Ecotourism in Europe: 8 sustainable destinations in 2023

Traveling is a way to discover new cultures, reconnect with nature and open your mind to new horizons. However, traveling the world is not without drawbacks, and travelers are more and more determined to travel differently, to reduce their carbon footprint and to adopt new, more viable travel habits by integrating the idea of ​​sustainable tourism.

In order to contribute to our small scale, we therefore invite you to discover some destinations in Europe which have made the choice of ecotourism, countries favoring more responsible and united tourism, sustainable accommodation, respectful of the environment or little known and little frequented, with the aim of promoting a more balanced tourism!

Here are 5 eco-friendly destinations in Europe!

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It is well known, in the Netherlands, respect for the environment has become a way of life and Amsterdam has been part of the ranking of the most sustainable cities for several years!

The city has managed to find the right balance between its popularity and its environmental practices through the reduction of waste, its famous windmills which produce a lot of sustainable energy and what makes its reputation, ecological transport! Thanks to these initiatives, which have become the daily life of the inhabitants (and tourists), Amsterdam has the lowest energy consumption rates in Europe.

Not only one of the best destinations to go alone in Europe , Croatia can also boast of being a destination where culture rhymes with nature!

Discover the eco-park of Nin, a small fortified town north of Zadar offering a natural setting in a privileged setting, all with total respect for the environment. Between parks, long beaches, lagoons and botanical gardens, life in the wild reigns supreme here!

You will discover 200 species of birds and rare plants with medicinal properties, tourists particularly like the natural treatments of mud baths!

Nin has a rich historical heritage, it is one of the oldest fortified towns in the Mediterranean basin. A romantic destination, perfect for a romantic trip!

Slovenia is one of the most sustainable destinations in the world, with almost 60% of its territory protected. If you are wondering where to go for green tourism in Slovenia, we will answer you: The Kolpa River!

This river, one of the most intact in the country, is located west of Zagreb and east of Ljubjana, it marks the border between the two countries. With its picturesque natural landscapes, from mountain torrent to plain river downstream, the Kolpa River and its natural park plunge us into the heart of an intensely rich living world.

Many activities are offered, such as swimming, rafting, canoeing, paddle, fishing… This place also guarantees that you can walk or cycle along the banks of the river. In addition, the welcome of the locals is particularly warm and traditional. Choose the campsite to accommodate you and you will be amazed by the eco-accommodations offered such as the Celtic huts!

Head for Italy in Crispiano, in a charming village nestled in the heart of the hills and fields of centuries-old olive trees for a total change of scenery!

Also called the “land of 100 farms”, discover agritourism in the land of the Masserie. During your strolls on foot or on horseback, you will discover large fortified farms and culinary specialties based on local products with a sunny taste.

To make the most of it, try to sleep in a Masseria, a set of adjacent buildings arranged in white residential complexes where the life of the massari (farm guards) takes place. Some have become beautiful farm inns where Italian taste and authenticity reign.

The Azores are a very popular tourist destination, it seems surprising that this archipelago of nine islands remains quite intact.

With its stunning coastlines, mountains and green valleys teeming with wildlife, the Azores focus on environmentally friendly practices that put them at the forefront of ecotourism.

Although the fauna and flora are developing considerably there, the resorts and hotels are also geared towards sustainable tourism! They are usually small and the food comes overwhelmingly from local sources.

The extremely diverse climate of the Azores allows for the cultivation of both coffee and tropical fruits as well as the raising of large herds of cattle which produce some of the best cheese and beef in Europe.

Arosa Switzerland Ecotourism

Arosa is a traditional Graubünden holiday resort, located at the bottom of the romantic Schanfigg valley at an altitude of around 1800 meters. The mountainous environment with its magnificent peaks offers vast hiking areas in summer and numerous opportunities for snow sports in winter.

Arosa is home to the Hotel Varsana, the first hotel in Switzerland to be heated by “ice batteries”. This energy recovery system uses excess thermal energy that would otherwise be lost to the environment.

This charming alpine resort also contributes to the environment in other ways. Several hotels have charging stations for electric vehicles, there is even a free one in the city center!

The area has also been awarded Alpine Pearl status for its green transportation and environmental practices.

As the first entire region to receive Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification, Catalonia offers a symbiotic relationship between man and nature. In Catalonia, it will be an opportunity to think green!

Here you can discover former coal, lead and salt mines that have been transformed into cultural quarters. Walk among the fossilized traces of dinosaurs in the old open-air coal mine of Fígols-Vallcebre Fumanya, now a paleontological site.