Arnhem is the greenest city in the Netherlands to live in but Amsterdam remains the most attractive, according to the latest local authority atlas compiled by research bureau Atlas Research. 

The report is based on ranking the 50 biggest local authorities in the Netherlands on more than 50 different indicators, ranging from employment opportunities, universities, house prices and cultural attractions. 

This year the atlas pays special attention to the quality of green spaces and waterways such as canals and lakes and Arnhem tops that particular ranking. “People value having a nice view. They want to be able to take a walk in the park close to home and picnic with the kids,” researcher Marten Middeldorp told the NRC.

Zwolle is a close second in the greenest city ranking, followed at a considerable distance by Velsen, Bergen op Zoom and Alkmaar. 

Dutch destinations: go on an adventure in Arnhem

The Dutch capital Amsterdam again tops the general ranking, followed by Amstelveen, Leiden and Utrecht, with Emmen in last place. 

“We are not saying that Emmen is not a nice place to live,” Middeldorp said. “There is a lot of green, it has a good zoo and is safe. But there are few jobs and other provisions and culinary high points are thin on the ground. And these are all things which the average Dutch person finds attractive.”