World Travel Awards names Lisbon Europe's best city and Portugal leading destination for 2026
At the World Travel Awards Europe ceremony held on 17 October at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, Lisbon won Europe's best city and top cruise destination for 2026, while Portugal was named Europe's leading destination, according to Euronews Travel. Other winners announced include Turkish Airlines for leading airline and Zurich Airport for leading airport.
Key points
- Lisbon won Europe's best city and top cruise destination for 2026 at the World Travel Awards.
- Portugal was named Europe's leading destination for 2026.
- Turkish Airlines took home the title of leading airline, and Zurich Airport won leading airport.
- The regional awards ceremony took place on 17 October at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro.
What happened
The World Travel Awards announced its Europe winners on 17 October at a gala ceremony hosted at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, according to Euronews Travel. Lisbon secured the titles for Europe's best city and top cruise destination for 2026, while Portugal overall was named Europe's leading destination.
Other notable regional winners reported by Euronews Travel included Turkish Airlines as Europe's leading airline, Volotea as the leading low-cost carrier, and Switzerland's Zurich Airport taking the top airport award.
Context
The World Travel Awards has handed out accolades across the industry for the past 33 years, covering categories from airlines and airports to hotels and destinations, as reported by Euronews Travel. Additional category winners include The Chancery Rosewood in London as the leading new hotel for 2026, and The Gritti Palace in Venice as Europe's most romantic hotel.
Regional ceremonies have now concluded, with overall winners scheduled to be crowned at a gala in Tanzania on 12 December.
What's next
According to Euronews Travel, the overall winners of the World Travel Awards are scheduled to be crowned at a final gala ceremony in Tanzania on 12 December.
Why it matters
Lisbon and Portugal secured top honors at the World Travel Awards Europe ceremony on 17 October, highlighting leading destinations and operators for 2026.
What we know
- Euronews Travel reports the World Travel Awards Europe ceremony took place on 17 October at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro.
- Euronews Travel reports Lisbon was named Europe's best city and top cruise destination for 2026.
- Euronews Travel reports Portugal was named Europe's leading destination for 2026.
- Euronews Travel reports Turkish Airlines was named Europe's leading airline for 2026 and Zurich Airport won leading airport.
What remains unclear
- Overall winners are scheduled to be crowned at a gala in Tanzania on 12 December, as reported by Euronews Travel.
