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For the past 33 years, the World Travel Awards has handed out gongs to the very best of the industry, from airlines and airports to hotels and destinations.
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With such a wide scope, the list of winners can get seriously lengthy – which is why we’ve combed through the Europe awards to narrow it down to the ones you need to know about.
Announced on 17 October at a gala ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, Lisbon took home the biggest prize of the night, being named Europe’s best city, as well as the top cruise destination for 2026.
Here are all the other winners you might have missed.
Where you should be heading on your next holiday
Across its various destination categories, the World Travel Awards has rounded up the different countries and cities you should be visiting depending on the type of holiday you’re after.
Beach bum? Then the Portuguese Algarve is the spot for you. Prefer more of a city break? Book your flight to Athens ASAP.
If you’re all about culture, then it’s Italy that should be calling your name, while those who are after heritage should be headed to Armenia.
For those who like to turn their holiday into an adventure, Spain is the place to be, while those who want to enjoy some time in nature will love Montenegro.
While Lisbon was named Europe’s best city, Portugal was also given the title of Europe’s leading destination for 2026.
Where you should be staying
Long-time readers will know we’ve already covered many, many, many rankings of the best new hotels for 2026 (from Travel + Leisure, Forbes and Esquire, to name a few), but of course, the World Travel Awards has had its say, too.
The Chancery Rosewood in London was crowned the leading new hotel for 2026, while AMOH, a Luxury Collection Resort in Rhodes was named the leading new resort. For a boutique stay like no other, Avali, Mar-Bella Collection in Corfu, is the place to book.
Much like its destination categories, World Travel Awards also handed gongs out based on the type of hotel.
Unsurprisingly, a hotel in Venice – The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel – took the title of Europe’s most romantic hotel, while those looking to book their honeymoon will want to stay at Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection in Crete.
If you want to spend most of your time flopped on the beach, book Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas in Crete, and if you don’t want to leave the resort at all, try the all-inclusive Ikos Odisia in Corfu.
If you’re travelling as a family, Sani Resort on Greece’s Halkidiki coast has everything you need, while those with an interest in interior design should be booking 1908 Lisboa Hotel in Portugal.
For an island resort, try Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in West Cork, and for a boutique stay with a twist, book Fingal Hotel in Edinburgh (the twist being that the hotel is floating).
Who you should be flying with – and where from
The World Travel Awards also crowned Europe’s best airlines and airports.
Turkish Airlines was named the continent’s leading airline for 2026, while Volotea took home the title of leading low-cost carrier. As for airports, Switzerland’s Zurich Airport walked away with the top award.
The World Travel Awards has already hosted all of its regional ceremonies, with the overall winners set to be crowned on 12 December at a gala in Tanzania.
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