Lisbon named Europe's best city and cruise destination for 2026

Lisbon has been distinguished as the Best City Destination in Europe at the World Travel Awards Europe 2026 (source in Portuguese). The Portuguese capital was also named Best Cruise Destination in Europe. The two accolades were presented on Saturday, 17 October, at a ceremony in Kotor Bay, Montenegro.

In a statement, the Lisbon Tourism Association says these awards “recognise Lisbon’s international appeal and the diversity of its tourism offer”.

António Valle, director-general of the Lisbon Tourism Association, quoted in the statement, stresses that “these awards show how Lisbon is a unique and authentic destination”.

“Lisbon sets itself apart from the main European destinations by valuing its own identity while responding to different travel motivations,” he says, underlining that the awards are also “recognition of a collective effort to improve and enhance the tourism offer”.

For António Valle, these prizes “help boost the local economy and reaffirm the authenticity and identity that sets” the Portuguese capital apart.

“Lisbon is increasingly setting the trend in the international tourism sector, creating value both for those who visit us and for those who live and work here,” he adds.

The Lisbon Tourism Association also points out that “the focus on improving the offer, enhancing heritage and culture, and diversifying the experiences available across the entire Lisbon Metropolitan Area remains central to the destination’s international competitiveness”.

“This strategy seeks to attract visitors who stay longer, discover different parts of the region and help generate greater economic and social value,” the note sent to newsrooms adds.

The World Travel Awards are among the most prestigious international distinctions in the tourism sector and annually reward destinations, hotels, airlines and other industry players.

This year the ceremony took place at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, a five-star luxury hotel in Kotor Bay, in south-west Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This was the first time the Balkan country had hosted the awards in the 33-year history of the World Travel Awards.

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