April 9, 2026, 1:31 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

“A city with easy access to nature and wildlife means happier people and a healthier environment,” writes “Time Out” in its article on Europe’s greenest cities–and thus explains the reason for this extra category within the ranking of the world’s best cities (TRAVELBOOK reported). For this, 24,000 people were surveyed to rate their places of residence, including green spaces and access to nature. Cities that were particularly often rated as “good” or “fantastic” made it onto the list of the 20 greenest cities in the world; nine of them are in Europe, including one in Germany.

Number 1 in England

The number one greenest city this year is in the United Kingdom. The city is the picturesque Bath, in the southwest of England. Bath, known for its architecture, thermal springs, and UNESCO World Heritage status, and often referred to as the most beautiful city in the country, received 94 percent in the ranking. “Time Out” explains the high percentage with the “numerous parks and local initiatives such as the development of a ‘green infrastructure network'” in the city.

Riga in Second Place

According to “Time Out,” the second greenest city on the continent is Riga, Latvia. Eighty-seven percent of the surveyed residents of Latvia’s capital stated that green spaces and other natural areas are easily accessible. Overall, Riga consists of 47 percent green spaces, with a tree cover of 39 percent, according to the AI-supported Green Space Index HUGSI (short for Husqvarna Urban Green Space Insights). HUGSI explains: “Compared to the global average, the proportion of forested urban area has improved, as has the urban green space per capita compared to the previous year.” According to the index, more than 53 percent of cities in Europe performed worse than Riga.

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This is Germany’s Greenest City

According to data from HUGSI, the German city that won the race for the greenest in all of Germany in the “Time Out” ranking might even surpass Riga: 50 percent of the city consists of green spaces, with a tree cover also at 39 percent, and within Europe, this German city is even ahead of its European counterparts by 85.6 percent. Which city is it? The enchanting northern German city of Hamburg. However, the surveyed Hamburg residents are a bit more reserved than those in Riga. Nevertheless, a full 85 percent expressed positive views about the natural environment in their city, placing Hamburg fourth in the European comparison of the greenest cities. Hamburg and the theory that nature makes people happier are also confirmed by last year’s Happiness Atlas: According to it, Hamburg is home to the happiest people in Germany (TRAVELBOOK reported).

Also interesting: These cities offer the best parks and access to nature

The 9 Greenest Cities in Europe

And which other six cities are considered by their residents and the “Time Out” evaluation to be among the greenest cities on the continent? Here’s the ranking at a glance:

1. Bath (94 percent)
2. Riga (87 percent)
3. Stockholm (86 percent)
4. Hamburg (85 percent)
5. Vienna (83 percent)
6. Helsinki (83 percent)
7. Krakow (82 percent)
8. Oslo (81 percent)
9. Luxembourg (78 percent)