What can Smart Destinations offer you?

Benidorm

This city in Alicante is surrounded by the Serra Gelada Natural Park, the Bernia and Puig Campan mountains, as well as nine kilometres of beaches and has turned sustainability and the pollution reduction into key pillars of its growth.Thanks to its compact city model, Benidorm grows upwards rather than across, thus consuming less land and resources, which means fewer kilometres of asphalt, reduced pollution when travelling and less expenditure when supplying basic services, which is a clear example of sustainability.Active tourism is one of its greatest assets. Hiking, cable-skiing, paragliding and diving are just some of the sports you can do during your holidays. Cycle the city effortlessly, thanks to its network of electric bicycles and enjoy personalised guided routes for all ages.   And did you know that 30% of the city's wastewater is used for irrigation once treated? An example of sustainability and reuse of resources.  

Gijón

In this city in northern Asturias, you can enjoy tourism in a different way. You can discover the city through your mobile phone, with six guided routes that also feature augmented reality, and you can also discover the Roman town of Veranes through its virtual tour. Gijón offers you endless opportunities to embark on an eco-friendly holiday alone or with someone. Hotels, restaurants and institutions offer sustainable alternatives during your stay: bicycles for rent to explore the city and its surroundings, electric vehicle charging points and eco-friendly and local cuisine are just some of the services you can find.  Cultural spaces are also at the forefront of sustainability: in the Gijón Aquarium and the marina activities raise awareness about the care of the seabed and respect for nature.The descent of the Sella, windsurfing or the sighting of wild fauna are part of the active tourism offerings. After doing some sport, relax on one of its beaches, like San Lorenzo or L’Arbeyal. 

Santander

When you visit Santander, you will feel like you are inside a fairy tale. In addition to having one of the most beautiful bays according to the international association ”Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World“, its mountain and beach landscapes and its traditional and avant-garde architecture make it a unique city. Located north of Cantabria, this coastal city is committed to digital transformation, through platforms such as Santander Smart City, which seeks to integrate information from different services, like waste management, the maintenance of green spaces or pollution levels; and Santander SmartCitizen, with technological solutions to create comfortable and easy-to-use services.   Thanks to the initiative ”Parqueando” you will find large green spaces across the city, which you can visit by bicycle thanks to its extensive network of cycle lanes. Also, do not forget to taste its most traditional food in one of its gastronomic areas, where restaurants prefer zero kilometre products for their quality, freshness and proximity. 

Barcelona

Barcelona (Catalonia) is the first city in the world to have obtained Biosphere certification as a responsible tourist destination, a recognition that accredits its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. Since obtaining this certification, many local businesses have joined the Barcelona Biosphere Commitment to Sustainable Tourism.Along these same lines, Barcelona has opted to incorporate new technologies to make visits to some of its tourist attractions more inclusive. For example, the Barcelona Zoo has developed Zoobot, an accessible chatbot that makes visits easier for people with disabilities. For its part, Park Güell has implemented an app that adapts its content to the needs of each visitor.In addition, Barcelona offers multiple sustainable options for enjoying and exploring the city, such as its more than 250 kilometres of bike paths. It also boasts its “Unique Shops,” stores where you can purchase local, artisanal and designer products with their own unique identity, as well as a gastronomic offering based on local and seasonal produce.

Bilbao

Bilbao (Basque Country) is a global benchmark for urban transformation and industrial reconversion. Since the opening of its iconic Guggenheim Museum in 1997, the city has reinvented itself and accommodated other works by renowned international architects, such as the towers of Arata Isozaki and the Zubizuri Bridge by Santiago Calatrava.Bilbao stands out in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) ranking, which highlights the cities most committed to sustainability in its various aspects. This position is the result of ongoing work in areas such as sustainable mobility, efficient water management and promoting social well-being.Among its initiatives are the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and the application of the Slow Food Kilometre Zero philosophy to different restaurants.

Donostia-San Sebastián

This city in the Basque Country is recognised for being a global icon of gastronomy and for its unique beauty. One of its greatest attractions is that it perfectly combines support for its ancient language and culture with a commitment to innovation.Spending a few days off in Donostia-San Sebastián means enjoying its impressive nature and open-air spaces, since 20.3% of all developed land are green spaces. In addition, it has launched a low-emission zone, replacing car travel with other more eco-friendly alternatives. Did you know that it has around 80 kilometres of bicycle paths?Other sustainable initiatives in the city include “Zero Plastik” (at hotels and tourist apartments) and “Donostia Without Waste” (at bars and restaurants).Furthermore, in its effort to promote its identity, it is supporting events such as La Tamborrada (The Tamborrada Festival) and the San Sebastian Film Festival, as well as venues like the Museum of Basque Culture.

Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa Brava (Catalonia) and combines a charming old quarter with crystal-clear beaches and a vibrant nightlife.Sustainable Lloret by Bioscore is an innovative initiative to promote a more responsible tourism model. It is a comprehensive management system that allows for periodic analysis of the destination's sustainability through key indicators and promotes objectives such as the circular economy, sustainable mobility and the preservation of the natural environment.In line with Catalonia's SmartCAT initiative, the municipality is working on modernising its infrastructure, such as expanding its fibre optic network and creating a comprehensive Wi-Fi system.Lloret de Mar's commitment to sustainability and coexistence between tourists and residents is also reflected in its civic-minded campaigns under slogans such as “With respect, everyone fits in Lloret”.

If you want to know other destinations that are working to join the Network of Smart Destinations, you can visit its website https://www.destinosinteligentes.es