Revealed: Top 100 Sustainable Destinations Around The World

This list of Top 100 Sustainable Destinations recognizes the efforts of countries and regions that have made to make their home welcoming for eco-friendly travel lovers.

As overtourism became a buzzword in 2018, it also highlighted the need for urgent sustainable solutions. For the fourth time the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations is unveiled. This list celebrates the efforts of tourism destinations for responsible and sustainable tourism. The list is the result of open calls in newswires, social and business media.

Nominators had to provide extensive information on their destination and its efforts to make itself and its stakeholders more sustainable for the benefit of travellers, local communities and the world. Destinations had to clarify what they have been doing to comply with the 100 globally recognized criteria of the Green Destinations Standard.

Nominations were evaluated by the Sustainable Top 100 Team and by members of the Top 100 International Committee and country experts. The Top 100 initiative aims to recognise tourism destinations that have worked hard to make a difference and take sustainability seriously. But it’s important to note that no destination is fully sustainable. In all selected destinations, important issues remain to be solved.

Traveller carbon emissions are currently not taken into account in this competition due to the lack of suitable data and tools. However, Green Destinations recommends travellers to avoid long-haul travels and to appropriately compensate their carbon emission.

best green travel destinations 2017 Bhutan

Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan

Top 100 Sustainable Destinations

Australia
Douglas Shire (Queensland)
Red Centre

Belgium
Durbuy

Bhutan
Kingdom of Bhutan

Botswana
Chobe, Makgadikgadi & Okavango Delta
Selinda Reserve

Read more about wildlife safaris here:

Why You Need to Go on an African Safari Now

5 Unique Safari Destinations You Must Experience in Africa

Elephants by Chobe river. Photo: Botswanatourism

Brazil
Fernando de Noronha

Canada
Great Bear Rainforest
Vancouver (British Columbia) – Read more for the best DIY Vancouver walking tour here.
Castle Region & Alberta Southwest
Mackenzie Delta – Beaufort Sea
Niagara Falls (Ontario)
Thompson Okanagan

Chile
Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve
Chiloe Island
Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve
Puerto Natales

Colombia
Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary

Costa Rica
Costa Rica

Croatia
Town of Drniš

Cyprus
Pafos Region

Ecuador
Galapagos Islands – read about about an epic trip of a lifetime to Galapagos here.
Sani Isla

Galapagps. Photo: Anita Ritenour via Flickr

Finland
Pyhä-Luosto

France
Bretagne – Brittany

Germany
Norderney (Lower Saxony)

Greece
Folegandros (Cyclades)
Skyros Island (Evia)
Sifnos Island (Cyclades)

Read our guide to the best islands to visit in Greece here.

India
Khangchendzonga Nat. Park (Sikkim)

Indonesia
Bali Barat National Park

Read our guide to the best things to do in Bali here.

Italy
Cogne (Valle d’Aosta)
Villasimius & C. Carbonara MPA (Sardinia)

Japan
Kamaishi (Iwate)

Jordan
Ajloun Forest Reserve
Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark

Kenya
Loisaba Conservancy

Malaysia
Taiping (Perak)

Malta
Gozo – Read about how you can enjoy an adventure fit for royalty in Malta here.

Namibia
#Khoadi-//Hoas Conservancy
Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve

Netherlands
Ameland (Friesland)
Berg en Dal (Gelderland)
Goeree-Overflakkee (Zuid-Holland)
Hoek van Holland (Zuid-Holland)
Katwijk (Zuid-Holland)
Nijmegen (Gelderland)
Noordwijk (Zuid-Holland)
Schouwen-Duiveland (Zeeland)
Wassenaar (Zuid-Holland)
Westvoorne (Zuid-Holland)
Veere (Zeeland)

Netherlands – Caribbean
Bonaire
Saba

Norway
Lindesnes region
Lyngenfjord region

Read about the fjords of Norway here.

The stunning fjords of Norway. Photo: m_dickson/Foap/Visitnorway.com

Palau
Republic of Palau

Philippines
Bojo (Aloguinsan)
Lio Tourism Estate (El Nido)
San Carlos City (Negros Occ.)

Portugal
Águeda (Baixo Vouga, Centro)
Alto Minho CIMAzores
Cascais (Greater Lisbon region)
Lagos (Algarve)
Peneda-Gerês National Park
Oeste CIM, West Portugal
Serras do Socorro e Archeira
Sintra (Greater Lisbon region)
Torres Vedras (Oeste)