Europe has named the best tourist city for 2026

In 2026, Lisbon was recognized as the best urban tourist destination in Europe and the best cruise destination. The World Travel Awards were presented on October 17 at a ceremony in Montenegro. The awards highlight the tourist attractiveness of Lisbon, as reported by Euronews.

Awards won by Lisbon in 2026

The Portuguese capital won in two categories: it was named the best urban destination and the best cruise destination in Europe. The ceremony took place in Kotor Bay, on the Adriatic Coast.

The Lisbon Tourism Association stated that the awards recognize the city's international attractiveness and the diversity of tourist offerings. The organization's director, António Valle, called the capital of Portugal a unique and authentic destination.

Lisbon has also appeared in rankings of European cities for beauty and appeal to travelers: in the list of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it ranked second.

What attracts tourists to Lisbon

According to Valle, the city stands out for preserving its own identity while offering various leisure formats. He also described the awards as a recognition of the collective efforts aimed at developing tourist infrastructure.

The Lisbon Tourism Association plans to continue developing offerings for guests, focusing on culture, historical heritage, and new experiences throughout the metropolitan area. The goal of this strategy is to encourage tourists to stay longer, visit various parts of the region, and support the local economy.

The city's popularity is increasing not only among tourists: earlier, Lisbon topped the ranking of cities for expats based on the results of 2026.