If you’re looking for the perfect mix of city and nature, there are a few cities around the world that have the best of both worlds. Edinburgh and Oslo are great examples, with a wide variety of cultural activities and stunning natural beauty. In Edinburgh, you can take the metro straight into the forest or go island hopping with public transport, and Oslo is literally a city within a forest, with many great places to swim and a super relaxed vibe. Copenhagen is best for vibrant city life, but less so for nature.
Just got back from Seoul, and the access to natural parks and trails system accessible by public bus is incredible. I was absolutely blown away!
I’m biased since it’s my hometown, but Vancouver, Canada is another great option for both city and nature. There’s so much to explore, from urban parks to dense forests and incredible views of the ocean.
Other cities that are great for both city life and natural beauty include Taipei, Hong Kong, Kyoto, Chiang Mai, Salzburg, Queenstown (New Zealand), and Seattle. Rio de Janeiro is also a great choice, with plenty of opportunities to escape the city and explore the outdoors, such as hiking Christ the Redeemer through the forest trail, visiting the botanical gardens, or exploring nature reserves on the city outskirts.
Surprisingly, there have been no mentions of any cities in Australia (so far)! Sydney has incredible nature at its doorstep, with places such as the Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains, as well as bush walks like Spit to Manly. Perth also has plenty of beaches and great nature to explore.
No matter where you go, you can find that perfect balance between city and nature, and have the best of both worlds.