Situated on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Connacht, the city of Galway was awarded the European Green Leaf in 2017. Extensive woodland surrounds the city, and the Irish River Corrib flows through its centre, making the area excellent for wildlife and biodiversity. What’s more, several of the beaches west of Galway’s harbour have been given Blue Flag status by the EU due to the high quality of bathing water present – making them perfect areas to explore with a rented bike.

Selected as the European Capital of Culture 2018 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Maltese Capital of Valetta is a treasure trove full of narrow lanes and secret gardens. The city joined other countries in Europe in pledging to become carbon neutral by 2050, in addition to reducing plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Basin. The coastline to the north-west of Valetta is a Natura 2000 site designed to protect Bottlenose Dolphins and Loggerhead Turtles. It’s a great place to go snorkelling to appreciate the beautiful marine life!

Cyprus’ largest mountain range, the Troodos Mountains, provides challenging slopes to hike across, serene mountain villages to wander through and Byzantine churches to explore. Its highest peak is named Mount Olympus – although it’s not the mountain made famous by mythology (that one is located in Greece!) So while you shouldn’t expect to see any Ancient Gods, Olympus still offers stunning views of the Cypriot landscape. Between winter snow and scorching summer temperatures, the Troodos Mountains have something for everyone. The Troodos National Forest Park is an EU-protected Natura 2000 site, which helps Cypriot wildlife and biodiversity to thrive. Make sure you pack a pair of binoculars and take part in some bird watching while you’re there!

Reykjavík is a lovely city, full of cosy cafes, creative culture and a popular music scene. Thanks to Iceland’s volcanic systems, around 85% of its total energy use comes from domestically produced renewables such as hydropower and geothermal energy. It also means that there are fantastic natural spas and thermal baths that you can visit while in Reykjavík. Iceland’s capital’s green credentials are clear; it was a European Green Capital finalist in 2013 and is one of the greenest cities in the world, thanks to its 411 square meters of green space per person.