When I started thinking about greener travel, I was tired of seeing so many options that looked eco-friendly but didn’t really meet strong standards. Ecobnb caught my eye because it’s built around real sustainability criteria and caring for places, people, and the planet, and not just pretty photos.
What Is Ecobnb?
Ecobnb is a platform and community based in Italy that connects people who want to travel more responsibly with eco-friendly places to stay. You’ll find everything from farmhouses and bio-hotels to bed & breakfasts, treehouses, and rural stays, all committed to being gentle on nature and respectful of local communities. It started around 2013, growing out of a project called Viaggi Verdi (Green Travels), and now includes accommodations in over 60 countries.
How It Ensures Places Are Actually Green
To be listed on Ecobnb, a property must meet at least 5 out of 10 sustainability criteria. These include things like using 100% renewable energy, serving organic or local food, being accessible without a car, using eco-friendly cleaning products, recycling more than 80% of waste, having water conservation features, and more.
Ecobnb isn’t a certifier itself, and it doesn’t issue a single eco label. Instead it makes visible which criteria each property meets.
Features I Love
Here are a few of Ecobnb’s features that I think make it worth using:
🌲 “Reconnect” loyalty program: when you stay in an Ecobnb that meets criteria or take certain eco-friendly actions, you earn points to use on future stays.
🌲 Transparent info about environmental practices per stay: you can see which of the 10 criteria each place fulfills, so you can pick based on what matters most to you (for me that’s often renewable energy, local food, and waste recycling).
🌲 Eco impact reporting: Ecobnb publishes data on how many people use the platform, how many nights are booked, how much CO2 is saved, number of new eco-accommodations, etc. Seeing numbers like “438 new eco-friendly accommodations joined in one year” or “35,162 kg of CO2 saved” makes it feel more real – and inspiring!
Where & How It Works
Ecobnb is based in Trento, Italy, and while most of its listings are in Europe, the platform also includes eco-friendly accommodations around the world. You can browse and book stays easily from anywhere through their website.
You can filter for stays by type (farmhouse, B&B, bio-hotel etc.), and also filter by which sustainability criteria are most important to you.
Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation and the location. Smaller stays, like eco B&Bs, often start around €70–€120 per night, while glamping sites or farm-stay experiences can cost a bit more.
Some properties offer discounts if you arrive by train or bus, encouraging more responsible travel.
Possible Downsides & What to Watch Out For
Because standards are somewhat self-reported and verified in part by guests, sometimes the fulfilment of these criteria can vary in practice. Also, more remote or rural places tend to cost more or have fewer non-luxury options. As with any travel booking, it’s important to check photos and reviews beforehand.
Why It Could Be Your Go-To Green Booking Platform
For someone who values authenticity and measurable impact in travel, Ecobnb checks so many boxes. It helps you travel in ways that reduce emissions and support local economies. Even staying one or two nights in a place that meets strong sustainability criteria makes a difference.
If you enjoy thoughtful travel, I think you’ll like exploring with Ecobnb.