The Spanish capital, Madrid, has been named the top destination in Europe for 2026 by European Best Destinations, known for its annual rankings of cities across the continent since 2009. After an initial assessment that considered factors like tourism growth and demand, 42 destinations were voted on by travelers to identify the top 20 places to visit next year.
“Madrid is a capital where heritage and modernity blend seamlessly: renowned museums, lively neighborhoods, green spaces, innovative architecture, a flourishing culinary scene, and a distinct joie de vivre that resonates with today’s travelers,” says European Best Destinations.
Music tourism has seen significant growth, and 2026 will host some of the world’s top artists in the city.
In April, Spanish singer Rosalía will perform four consecutive concerts at the Movistar Arena during her LUX TOUR 2026. She’ll be followed by performances from Tame Impala, Louis Tomlinson, and Ne-Yo.
In late May and early June, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who performed at this year’s NFL Super Bowl halftime show, will perform 10 nights at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. Later, South Korean boy band BTS will start their first world tour post-military service.
Other top names performing in Madrid include Linkin Park, Bruno Mars, My Chemical Romance, and The Weeknd.
Formula 1 is coming to Madrid
Apart from music, motorsport fans have something to look forward to. In September, Madrid will host the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The new Madring street circuit, located around the IFEMA exhibition center, is under construction. Currently, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts the Grand Prix, but from 2028, it will alternate with other venues like the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in 2027.
A star-studded culinary scene
Food enthusiasts have reasons to celebrate as well. The city now boasts 31 Michelin-starred restaurants, with two new additions for 2026:
• Ramón Freixa Atelier (two stars)
• EMi (one star)
Ramón Freixa Atelier earned its accolades just five months after opening. The restaurant features 10 seats and a refined tasting menu.
EMi is the first solo project by chef Rubén Hernández Mosquero, drawing inspiration from New Scandinavian cuisine with Japanese and Korean techniques.
Culture without a break
Espacio Mistral, a cultural venue dedicated to theater, music, dance, cinema, and literary events, opened last October.
The 2026 program includes plays, operas, festivals, film screenings, and discussions with directors and actors.
Italy dominates the 2026 ranking
Last month, European Best Destinations named Nicosia in Cyprus the continent’s best cultural destination, ranking second overall. Italy stands out in the ranking with seven destinations in the top 20. Verona, the “city of love,” ranks fourth, followed by the colorful island of Burano in eighth position.
Cefalù in Sicily ranks 15th, followed by other Italian destinations:
• Bosa in Sardinia
• Ravello on the Amalfi Coast
• Procida Island near Naples
• Taormina, where the second season of the series “The White Lotus” was filmed.
Strongly represented countries
Spain features two destinations in the ranking:
• Almeria (10th place)
• Begur (14th place)
Portugal also stands out with:
• Camara de Lobos on Madeira Island (6th place)
• Lisbon (9th place)
• Costa Vicentina (12th place)
Greece is represented by:
• Ano Koufonisi (13th place)
• Avlemonas (16th place)
Other destinations include Paris (5th place), Alacati in Turkey (7th place), and Stavanger in Norway (11th place).
Third place goes to the Styria region in Slovenia. Last year, Maribor, the region’s largest city, was named Best Wine Capital by European Best Destinations, and nearby Ptuj was named Best Heritage City in Europe.
How the ranking is determined
European Best Destinations monitors nearly 500 cities, towns, and regions in Europe using data such as:
• international arrivals
• number of overnight stays
• growth rates
• online searches on major search engines
• international media presence
• activity and growth on social networks
From these, a list of 42 destinations with the strongest “momentum” is compiled. Travelers then vote, casting up to three votes, but not for a destination in their own country. A total of 1.3 million votes were cast, though the organizers don’t disclose how many participated.
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