The World Travel Awards Europe 2026 have recognised leading destinations, hotels, airlines and airports across the continent, with Lisbon taking two major titles at the annual awards ceremony in Montenegro on 17 October.
The ceremony, held at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, marked the 33rd year of the World Travel Awards, which recognises achievements across the global travel and tourism industry. Lisbon emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, earning the titles of Europe’s Leading City Destination and Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination for 2026.
Portugal also received the award for Europe’s Leading Destination, adding to the country’s recognition across the destination categories. The results offer travellers a range of ideas for planning holidays, from beach escapes and cultural trips to outdoor adventures and city breaks.
The awards covered destinations with different strengths and appeal. Portugal’s Algarve was named Europe’s Leading Beach Destination, while Athens received the title of Europe’s Leading City Break Destination. Italy was recognised as Europe’s Leading Cultural Destination, and Armenia took the award for Europe’s Leading Heritage Destination.
Spain was named Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, while Montenegro received the title of Europe’s Leading Nature Destination. Together, the results highlight the range of experiences available across Europe, from coastal holidays and historic cities to trips focused on outdoor activities and natural landscapes.
The hotel categories also produced a broad selection of winners, recognising properties for their design, location and suitability for different types of holiday. London’s The Chancery Rosewood was named Europe’s Leading New Hotel, while AMOH, a Luxury Collection Resort in Rhodes, Greece, received the award for Europe’s Leading New Resort. Avali, Mar-Bella Collection, in Corfu was recognised in the boutique resort category.
For travellers seeking a romantic break, The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Venice, received the title of Europe’s Most Romantic Hotel. Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection, in Crete was named Europe’s Leading Honeymoon Resort, while Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, also in Crete, took the award for Europe’s Leading Beach Resort.
Greece featured prominently in several other hotel categories. Ikos Odisia in Corfu was recognised as Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort, while Sani Resort on the Halkidiki coast received the title of Europe’s Leading Family Resort. The results underline the country’s strong presence among the continent’s resort destinations.
Portugal also appeared in the hotel awards through Lisbon’s 1908 Lisboa Hotel, which was recognised in the design hotel category. In Ireland, Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in West Cork received recognition as an island resort, while Edinburgh’s Fingal Hotel, a converted former Northern Lighthouse Board ship, offered a distinctive option for travellers seeking accommodation with a maritime setting.
The awards extended beyond destinations and accommodation to the transport companies and facilities that help visitors reach them. Turkish Airlines was named Europe’s Leading Airline for 2026, while Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea won the title of Europe’s Leading Low-Cost Airline. Zurich Airport in Switzerland received the award for Europe’s Leading Airport.
The European ceremony is part of the World Travel Awards’ wider programme of regional events. With the regional ceremonies completed, the organisation is scheduled to announce its overall global winners at a gala in Tanzania on 12 December 2026.
The European results provide a snapshot of the destinations and tourism businesses receiving recognition this year, but travellers should still consider their own priorities, budgets and travel dates when choosing where to go. An award can help identify places worth researching, while the right holiday ultimately depends on the experience each visitor wants.
