Clean air outdoors: the cities with the best air quality

It is now, in the middle of summer, when the effects of air pollution become most visible. Beyond what we breathe in our homes -where we can have mechanical ventilation systems to enjoy filtered air free of impurities-, it is true that clean outdoor air is something that we appreciate during our vacations and that is highly enjoyable.

So, which cities in the world have the cleanest air? Those where you can settle down, go sightseeing, or simply enjoy fantastic environmental conditions. Notably: people who breathe higher quality air tend to live longer and suffer from fewer illnesses. So, if we have a few days off this vacation, why not visit one of these places?

Usually, we tend to talk about the most polluted cities in the world -which tend to be in Asian or Latin American countries and in developing regions-, but today we want to look to the other side and discover which areas have the cleanest air. Or, in other words, where there is less pollution.

• Canada is perhaps the country where we can find the best clean outdoor air. Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary are considered some of the least polluted cities on the planet. This is thanks to the efforts of their citizens to not pollute the environment.
• In the United States, interestingly, some of the cities with the best air in the world can be found. This contrasts because it is one of the countries in the world that emits the most pollutants into the atmosphere. Boston is a city of 700,000 inhabitants and ranks among the least polluted in the world. Honolulu and Minneapolis can also take pride in this, with very low levels of pollution.
• Of course, some cities in Scandinavia are at the top of the list of least polluted locations. Stockholm, Helsinki, and Oslo are three capitals where significant actions against pollution are being carried out. And it shows in that they are among the cleanest places in the world.
• In the Alps, the air quality is also very high. Zurich, in Switzerland, has major attractions as a mountain city but with a strong commitment to the environment. It is very likely to find eco-friendly hotels there.
• In Germany, Nuremberg and Freiburg are two examples to follow across Europe. With eco-friendly neighborhoods and significant measures promoting the environment.
• If we continue talking about places with great nature, we have to highlight Auckland in New Zealand. In the Antipodes, it boasts exceptional and well-preserved geography. It is considered one of the best cities in the world for quality of life.
• The Japanese city of Kobe is not only known for possibly having the best beef in the world but also for its clean outdoor air. While it is a densely populated area, it is also a highly recommendable place for living.
• And in Spain? In our country, Vitoria represents the example of a green city. Moreover, in 2012 it was chosen as the European Green Capital.

Travel where there is clean outdoor air

If we want to discover some of the most eco-friendly and least polluted cities in the world, we don't have to travel through Europe, America, or New Zealand. Beyond these green territories mentioned in previous paragraphs, in Spain we have many cities where we can enjoy high-quality air.

For example, the photo that leads this article belongs to Marbella, the popular vacation city in Malaga. However, according to the World Health Organization, the two most eco-friendly and least polluted cities in Spain are not in the Iberian Peninsula. We have to go to the Canary Islands for that.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the most eco-friendly place in all of Spain, according to the same WHO. Meanwhile, Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, would be in second place. Other places worth mentioning are several coastal destinations, but the only autonomous community that has all its provincial capitals among the least polluted cities in Spain is Extremadura. Cáceres and Badajoz are in the top 10 territories with the best air in Spain. A remarkable achievement in the field of ecology.

Of course, in addition to enjoying clean outdoor air, to lead a healthy life, it is also necessary to ensure a pollution-free environment at home. And double flow mechanical ventilation can provide us with high-quality air at home, thanks to its filtering system and removal of impurities. Although the air outdoors may be of poor quality, the particles do not enter the house and we enjoy better health indoors, which is where modern life leads us to spend a significant amount of time.