Too often, sustainable travel is marketed as a luxury – which means many people end up avoiding it altogether. Yet that doesn’t have to be the case. As these budget-friendly and climate-conscious hotels, destinations and experiences go to show, it really is possible to stick to a budget while travelling sustainably. From the Norwegian capital which was recently named the world's most sustainable city to an ambitious 'energy-positive' hotel, here’s our pick of the most affordable eco destinations in 2023. (Please note that prices are correct at the time of writing and may be subject to change).

Named as the most eco-friendly city in the world by the Sustainable Cities Index in 2022, we couldn't help but include Norway's charming capital on our list. It earned the prestigious title thanks to the large presence of greenery around the city, as well as its low carbon emissions and minimal levels of air pollution. Oslo also runs largely on renewables, with hydropower alone making up around 60% of energy consumption. 

 

While the city (and indeed, country) certainly isn't known for being cheap, there are ways to visit without breaking the bank. Try staying at an eco hotel such as Oslo Guldsmeden (pictured), where double rooms start from around £106 ($131) a night. It has a whole slew of globally-recognised sustainability certifications, including the Green Globe for being a global leader in eco tourism, as well as the Golden Ø, a Danish certification for serving organic produce (in fact, 99.5% of food and drinks served here are organic). As for exploring the city, there are more than 1,300 miles (2,100km) of hiking trails which take you through some of its most picturesque regions. 

If you like your eco holidays with a side of sunshine, say no more. The stunning Mediterranean island of Menorca is a sustainable paradise, and in 2023, it's celebrating its 30th anniversary of being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The title means that more than two-fifths of the island is protected, with conservation schemes in place to ensure its unique ecosystems and wildlife are safeguarded against development. 

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The Balearic island is investing heavily in sustainable tourism too, with a new £49-million ($60m) initiative launched at the end of 2022. It will see limits on the use of paper and plastic at hotels and resorts, water-saving schemes and increased use of renewables, as well as an increased focus on locally-sourced food. Some hotels are already ahead of the game, including Hotel Hevresac (pictured), which aims to prioritise the use of bio and organic products, reduce waste and preserve local heritage and culture. Doubles start from around £115 ($142) a night.

Nestled among the verdant forests and jewel-bright lakes of Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley region, this idyllic site is Canada's first net-zero campground. Jeremy's Bay Campground achieves the impressive feat thanks to 272 solar panels, which offset all electricity used and remove around 96 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year. There are a range of gorgeous accommodation options to choose from, including raised cabins that come equipped with beds and furniture, as well as camping spots for those bringing their own tents or motorhomes.

In the surrounding area, there's plenty for nature lovers to enjoy. In fact, around 80% of Kejimkujik National Park is only accessible by canoe or on foot, so there's no excuse not to lace up those hiking boots and explore the trails, or rent a kayak or paddleboard and discover the lake. By dark, you can go stargazing at Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands, North America's first region to receive a Starlight certification from the UNESCO-supported Starlight Foundation in recognition of its dark skies. 

No list of green destinations would be complete without including Copenhagen, which was voted the world’s most sustainable city in 2021. The Danish capital has long been a favourite of climate-conscious travellers, with its cycle-friendly streets – almost half of all journeys here are made by bike – and a wealth of hotels and restaurants which have sustainability at their core.

While Copenhagen isn’t renowned for being the cheapest of places, it’s still possible to visit on a budget. Try an eco hotel such as Axel Guldsmeden, located in the heart of trendy Vesterbro district, where rooms start from around £200 ($247) per night. Not only is it recognised by the Golden Ø award for being 90-100% organic, it also holds the Green Key and Green Globe credentials for its sustainability. If you’re after a bite to eat, look no further than BaneGaarden, a bustling food market filled with up-and-coming restaurants which use seasonal, organic and locally sourced produce.

Surrounded by endless plains, glistening pools and dramatic gorges, Karijini Eco Retreat is a great base for exploring the Western Australian outback. It’s also run by one of Australia’s largest Aboriginal corporations, which helps alleviate poverty and increase development among Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli communities. The setup is more glamping than a traditional hotel – but tents have all the home comforts you could want, including flushing toilets and showers, comfortable beds and solar-powered electricity and heating.

Costing around £142 ($175) per night for a two-person eco tent, prices are reasonable too. Plenty of gorgeous sights are within easy reach: the atmospheric Joffre Gorge, with its steep red walls and curved waterfall; Mount Bruce, Western Australia’s second tallest mountain, and the alluring Weano Gorge with its crystal-clear plunge pool. The retreat holds an Advanced Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia, which recognises the country’s most innovative sustainable hotels, tour operators and attractions.

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Another resort that should be on all eco travellers’ radars is the Aristi Mountain Resort, which towers above the hilltop village of Aristi in northwestern Greece. Aside from its jaw-dropping location, the hotel’s main draw is sustainability. Thanks to heat pumps and LED lighting, the building’s energy requirements are low, while the use of locally sourced materials has lowered its carbon footprint and helped the building blend in with its surroundings. Double rooms here start in the region of £119 ($147) per night.

