This paper explores the connection between the green economy and smart cities. Nowadays, cities are striving to enhance the quality of life for their residents by investing in new technologies and the green economy to meet the demands of technology and sustainable urban management. Smart cities are a vision being realized worldwide, creating new approaches based on local realities and needs to ensure a better standard of living for citizens and create an ideal living environment. In Croatia, city digitalization is becoming a necessity as it lags behind other countries worldwide. Nonetheless, there are significant efforts by some cities that need to be intensified to drive cities towards new technologies, digital dynamics, and the green economy. This paper is based on this hypothesis: Smart cities that direct their focus to the effective implementation of green economy initiatives will provide citizens with more satisfaction and a better quality of life. The case study will focus on the city of Osijek, which won the Best Eco-city award in 2021, showcasing impressive results in implementing green initiatives to inspire other cities to adopt and effectively implement the concept of smart eco-cities. Through the analysis of professional literature and a conducted survey questionnaire, several important findings have been concluded. In summary, the development of smart cities and the green economy has a significant impact on citizen satisfaction. By employing advanced technologies and sustainable practices, cities can create healthier, more efficient, and pleasant living environments for their residents. The citizens of Osijek have noticed improvements in environmental cleanliness and the overall city due to the implementation of green initiatives. The pursuit of smart cities and the green economy is crucial for building a better future for people and the entire planet. Some areas that the city of Osijek needs to work on regarding green initiatives include implementing additional measures to address climate change challenges, improving air and water quality, involving citizens more frequently in the implementation of green initiatives, and increasing transparency and accountability in the execution of these initiatives.