Enjoy the late summer with a sustainable last-minute holiday in Austria, Germany, Italy or Europe’s green cities. Discover how you can make your trip environmentally friendly – from travelling by train to eco-friendly accommodation and outdoor activities.
Austria: Pure nature and sustainable accommodation
Eco-friendly accommodation:
Eco-labelled hotels: look for accommodation with the Austrian eco-label that meets strict ecological criteria.
Alpine huts and eco holiday homes: These offer an experience close to nature and often rely on renewable energy and regional products.
Public transport:
ÖBB Nightjet: The night train connects Austria with many European cities. Travelling on the Nightjet is comfortable and an environmentally friendly alternative to flying.
Regional trains and buses: Austria has a well-developed network of regional trains and buses that offer efficient and environmentally friendly connections.
Outdoor activities:
Hiking and cycling: Explore national parks such as the Hohe Tauern National Park or the region on an e-bike, which you can hire in many places.
Germany: Green cities and sustainable mobility
Sustainable cities:
Freiburg im Breisgau: Known as Germany’s “Green City”, Freiburg favours solar energy and an excellent cycling infrastructure.
Berlin: Explore the city by bike and enjoy organic restaurants serving local and seasonal food.
National parks and nature reserves:
Black Forest and Bavarian Alps: these regions offer numerous hiking and cycling trails as well as sustainable activities such as guided hikes and nature tours.
Green mobility:
Deutsche Bahn (DB): DB offers a dense network of long-distance and regional trains. With the ICE you can travel quickly and environmentally friendly between cities.
FlixTrain: A cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to Deutsche Bahn that connects many important cities.
Car sharing and e-mobility: Many German cities offer car sharing services and charging stations for electric cars, providing a flexible and green mobility solution.
Italy: Sustainable enjoyment and ecological diversity
Eco-hotels and agriturismi:
Eco-hotels: these focus on sustainable practices, such as the use of renewable energy and the use of regional, organic food.
Agriturismi: Stay overnight on farms that often operate organically and sustainably.
Ecological transport:
Frecciarossa and Italo: high-speed trains that connect many Italian cities and offer a fast as well as environmentally friendly alternative to the car.
E-bikes and public transport: In cities such as Rome or Florence, take advantage of the opportunity to hire e-bikes or use the well-developed public transport system.
Nature experiences:
Cinque Terre: Explore this region on the well-marked hiking trails and enjoy the unspoilt nature.
Lipari Islands: These offer crystal clear waters and sustainable tourism that promotes the preservation of natural beauty.
Sustainable arrival and departure
Travelling by train:
Night trains: Use night trains such as the ÖBB Nightjet or Euronight, which are comfortable and environmentally friendly. You save an overnight stay in a hotel and reduce your carbon footprint.
High-speed trains: Connections such as the ICE in Germany or the Frecciarossa in Italy offer fast and green alternatives to flying.
Public transport and car sharing:
Local transport: use the well-developed local public transport in cities and regions. Many cities also offer car-sharing services, which are a flexible and environmentally friendly mobility solution.
E-bikes and bike hire: Hire e-bikes or bikes for shorter distances and explore cities and landscapes emission-free.
Tips for sustainable travel planning:
- Avoid short-haul flights: wherever possible, avoid short-haul flights in favour of train or coach travel.
- Form travel groups: Share journeys with other travellers to save resources and reduce CO₂ emissions.
- Pack consciously: Only take the essentials with you and avoid unnecessary baggage. Light suitcases save energy during transport.
Favourite European cities for eco-friendly travel
Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen is one of the greenest cities in Europe and a role model when it comes to sustainability. The city has an impressive cycling infrastructure that makes it easy to explore the sights in an environmentally friendly way. Public transport is also excellent and many hotels are committed to ecological standards.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam is known for its bicycles, and for good reason. The city has more bicycles than inhabitants, and the flat roads and well-marked cycle paths make it easy to explore the city on two wheels. Public transport is also green and efficient, with a dense network of trams and buses.
Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm is not only a beautiful city, but also one of the most sustainable in Europe. The city relies on renewable energy and has an excellent public transport network. Travelling on the underground is not only environmentally friendly, but also an experience, as many stations are designed like art galleries.
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Ljubljana was named “European Green Capital” in 2016. The city has a car-free centre and focuses on sustainable mobility with e-buses and a well-developed bike rental system. The green surroundings are ideal for hiking and cycling tours.
Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich not only offers a high quality of life, but also an excellent infrastructure for sustainable tourism. The city has a dense network of trams and buses that run on renewable energy. The surrounding area is also perfect for nature and outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.
With these tips and travel suggestions, you can make the most of the last few weeks of summer while travelling consciously and sustainably. Whether in the Alps, the German forests, on the Italian coasts or in the most sustainable cities in Europe – an environmentally friendly holiday will give you unforgettable experiences and a clear conscience.