This is truly a destination to choose if you love the great outdoors. Try hiking through unspoilt scenery towards the 19th-century Kleidonia Bridge, or take in the diverse range of bird species on a birdwatching tour of the Northern Pindos National Park. Meanwhile, adventurous types can discover the wider Zagori region through white-water rafting, off-road biking or kayaking.

Idyllic and peaceful Tanjong Jara Resort is located on Malaysia’s pristine eastern coast, where you’re never far from natural beauty. The hotel runs a pioneering turtle conservation project, with opportunities for guests to see the turtle hatchings emerge at night, listen to informative talks and take part in nest inspections by day. It's a great way to learn about these stunning creatures, the dangers they face and how they can be saved.

Alternatively, you can try diving or snorkelling at Terengganu Marine Park, home to an array of delicate and beautiful coral reefs, or visit the Kenyir Elephant Village, which focuses on caring for elephants and reducing human-elephant conflict. The luxurious resort is surprisingly affordable too: a one-night stay for two people starts at around £99 ($122). Rooms are furnished with locally-sourced wood and natural fabrics, while the hotel’s design nods to that of 17th-century Malaysian palaces.

Colombia has taken huge steps in developing its ecotourism sector and the capital is at the forefront. Here, you’ll find a world-renowned network of bike paths snaking through the city’s historic streets – if you ever needed an excuse to get on two wheels, this is it. Meanwhile on Sundays, the usually busy roads are completely closed, reducing carbon emissions and allowing visitors to roam the streets at leisure.

You don’t have to stray far from the city to experience stunning natural landscapes either. Climate-conscious visitors should try booking onto a tour with Andes EcoTours, a family-run tour operator which offers several options to explore Colombia’s gorgeous scenery and learn about its history. The coffee farm tour, which costs £69 ($85) for seven hours, allows you to visit coffee-producing neighbourhoods, learning about the production process and issues facing small producers.

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Costa Rica is one of the most eco-friendly destinations in the world, with more than a quarter of its land protected by national parks, wildlife reserves and other conservation sites. And if you want to visit on a budget, look no further than Finca Luna Nueva Lodge. Situated on the volcanic highlands in the north of the country, neighbouring the world-renowned Children’s Eternal Rainforest, this hotel has earned a national Certification for Sustainable Tourism thanks to its regenerative farming and conservation. 

Along with local partners, the resort has helped create a wildlife corridor, allowing for large areas to be reforested and an array of wildlife to repopulate the area. It also uses regenerative and organic farming methods to produce food and reduce CO2 emissions, while guests can take part in a number of conservation-focused tours to learn about the rainforest ecosystem. What’s more, with rooms starting from £89 ($107) per night in low season, prices are reasonable too.

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Filled with history, stunning architecture and a thriving creative scene, there are plenty of reasons to visit Bristol. Another was added in 2015, when it became the first city in the UK to be named the European Green Capital. It’s famously bike-friendly, with cycle routes on almost all major roads and more than 300 parking spaces and free-to-use bike pumps around the city. Plus, it has reduced carbon emissions by 87% between 2005 and 2021, although some question whether it will be able to meet its ambitious net-zero target by 2030.

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Nonetheless, it seems Bristol is a great choice for a sustainable city break. To stay green without breaking the bank, try booking into The Bristol, where standard rooms start at around £112 ($138) per night. This hotel runs on a combination of renewable electricity and gas (which is offset), while it has successfully reduced energy consumption per room by 49% in the past decade. While exploring the city, there’s a whole host of amazing vegan food to try – Bristol is considered one of the UK’s most vegan-friendly cities.

The eco-friendly nature of Berlin has a lot to do with its history. Between the two World Wars, many people were left destitute, so took to growing their own food, shopping second-hand and riding bicycles. Today, its wide range of vintage shops, urban farming projects and allotments and cycle-friendly streets are a testament to this history. The city also benefits from ample green spaces including the 519-acre Tiergarten.

To stay here on a budget, try The Circus Berlin – which has a hostel, hotel and apartments for varying needs and budgets. This hotel group has a huge focus on sustainability, with low-impact heating and air conditioning, as well as minimal-waste policies and green cleaning products. Beds in a dorm at the hostel start from £23 ($29) per night, while a room for two in the hotel starts from £119 ($147) per night. 

Located in up-and-coming Erlangen, a small baroque town in the heart of Bavaria, you’ll find a hotel that claims to be 'Germany’s first climate positive hotel'. Since opening in 1991, Creativhotel Luise has been a sustainability trailblazer and it has an impressive array of credentials. It uses, on average, 47% less energy per night than other hotels, produces 88% less waste than its competitors and has planted almost 15,000 trees in Panama since opening.

In the ‘circular hotel room’ which starts from £123 ($151) per night, 100% of materials used are biodegradable or recyclable, with a warm and minimalist look throughout. Meanwhile, the hotel breakfast, included in the price, offers a range of organic, vegan, fairtrade and locally produced menu items. When guests are ready to get out and explore, the hotel is well-located for discovering the stunning natural landscapes of Franconian Switzerland. 

