#2 Most sustainable travel destination
The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI) is both a development tool and a ranking system launched in 2016 by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. Gothenburg has claimed the top position seven times. In 2025, Gothenburg once again secured a podium finish and came second to Helsinki.
The GDS-index ranking is based on nearly 80 criteria covering all dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. To get high in the ranking, it is not only important that the hospitality industry with facilities and hotels are committed and involved, but also how the city in general works with sustainability issues.
Katarina Thorstensson, Senior Strategist & Advisor, sustainability and destination development Göteborg & Co, presented various sustainability projects in Gothenburg when the city was appointed as the UN’s Sustainable Lifestyle Hub. Credit: Visit Sweden
UN: Gothenburg selected as Sustainable Lifestyle Hub
Parallell with the 2025 UN summit, Gothenburg was appointed as the UN’s new Sustainable Lifestyle Hub. The initiative is part of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network and aims to create platforms where global and local stakeholders can collaborate on sustainable lifestyles.
The UN’s work with sustainability hubs is a strategy to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. Tuscany in Italy was previously designated as a hub, and now Gothenburg becomes the second. The first activity in Gothenburg is planned for early 2026, and the initiative is set to run over two years. Read more at Visit Sweden.
Discover sustainable Gothenburg
When you visit Gothenburg, you stay in one of the world’s greenest hotel cities, have access to sustainable public transport and a large number of environmentally certified restaurants. Visit sustainable Gothenburg.
Sustainability is more important than ever, even (or perhaps especially) when you’re on vacation. Gothenburg has plenty of sustainable activities to offer in and around the city, and here are some of our favourites!
Locally produced ingredients
Locally produced, organic, vegan and vegetarian – in Gothenburg there are plenty of sustainable food and drink options. Enjoy the season’s seafood at Japanese inspired Vrå or visit Gunnebo House and Gardens, a destination just outside Gothenburg where sustainability is at the centre, not least at their eco-certified restaurant.
Eat & Drink
In Gothenburg’s thriving restaurant scene, it’s easy find excellent vegetarian food and chefs that favour local produce and let the seasons cowrite their menus. With their strong commitment to sustainability, this amazing list of restaurants have met the requirements to become eco certified.
ISO certified Japanese restaurant
A strong focus on sustainability with inspiration from Japan and the delicacies of the west coast.
KRAV certified restaurant
Nestled within the kitchen garden of Gunnebo House & Gardens, you’ll find the eco certified restaurant, café and artisan bakery Kaffehus och Krog.
One of the most sustainable hotel cities in the world
Gothenburg is one of the greenest hotel cities in the world, in 2023, 96 percent the hotel rooms are eco-certified. It is easy to sleep with a good conscience here.
Stay
Gothenburg offers a wide range of eco-certified hotels that are committed to sustainability. In 2024, around 96 percent of the hotel rooms in the city are eco-certified, making Gothenburg one of the world’s most sustainable hotel cities. Welcome to a good night’s sleep and an eco-friendly stay!
Nordic Swan Ecolabelled hotel
A Nordic Swan Ecolabelled hotel that caters to all visitors, by being a natural meeting place for both conferences as well as for friends.
Nordic Swan Ecolabelled spa hotel
The resort hotel Sankt Jörgen Park is located just outside central Gothenburg. Here, you can enjoy the signature spa ritual, a spacious pool area, golf course, a range of activities, and several restaurants offering varied dining experiences.
Green Key-certified hotel and restaurant
Nääs Fabriker is a hotel and culinary destination set in a former cotton mill by the lake Sävelången. The hotel offers stylish accommodation, a restaurant, spa facilities, and nature-based activities.
Second hand, vintage and sharing economy
The circular economy is only getting bigger, and in Gothenburg you’ll find many different stores selling second hand and vintage clothes and where you can rent or loan clothes, sports gear and outdoor equipments etc.
Sharing economy
Find over 100 sharing economy initiatives.
Sustainable activities
Take a bicycle tour, enjoy parks and gardens or pick some fruit in one of the public fruit groves. There are endless opportunities to explore Gothenburg in a sustainable way.
Are you looking to experience nature and fun everyday adventures – together with your children? See more of Gothenburg’s beautiful surroundings? The journalist Karin Fingal and the adventure photographer Fredrik Schenholm have published the book “The Wild Gothenburg – the family’s guide to the best adventures”. These are their five best adventures in and around Gothenburg.
Sustainable sightseeing
Sustainable city and nature experiences in Gothenburg, beyond the tourist trail.
Sustainable transport in and around Gothenburg
Gothenburg is a pocket-sized metropolis – you’ll find almost everything within walking distance. If you want to get around the city with public transport you can still do it with a good conscience, approximately 95 percent is run on renewable energy.
We’ve gathered information on tickets, apps, maps and much more that you as a visitor might find useful when travelling in Gothenburg.
Travel and climate
How you travel and how you live on the destination has a big impact on the climate. We have in collaboration with others created a tool to calculate the emissions from different accommodation and transport types.
Your choices makes a different. You will for instance produce seven times more Co2 emissions if you fly from Copenhagen to Gothenburg rather than taking the train.
Go to travelandclimate.org and see for yourself how you can optimise your trip based on CO2 emissions.
Read more about Göteborg & Co’s work on sustainability and different awards here.