Conscious travel is no longer a trend. More than ever, it’s the baseline for how we all explore new places, a way to venture into the unknown while respecting the local environment, its inhabitants, and its future. We get that this is not always a simple demand, so we’ve made things easier for you. Read ahead to discover four northern cities responsibly. Learn where to go, how to go, and what to do, all with the values of the conscious traveler in mind. 

Slow strolls, electric transport, and zero-waste dining in Tallinn 

One great thing about most Northeastern cities? You can get around on foot. Tallinn is no different. A great way to start any day in Tallinn? A stroll through the iconic district of Kalamaja, a place known around Europe for its colorful wooden houses and bohemian charm. 

While exploring a city on foot is an amazing idea, we also know that sometimes, you just want to zip around a bit. Public transport in the city is primarily powered by electricity or biogas, meaning it has a significantly smaller footprint compared to vehicles running on gas or diesel. Tallinn is also a great city to discover by bicycle, with over 30 miles of bike paths and more added every year. 

A great way to experience Tallinn’s public transport and discover our heritage, is to take a bus from the city center to the Open Air Museum in the seaside Rocca Al Mare district.  Here, you’ll get a sense of Estonia’s rural and traditional life, a life that can teach all of us a lot about respecting the land. What’s more, the traditional tavern in the museum serves authentic and historical Estonian specialties, like mulgipuder, kama, and kali. 

One of the gems of contemporary sustainable food in Tallinn is Fotografiska, a zero-waste restaurant that uses only local and seasonal ingredients. Their philosophy is clear: “leaf to root, nose to tail,” a poetic take on using every part of the plants and animals they need for their cooking. The results are stunning: dishes of refinement made with Estonian ingredients and in a conscious way. 

Local, organic food in Riga, a city that breathes green 

Taking a bus from Tallinn to Riga is both convenient and eco-friendly. It also gives you entry to one of Europe’s great green cities. In Riga, living responsibly is far more than a maxim; it’s an idea woven into every part of life. This is perhaps most visible in the city’s modes of transportation. As with Tallinn, Riga’s public transport is of various types, including electric and hybrid, so getting across town is easy and responsible. Electric scooter and bike-sharing programs are also available in every district, making getting to far-off corners of town easy and fun. 

Riga is also known for its eco-certified hotels, which maximize energy efficiency in their operations, reduce waste in as many ways as possible, and work to reduce water consumption. The same applies to a myriad of local restaurants that follow zero-waste or near-zero-waste philosophies and prioritize products from organic and local sources. Finally, make use of the city’s grand green spaces, both within the city limits and in its untouched landscapes beyond. If you stay in town, consider Vērmanes Garden or Bastejkalns. 

Circular shopping in Lithuania’s 702 years young capital 

As we make the transition to a greener way of life, how we shop will have to evolve. Luckily, in Vilnius, we have a blueprint for what conscious shopping could look like. In fact, the city is dotted with all kinds of shops that put the environment first. Here’s how you can explore it.  

In the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old Town, make sure to stop at Senatorių pasažas. Housed in an old mansion, it’s now a haven for the slow-living philosophy. Browse their excellent selection of local cheeses and meats, and then dine in their in-house restaurant. If you want to take it a step further, just 60 miles from town is the farm where all of their produce is grown. You are welcome to visit!  

Vilnius is not all about shopping. With your bags full of local goods and thrifted treasures, visit the city’s famous green spaces. We absolutely love Bernadine Garden, especially when it’s in full bloom in the summer, Vingis Park, a favorite among locals, and Verkiai Regional Park, which is ideal for birdwatching.  

And finally, fresh water is a true source of pride for Lithuania. Both residents and visitors in Vilnius can safely drink tap water and have access to fresh water sources throughout the city, so don’t forget to carry a flask on your journey! 

Warsaw, a hub for eco-conscious exploration   

Warsaw is one of the greenest cities on the continent. That’s true in two ways. First, it is home to a wide variety of eco-certified hotels that are committed to reducing water and energy use, restaurants that aim to cut their footprint by serving local products and focusing on vegetables, and open markets where farmers can sell their organic produce directly to consumers. Second, it’s green in the literal sense: about a quarter of the city is dedicated to parks, trees, and gardens. One of our favorites is the wild riverbank of Vistula River, which provides places for respiration and contemplation for locals and visitors alike.  

Warsaw is a large city, the largest of the four capitals in this article in terms of space and population. That means walking from one end of it to the other is, unless you’re super ambitious, a daunting prospect. Luckily, its public transport system is highly efficient and environmentally friendly. Whether it’s electric buses, low-emissions trams, or the city’s fleet of 3,200 bicycles (plus 30 tandems if that’s your vibe!), you can get around the city in a highly responsible way. Inside tip: The first 20 minutes of any city bike rental is free! With such flexibility of movement, here are a few conscious activities you can do in Warsaw. Take a biking tour of the city, revealing centuries of history and some spectacular views. Kayak down the Vistula, a low-impact, nature-friendly way to see the city from a new angle. And if you’re really ambitious, join some of the tree-planting initiatives that have sprung up on the outskirts of the city. It’s a great way to do something good and meet like-minded locals! 

To recap, how can you explore the Northeast responsibly?

• Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius and Warsaw make it easy and super enjoyable!

• In Tallinn, explore on foot and using electric transport, and then dine at the zero-waste restaurant Fotografiska.

• In Riga, make use of electric bikes, eco-certified hotels, and green spaces in every corner of the city. Vilnius is perfect for circular shopping at outlets like BioPapa, which takes hunting for vintage gems to a whole new level.

• And finally, in Warsaw, get around town on electric buses or trams, and experience activities in nature like hiking, strolling or kayaking.