With its quaint canals, historic waterside houses and tree-lined streets, Amsterdam is as picture-perfect as they come. But beneath the pretty face, it has some serious green credentials going for it. The city is frequently ranked among the most sustainable in the world, promising to cut its CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 and by 95% by 2050. What’s more, 80% of electricity used by households will come from solar and wind energy by 2030.

Yet it’s perhaps best known for its world-leading cycling infrastructure. While the flurry of bike traffic rushing through its 320 miles (515km) of cycle lanes might seem intimidating at first, visitors get used to it pretty quickly – and learn to love it. To rest those tired legs, consider checking into one of the four Conscious Hotels. This sustainable brand is powered exclusively by wind energy, uses only recycled, second-hand or cradle-to-cradle materials (aka repurposed waste), plus it’s planted more than 18,000 trees as part of the Conscious Forest scheme. 

World-leading eco destination Slovenia is home to a whole host of stunning scenery, but some of the best sights are to be found in the Julian Alps. With peaks of altitudes more than 8,200 feet (2,500m) threaded with azure lakes and dainty villages, it’s the ideal destination for lovers of the great outdoors. Situated on the shores of Lake Bohinj – the underrated sibling of well-trodden Bled – is the stunning Bohinj ECO Hotel, which offers green accommodation in a luxurious location, for a reasonable price. What more could you want?

The only hotel in Slovenia to be awarded a Green Globe, a globally recognised certification for sustainable tourism, Bohinj ECO Hotel has a range of environmentally friendly measures. LED lighting helps keep it energy efficient, while the hotel’s water is sourced from a purpose-built well and heating is provided by eco-friendly heat pumps. Rooms, which start at roughly £101 ($125), have a warm, neutral decor and look out onto the stunning Bohinj lake and mountains. 

Every aspect of Svart, located in Svartisen in Norway’s Arctic Circle, is being designed with carbon reduction in mind. The hotly anticipated resort, which is set for completion in 2024, will be energy-positive – meaning it’ll produce more energy than it uses. This will be achieved through inbuilt solar panels, which will absorb sunlight reflected off the nearby Svartisen glacier. Plus, within five years of opening, the hotel plans to go completely off-grid, supplying all of its own electricity, sourcing all produce from its own farm and managing all waste on-site.

Those who visit will be rewarded with breathtaking views and temperatures to match, which average around 9°C to 12°C (48-54°F) in the summer and hover between -4°C to -7°C (25-19°F) in the winter. There are plenty of gorgeous sights to take the edge off the chill, though, including gazing at the Svartisen glacier, exploring the crystal-clear Holandsfjorden fjord and possibly even catching the Northern Lights.

Located next to the Rekawa Sanctuary at the southern tip of Sri Lanka, SOORIYA Resort & Spa promises eco-luxury at an affordable price. From around £102 ($125) per night in low season, you can stay in one of its Deluxe Sea View rooms, which are as good as they sound: you’ll doze off to the sound of the sea and wake up just moments away from the beach. 

The hotel has a number of eco-friendly measures including rainwater recycling, solar-powered hot water and the use of an on-site garden to produce food for the kitchen. But perhaps the most influential aspect of the hotel’s environment strategy is its involvement in conservation. Through initiatives including the Turtle Conservation Project at the Rekawa Sanctuary, guests can experience the beauty of local wildlife while learning how it’s being protected.

Named Europe’s Green Capital in 2016, Ljubljana is ahead of the curve when it comes to eco innovations. In fact, its environmental legacy goes back around a century. In the 1920s, Ljubljana-born architect Jože Plečnik began to champion sustainable design in the city – his most notable creation was the addition of two pedestrian walkways to the Triple Bridge. He also planted trees alongside major footpaths to make them more pedestrian-friendly, helped create some of the city's major green spaces and used recycled building materials in his architecture.

Plečnik’s influence is still evident today. The city centre has been car-free for over a decade, leaving plenty of space for leisurely strolls through the streets, while locally sourced and plant-based produce are at the forefront of the food scene. Visitors on a budget should check into B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park, which is equipped with LED lighting and a number of water-saving measures, as well as a first-rate recycling system. Rooms here start from just £34 ($42) per night.

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If you’re after a wide range of eco-friendly options, the Golden City is the place to go. That’s according to a study by travel agent Hayes & Jarvis, which found that San Francisco had more green hotels, bike tours, vegan restaurants and nature parks than any other city in the world. The West Coast gem, best known for its bright red Golden Gate Bridge, bustling Chinatown and kitsch cable cars, has also become something of a national leader in the sustainability stakes.

Needless to say, there are vegan food options aplenty, from Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar to The Flying Falafel, Wildseed and Nourish Café. On the accommodation front, LEED Silver-classified Axiom Hotel, which gained the accolade thanks to its green design and use of eco-friendly materials, is a good place to lay your head, with rooms starting at around £121 ($149) per night. Biking is the best way to get around, if you can manage the hills – don’t miss cycling through the city’s iconic Lombard Street, known as ‘the crookedest street in the world’. 

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