Travel + Leisure has released its 31st annual World's Best Awards, based on votes from over 207,000 readers. While the global top spot went to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, the highest-ranked European city—Florence—came in 13th overall. The magazine praised Florence for its "Renaissance treasures, fabulous hotels, and neighbourhood trattorias."
Europe's Top Five
Prague, the Czech capital, secured second place in Europe (18th globally), followed by Salzburg in Austria (22nd). Kraków, Poland, and Porto, Portugal, rounded out the top five. The list reflects a strong showing for Italy and Portugal, each placing three cities in the top 15: Florence, Rome, and Siena for Italy; Porto, Funchal, and Lisbon for Portugal. Austria and Spain contributed two each: Salzburg and Vienna, and Seville and Madrid.
Other notable entries include Ljubljana (Slovenia), Bruges (Belgium), and Budapest (Hungary). The full European top 15 is: Florence, Prague, Salzburg, Kraków, Porto, Ljubljana, Rome, Funchal, Bruges, Seville, Vienna, Lisbon, Madrid, Siena, Budapest.
This ranking comes as European travellers increasingly seek immersive experiences. A recent Mastercard survey found that nearly half of European travellers plan 'skillidays' this summer, blending learning with leisure. Read more: Nearly Half of European Travellers Plan 'Skillidays' This Summer, Mastercard Survey Finds.
The list also highlights a shift toward slower, more responsible tourism. For example, the Lake District recently launched an unlimited travel pass for car-free visitors, encouraging sustainable exploration. See: Lake District Launches €47 Unlimited Travel Pass for Car-Free Visitors.
As extreme weather and conflicts reshape travel patterns, destinations like Florence and Prague offer cultural depth and resilience. For more on these trends, read: Extreme Weather, Conflicts, and Responsible Tourism Reshape European Travel in 2026.
Travel + Leisure noted that "tried-and-true reign supreme with phenomenal attractions, superlative hotels, and electric dining scenes." The rankings underscore Europe's enduring appeal for discerning travellers seeking authenticity and quality.
