21 Feb 2021, 06:07 GMT
Ljubljana is one of the European cities putting the environment at the top of its agenda for 2021.
Photograph by Getty Images
1. Lahti
You may not have heard of the European Green Capital 2021, 60 miles north of Helsinki, but it’s been busy carving out an environmentally conscious new identity. Aiming to become Finland’s first carbon-neutral city by 2025 (with the whole country doing the same by 2035), Lahti’s green initiatives range from an app for residents to track their individual carbon footprint to heating systems powered by recycled fuel, as well as local, FSC-certified wood. In the summer, meanwhile, visitors can soak up the 24-hour sunlight on the harbour, which has been transformed from an industrial port to a thriving hub of restaurants and cafes. Just on the city’s doorstep is Päijänne National Park ripe for exploring with its pristine waters, islands and birdlife.