Lisbon has been named Europe’s Best City Destination and Cruise Destination for 2026 at the World Travel Awards Europe, securing two major tourism honours for the Portuguese capital at a ceremony held in Montenegro on Saturday, 17 October.
The awards recognise Lisbon’s appeal to international visitors and its position as a destination for both city breaks and cruise travel. The World Travel Awards Europe 2026 ceremony took place in Kotor Bay, Montenegro, bringing together tourism industry representatives to recognise destinations and businesses across the sector.
In a statement, the Lisbon Tourism Association said the awards “recognise Lisbon’s international appeal and the diversity of its tourism offer”.
António Valle, director-general of the association, said the recognition reflected Lisbon’s ability to maintain its identity while meeting the interests of different types of travellers. He described the Portuguese capital as a unique and authentic destination, adding that the awards also acknowledged the collective effort to improve the city’s tourism offering.
Valle said the honours could help strengthen the local economy while reinforcing the characteristics that distinguish Lisbon from other European destinations. He also noted that the city’s growing international profile creates value not only for visitors but also for people who live and work there.
The Lisbon Tourism Association said its strategy focuses on improving visitor experiences, protecting and promoting cultural heritage, and expanding the range of activities available across the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The aim is to encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more of the surrounding region and contribute more broadly to the local economy and communities.
The dual recognition places attention on two important aspects of Lisbon’s tourism sector. Its city destination award acknowledges the capital’s broader appeal, while the cruise destination title highlights its role in European cruise travel. Together, the awards recognise the different ways international visitors experience the city.
The World Travel Awards are an annual programme that recognises destinations, hotels, airlines and other organisations in the global travel and tourism industry. The European ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, a luxury hotel on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.
The 2026 event also marked the first time Montenegro had hosted the World Travel Awards in the programme’s 33-year history. The ceremony took place in the Bay of Kotor, an area known for its coastal landscape and historic settlements that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For Lisbon, the two awards provide further international recognition as the city continues to develop its tourism offer around cultural heritage, regional experiences and its position as a destination for cruise passengers. The Lisbon Tourism Association has emphasised that maintaining this appeal depends on improving the visitor experience while ensuring tourism creates economic and social value for the wider metropolitan area.
