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Air pollution is a global trend as the world continues to grow in industrialization. Some cities of the world are highly polluted and the air quality in them poses a health risk to both locals and visitors. However, some cities still boast cleaner air quality due to greener environments and tough environmental regulations.
Such cities are great to visit and even live in because one will not have to put up with polluted skies or breathe in contaminated air. Without further ado, here are the top cities in the world with the cleanest air.
10 Oslo, Norway
Oslo is the capital city of Norway and the country's most populous city. It's a calm city for business and relaxation and enjoys a moderate population. The city is also a global maritime destination, housing some of the world's top maritime companies.
The air in Oslo is fresh and clean, boasting a moderate air quality index, which makes it one of the world's most livable cities. Norway generally has clean air and this also contributes to the amazing visibility which makes it easy to see its most beautiful places.
- Top attractions: Akershus Fortress, Folk Museum of Norway, Norwegian Maritime Museum
9 Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and one of the most amazing cities in the European Union, renowned for its number of bridges and landscapes. The city comprises 14 islands, making it a waterfront capital.
However, there's one thing yet outstanding about this Swedish capital. It's the air quality, which is a major draw for environmentally conscious visitors. The city enjoys a fair air quality index, which is termed safe and moderate for breathing, even as the most populated Swedish city.
- Top attractions: The Royal Palace, Vasa Museum, Djurgarden, the National Museum of Fine Arts
8 Victoria, Canada
On the southernmost point of Vancouver Island, off the Pacific coast of Canada, is the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia province. Nicknamed the "Garden City," Victoria comprises many parklands, trees, and gardens, making it a popular tourist destination in Canada.
Residents and tourists of this beautiful city enjoy better air quality which is on the safe side of the air quality index rankings. One won't be needing a face mask for protection against toxic air pollutants because the city has a relatively untainted atmosphere.
- Top attractions: Royal BC Museum, the Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle
7 Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is a quiet and charming city perched on a scenic bay, off the Gulf of Finland's shore, north of Estonia.
Despite having a population of fewer than 500,000 people, the city is still the most populous in Estonia. With the surrounding bay, fewer industrial centers, and trees, it's no surprise the air quality here is super clean.
Once in Tallinn, visitors can soak in one of the purest forms of air, unspoiled by pollutants and industrialization.
- Top attractions: Tallinn's Old Town, Tallinn TV Tower, Toompea Castle
6 The Hague, The Netherlands
The Hague in the Netherlands is one of the world's most famous cities for hosting the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. These two international courts attract several visitors to the Hague annually from across the world, but still, its air remains clean.
This is partly due to the ocean air since the city is on the Netherlands' west coast overlooking the North Sea. Also, there are strict Dutch laws that limit the emission of harmful substances and prevent the exposure of humans to long-term pollution.
- Top attractions: Louwman Museum, the Peace Palace, Duivenvoorde Castle
5 Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg is Sweden's second-largest city, situated on its west coast. The city has a low population density, which helps to keep the air moderately pure and safe for breathing.
Other factors, such as the air from the West Coast, the many parks and gardens, trees in its boulevards, and environmental laws, help to keep the air quality in Gothenburg cleaner and safer.
Sweden is also one of the world's most livable cities with a better quality of life, which is partly due to its less toxic atmosphere.
- Top attractions: Gothenburg Museum of Art, Liseberg Amusement Park, Gothenburg Botanical Garden
4 Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is a picturesque city on the north side of Lake Zurich, Switzerland, and it's the country's largest city. The city, beyond its jaw-dropping beauty, is a major financial hub in the heart of Europe and the most famous city in Switzerland.
The air quality here is as clean as the city's beauty, and Zurich has been on the list of cities with the cleanest air in the world for several decades. While tourists troop in to behold the city's elegance, the air quality is the icing on the cake of their experiences.
- Top attractions: Lake Zurich, Swiss National Museum, FIFA Museum
3 Helsinki, Finland
Finland's capital and most populous city is also the social, cultural, and political nerve center of the country. Yet, the air in Helsinki is clean, breathable, and considered one of the safest in the world for humans.
This air quality is partly due to the many forests that surround the country. Helsinki is also one of the world's most livable cities and certainly, the air quality plays a major role in this livability ranking because air pollution makes most cities unsafe or unlivable.
- Top attractions: Ateneun Art Museum, Helsinki Railway Station, Korkeasaari Zoo
2 Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the most populated countries in the European Union, housing nearly half of the entire nation's population, but this has not stopped it from being one of the cities with the cleanest air in the world. The city still boasts an impressive air quality index, which is considered fairly safe for locals and tourists.
Besides being one of the cities with the cleanest air in the world, Vienna is also known for many other amazing things. It is also known as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world, the city with the biggest Christmas market in the world, and the city of music/most beautiful city in Europe.
- Top attractions: Imperial Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, Belvedere Palace, Vienna Zoo, Vienna State Opera House
1 Reykjavik, Iceland
Despite being the largest city in Iceland and a melting pot for all kinds of activities, Reyjavik remains one of the safest cities in the country to take deep breaths without worrying about getting one’s lungs contaminated with pollution.
Reykjavik is also one of the world's cleanest and greenest cities, making it a hub for global tourism. If one is looking for a laid-back and beautiful city with exceptional and fine air quality, Reykjavik is the place to be.
- Top attractions: Hallgrimskirkja Church, Harpa concert hall, Bruarfoss waterfall
Seeing the sights during travel often involves traipsing through polluted cities, but with these travel destinations, clean air is a highlight.