European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism
Torino 2025 - European Capital of Smart Tourism. Photo S. Ramachandran
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The European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Awards recognise outstanding achievements in smart and sustainable tourism.
The Smart Tourism Capitals of Europe award is a European Commission initiative that recognises best practices in Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitisation and Cultual Heritage and creativity. The award has been given to leading cities in Europe since 2018 and a Compendium of Best Practices has been compiled from the cities' submissions in 2019 and 2020.
Smart Tourism initiative
Under the umbrella of Smart Tourism, the European Commission has launched two competitions to promote smart and sustainable tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.
The European Capital of Smart Tourism recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity.
The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, successor of the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition, rewards smaller destinations that have implemented successful strategies to boost sustainable tourism through green transition practices.
Smart Tourism is an EU initiative, currently financed under the Single Market Programme (SMP) - former COSME Programme. It is built on the successful experience of the Preparatory Action proposed by the European Parliament and implemented by the European Commission.
Winners of the 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Competitions
Tampere (Finland) and Dubrovnik (Croatia) were selected as the winners of the 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, respectively, following a European Jury meeting in Brussels on 18-19 November 2025.
European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026 - finalists
Six remaining cities were shortlisted as finalists in the 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. View their profiles on the EU Smart Tourism Capitals Webpages, using the links below:
European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026 shortlist
Seven remaining destinations were shortlisted in the 2026 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competition. View their profiles on the EU Smart Tourism Capitals Webpages, using the links below: .
- Geestland, Germany
- Ibiza, Spain
- Laois, Ireland
- Mariagerfjord, Denmark
- Marmaris, Turkey
- Rebild, Denmark
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Tartu, Finland