Athens has secured two major distinctions on the European tourism stage, reinforcing its status as a leading cultural and travel destination.
At this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards, a benchmark institution for the global tourism industry, the Greek capital was named Europe’s Leading Cultural City Destination and Europe’s Leading City Tourist Board.
In the first category, Athens prevailed over some of Europe’s most iconic cities, including Paris, London, Prague, Rome, Venice, Dubrovnik, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Porto, and Palma de Mallorca. In the second, it outperformed strong contenders such as Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, London, Berlin, and Batumi.
These honors add to a growing list of international recognitions Athens has earned in recent years at the same awards. In 2023, the city was crowned World’s Leading Cultural City Destination and Europe’s Leading City Break Destination, further cementing its place among Europe’s top urban getaways.
According to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the city’s latest success was attributed to a collective effort uniting residents, tourism professionals, and cultural creators who contribute daily to the capital’s vibrant rhythm.
The mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, emphasized that the awards reflect the city’s ongoing transformation—where past meets future, culture merges with contemporary life, and tradition blends with innovation.
Under a clear vision for sustainable growth and cultural prominence, Athens continues to rise steadily on Europe’s cultural and tourism map—an open, dynamic, and confident city, proud of its identity and increasingly captivating to the world.
