For its cultural heritage, the dynamism of its neighborhoods, its green spaces, its innovative architecture, its constantly evolving gastronomic scene, its lifestyle that connects with the aspirations of current travelers... For all these reasons Madrid has just been chosen as Best destination in Europe 2026, one of the most prestigious tourism awards on the continent. The capital has obtained the first position thanks to the 127,438 international votes in the competition organized by European Best Destinations, an association based in Brussels that promotes tourism in Europe in collaboration with more than 300 tourism offices and with the EDEN network of sustainable destinations of the European Commission.
More than 1.3 million votes have been registered from people from 153 countries around the world, of which Spain has taken the first place within the initial selection of more than 500 destinations. Following Madrid in the ranking are Nicosia (Cyprus), the region of tajerska (Slovenia), Verona (Italy) and Paris (France), thus completing the top five preferred places, which highlights that Madrid represents "a new urban model: vibrant and human, cosmopolitan and warm" and that its choice reflects a clear trend among European and international travelers towards destinations that offer culture, authenticity, and quality of life.
Completing the top ten are Câmara de Lobos (Madeira, Portugal), Alaçati (Turkey), Burano (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), and Almería (Spain). The capital of our country has succeeded Monaco as the best tourist destination, as the Principality was the winner last year, while Madrid then occupied the fourth position in the ranking. In 2024, however, another Spanish city, Marbella, was chosen for its privileged climate, its well-being atmosphere, its hotel and gastronomic offer, its ability to attract audiences of all kinds...
The 'top ten' of the most tourist destinations
1. Madrid (Spain).
2. Nicosia (Cyprus).
3. ¦tajerska (Slovenia).
4. Verona (Italy).
5. Paris (France).
6. Câmara de Lobos (Madeira, Portugal).
7. Alaçati (Türkiye).
8. Burano (Italy).
9. Lisbon (Portugal).
10. Almeria (Spain).
To select the candidate destinations, a process has been carried out that combines the analysis of Eurostat data with search trends, growth in social networks, and international media visibility of the destinations, in addition to an open vote among registered travelers from around the world, in which participants cannot vote for territories of their own country.
The Royal Palace of the capital
On the other hand, the delegate councilor for Tourism of the capital city, Almudena Maíllo, is clear that this award "belongs to the people of Madrid who make this city, with its welcoming character, a unique place." She also thanked "the involvement of professionals in the sector and all those who work every day to ensure that Madrid offers the best of itself."
This is not the first time that the city has strengthened its position as a tourist hub. In the last two years, it has also been chosen as the most attractive urban destination on the planet according to Euromonitor, as well as one of the top five cities in the world according to Resonance. The British magazine Wanderlust has considered it the most desired city in Europe, and in the latest World Travel Awards, the Oscars of tourism, it was chosen as the best congress and meeting destination in the world by the World Travel Awards.