vigeland Park — the world’s largest sculpture park by a single artist — or take a 20-minute metro to Oslomarka forest and Sognsvann Lake. The city even features the world’s first “bee highway,” a floral corridor supporting urban biodiversity.

2. Vilnius, Lithuania
Green Score: 72.3
Named European Green Capital for 2025 by the European Commission, Vilnius dedicates 61% of its territory to green space. Nearly half the city is covered in forest canopy. Hot air balloons drift above its UNESCO-listed Old Town, offering a rare aerial view of a capital often described as a “city in a forest.” Highlights include Bernardine Garden, Vingis Park and Pavilniai Regional Park. With over 1,500 km of walking trails, Vilnius is also working toward climate neutrality by 2030.

3. Helsinki, Finland
Green Score: 60.3
Celebrated for its “wild urbanism,” Helsinki ranks third and was named the world’s most sustainable travel destination in the Global Destination Sustainability Index for 2024 and 2025. Nearly 46% of Helsinki is green space, including the 10-km Central Park forest stretch. Travellers can visit Kumpula Botanic Garden, Haaga Rhododendron Park or venture to Nuuksio National Park for lakes and forest trails — all easily accessible by public transport.

4. Vienna, Austria
Green Score: 59.3
More than half of Vienna is designated green space. The city seamlessly blends imperial heritage with environmental preservation. From the manicured gardens of Schönbrunn Palace to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Vienna Woods, outdoor options abound. Danube Island offers 21 kilometres of cycling tracks and swimming spots, while vineyard trails in Döbling deliver panoramic river views.

5. Canberra, Australia
Green Score: 58.7
Often called the “Bush Capital,” Canberra preserves 45% of its area as protected parks and reserves. Designed in 1913 to integrate urban life with nature, it runs on 100% renewable electricity. Lake Burley Griffin forms the city’s scenic heart, while the National Arboretum showcases over 100 forests of rare trees. Canberra’s master-planned layout ensures residents remain closely connected to wilderness.

6. Sydney, Australia
Green Score: 58.3
A global metropolis with 46% public park space, Sydney proves that density and biodiversity can coexist. Visitors can unwind at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney near the Opera House, explore Centennial Parklands or visit Barangaroo Reserve — a former industrial site now home to 75,000 native plants. The city’s “Rewilding Sydney” initiative has already planted over 173,000 native species.

7. Stockholm, Sweden
Green Score: 55.7
Stockholm follows a unique “one-third” rule: one-third water, one-third green space and one-third urban development. At its centre lies the Royal National City Park, the world’s first urban national park, stretching six miles through the city. Djurgården Island and Hagaparken offer forest trails, orchards and lakes within minutes of downtown.

8. Singapore
Green Score: 53.3
Often dubbed the “City in Nature,” Singapore has redefined urban greenery with over 300 acres of skyrise vegetation and a 370-km park connector network. Landmarks such as Gardens by the Bay and the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens highlight its commitment to biodiversity. Through its OneMillionTrees movement, the city has planted over 700,000 trees toward its 2030 target.

9. Reading, United Kingdom
Green Score: 51.7
Recognised as the UK’s greenest destination, Reading allocates 35% of its area to public green space. The Abbey Quarter and Forbury Gardens merge history with landscaped lawns, while riverside paths along the Thames and Kennet offer tranquil escapes. Backed by sustainability research from the University of Reading, the city has cut carbon emissions by 57%.

10. Munich, Germany
Green Score: 50.7
Closing the top 10 is Munich, often regarded as one of the world’s most walkable cities. Its iconic English Garden is larger than New York’s Central Park, while Olympiapark and Nymphenburg Palace Park add to its vast green network. Munich aims to become climate-neutral by 2035, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable urban living.