These are the 10 Cleanest Tourist Cities in the World, According to a New Study

A recent study analyzed global waste stats and public perception to find the cities keeping their streets the cleanest.

Clean streets might not be the reason you book a flight somewhere, but they definitely make a difference once you’re there. I’ve visited plenty of cities where litter piles up faster than the sightseeing list, and others where you can walk around all day without spotting a single gum wrapper. It’s one of those little things that can quietly shape your impression of a place.

A new study by Eagle Dumpster Rental ranked major tourist destinations based on how clean their streets actually are. The researchers looked at waste collection, how much trash each person produces, and how satisfied locals are with how things are managed. Lower scores meant cleaner cities.

Here are the 10 cities that topped the list.

Hofburg palace on St. Michael square (Michaelerplatz), Vienna, Austria — Mistervlad / Shutterstock

10. Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s the kind of place where even the subways feel clean. It’s quiet, efficient, and you don’t see piles of trash in the corners. Even with lots of tourists, especially in summer, the city still feels calm and well-maintained. It’s just an easy place to walk around.

Quebec City, Canada - November 7, 2022: View of historic lower Quebec City in Canada seen at night with people and lights — Little Vignettes Photo / Shutterstock

9. Quebec City, Canada

If you’ve ever wandered around Old Quebec, you know how pristine it feels. It’s got that European charm, without any grime. Everything from the cobblestone streets to the small shops feels like it’s been cared for. Even during festival season, it somehow stays tidy.

Bike over canal Amsterdam city. Picturesque town landscape in Netherlands with view on river Amstel. — Editorial credit: Yasonya / Shutterstock.com

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam does get busy, but it’s rare to see much trash on the streets. The canals, the bikes, the cafes, it all feels pretty clean and organized. The city produces a decent amount of waste, but they clearly have a good system in place to manage it.

Two geishas wearing traditional japanese kimono among Sensoji Temple in Asakusa Tokyo, Japan. — Editorial credit: Phattana Stock / Shutterstock.com

7. Tokyo, Japan
It’s kind of amazing how clean Tokyo is, especially considering how massive it is. There aren’t even many public trash cans, but people still don’t litter. Everyone just… takes their trash home. The respect for public spaces is built into the culture here, and it shows. (It was just one of many things that surprised me as an American in Japan.)

low angle and full length asian girl backpacker is gazing into the distance while wandering around at Yasaka dori near Hokanji Temple in Kyoto, japan at dusk. — Photo credit: PR Image Factory / Shutterstock.com

6. Kyoto, Japan

It’s been a while since I’ve been to Kyoto, but I remember feeling like the tourist crowds there were even heavier than in Tokyo, at least around the major sites. That said, once you step away from the popular spots, Kyoto feels much quieter and more peaceful overall. The streets are clean pretty much everywhere, even in the residential areas, which really adds to the calm vibe the city is known for.

6th January 2019, Sydney NSW Australia : Streetview of Pitt pedestrian street full of people in Sydney Australia — Keitma / Shutterstock

5. Sydney, Australia

Sydney has a big city feel, but it doesn’t come with the usual grime. The waterfront areas are especially clean, and even in the more crowded neighborhoods, things feel pretty well looked after. It’s the kind of place where you notice how nice the parks and sidewalks are, even if you weren’t thinking about cleanliness at all. I remember being impressed with how clean public transport is as well. (I used to live in Sydney and also have a great itinerary if you’re interested in visiting!)

Cape Town, South Africa - December 30, 2014: City life with picturesque cobblestone streets, restaurants and flaneurs at Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. — Sybille Reuter / Shutterstock

4. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town’s scenery steals the show, but the city itself does a good job of keeping up. Tourist-heavy spots like the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain trailheads are kept tidy, and even with ongoing infrastructure challenges, there’s clearly effort being made. You get the sense that people care about keeping their city presentable.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - April 10, 2015 : Tourists on foot Street in old town PRAGUE in Czech Republic — ilolab / Shutterstock

3. Prague, Czech Republic

For a city that’s packed with visitors year-round, Prague holds it together surprisingly well. The historic center stays neat, the public transit areas are clean, and even the more residential zones don’t show a lot of wear and tear. The balance between preserving old-world charm and maintaining modern cleanliness is done really well here.

Denmark. Copenhagen. Houses and streets of Copenhagen. City autumn landscape. September 19, 2018 — SergeyPhoto7 / Shutterstock

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen just works. The streets are clean, the public spaces are thoughtfully designed, and waste doesn’t pile up the way it does in a lot of other big cities. There’s a focus on sustainability and recycling, but it doesn’t feel forced. It’s just how the city operates, and it clearly works.

SINGAPORE - FEB 11: Shoppers walk through Chinatown as Singapore welcomes in Chinese New Year on Feb 11, 2012 in Singapore. The city state's ethnic Chinese began settling in Chinatown circa 1820s. — 1000 Words / Shutterstock

1. Singapore, Singapore

Singapore basically sets the bar. The rules around littering are strict (and yes, the chewing gum thing is real), but the result is a city that feels spotless without feeling fake. Even with heavy foot traffic in places like Marina Bay and Chinatown, everything is impressively clean. You’ll notice it right away, and honestly, you’ll probably miss it when you leave.

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