The cities with the best air quality

Air quality is a factor to consider when choosing your next long-weekend city break, says Bryan Hubbard

What are your criteria for choosing a city break? The culture, perhaps, or the fascinating old buildings. Then again, it could be the restaurants or the nightlife. But a new study suggests something else should be on your list—the city’s air quality.

Air pollution has been recognized as the second leading cause of death after heart disease. Researchers from the Global Burden of Diseases 2021 Stroke Risk Factor Collaboration estimate that air quality, and lead exposure in particular, is one of the main risk factors.¹

So, a long weekend of gulping in cleaner air isn’t such a bad idea. Some cities naturally have better air quality because of their location and lack of heavy industry, and others have introduced policies to clean up their air.

Newcastle, in the UK, introduced a clean air zone in 2023, and the policy is already paying off. Inverness in the Scottish Highlands got rid of its diesel buses in 2022, and again, the air in the city is improving.

In Europe, Stockholm should also be on your list. Sweden’s capital city has maintained low pollution levels by introducing environmental zones and a congestion tax.

In the US, Colorado Springs and Newark have some of the cleanest air, followed by West Palm Beach. The Florida city’s low pollution levels help preserve its scenic beaches.

Researchers from QR Code Generator have assessed the air quality of the 20 cities that are most likely to be visited according to web searches. So their top 20 aren’t just the cities with the best air quality, they’re also places you’re more likely to visit.

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