From Nicosia to Oxford, here are the ten European cities chosen in an annual poll of experts and travellers of the best places to visit for culture in 2026.
European Best Destinations (EBD) has selected ten European cities in their annual poll of best places to visit for culture in 2026. The selection was made from a shortlist of 40—ranging from global capitals to lesser-known cultural hubs, using quantifiable cultural measures, including the concentration of museums, the variety of cultural institutions and the depth of their year-round programming. EBD’s panel of cultural specialists also reviewed each city’s historical significance, contemporary creative scene, quality of the visitor experience and global cultural standing. In the final stage, 22,093 travelers, across 131 countries, evaluated these ten cities based on their interest in visiting in 2026, the genuineness of the cultural atmosphere, and overall cultural appeal. The final rankings reflect an even balance between expert judgment and traveler perspectives. Each city received two ratings — Expert Score and Traveler Score — each weighted equally to produce the Final Cultural Score (out of 20).
1.Nicosia, Cyprus
Expert Score: 18.8/20 Traveler Score: 18.4/20 Final Cultural Score: 18.6/20
Named Europe’s Best Cultural Destination for 2026, Nicosia describes itself as “the brightest capital in Europe.” Experts highlighted its rare balance of deep-rooted heritage and vibrant contemporary expression, while travelers were drawn to its welcoming spirit and unmistakable Mediterranean cultural feel.
A guided walking tour with GetYourGuide offers a fascinating way to explore both the Greek and Turkish sides of Europe’s last divided capital (be sure to bring your passport). On the Greek side, art enthusiasts should not miss Nimac, housed in a former power station and recognised as the island’s oldest and largest contemporary art centre. Another highlight is 11 Parthenon, the private modernist home of Andre Zivanari, director of the Point Centre for Contemporary Art. Filled with works by regional artists, it also hosts rotating exhibitions and is open on Fridays or by appointment.
Stay: Inside the Walled City, Amyth of Nicosia, a member of Design Hotels, is perfectly situated just steps from historic landmarks or at the high tech MAP Boutique Hotel for contemporary luxury.
2. Florence, Italy
Expert Score: 19.6/20 Traveler Score: 17.3/20 Final CulturalScore: 18.45/20
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading cultural destinations, Florence is the essential city for art lovers. At its center is the iconic Duomo, one of the largest churches in the world with its famous Brunelleschi-designed dome. Top art museums like the Uffizi Galleries feature works by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Just around the corner, Michelangelo’s “David” stands in the Galleria dell’Accademia, a powerful symbol of Renaissance skill and ambition. Yet Florence is far from stuck in the past — modern spaces such as Centro Pecci and Aria Art Gallery continue to introduce fresh perspectives, ensuring the city’s artistic dialogue keeps evolving. Fashion museums from Gucci and Ferragamo and fabulous Tuscan food (including gelato) ensure the Tuscan city continues to offer endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, a 15th-century palazzo surrounded by private gardens, or the 5-star Hotel Savoy a Rocco Forte Hotel, with regular art installations, near the Duomo.
3. Vienna, Austria
Expert Score: 19.2/20 Traveler Score: 17.5/20 Final Cultural Score: 18.35/20
Experts praise Vienna for the way it balances historic tradition with contemporary innovation, while visitors are drawn to its elegance, world-class museums and steady cultural pulse. Vienna’s Museum Quarter houses contemporary galleries and historic ones like the Leopold Museum, home to works by Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. And speaking of Gustav Klimt, the Belvedere holds the world’s largest collection of paintings by this artist, with 24 works, including the iconic “The Kiss” (1908–1909). The Kunsthistorisches Museum spans centuries of art, while the Albertina features modern art exhibitions from Monet to Picasso. Vienna’s music heritage is shaped by the legacies of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss, and sustained by a city that still lives and breathes classical music in richly decorated concert halls.
Beyond museums and music, culture unfolds at the table. Beautiful historic cafés offer delicious sausages and pastries before evenings turn to traditional dining with Tafelspitz or Wiener Schnitzel.
Stay: Park Hyatt Vienna, a 5-star hotel housed in a former bank in the Golden Quarter or Hotel Sacher, well loved for its location across from the Vienna State Opera and its delicious sachertorte.
4. Leuven, Belgium
Expert Score: 18.3/20 Traveler Score: 17.0/20 Final Cultural Score: 17.65/20
Leuven has been announced as European Capital of Culture 2030 and it’s easy to see why. This university town is a lively hub of students, researchers, artists and idealists. Strolling through Leuven feels like encountering a contemporary European vision. Gothic towers rise alongside solar panels, street art sits beside university cloisters and cafés buzz with multilingual conversation. The M-Museum bridges history and innovation through exhibitions that pair old masters with digital works, while the STUK Arts Center pushes performance forward through collaboration and experimentation.
Stay: The Fourth Tafelrond a historic 4-star in the heart of Leuven.
5. Sibenik, Croatia
Expert Score: 17.8/20 Traveler Score: 17.3/20 Final Cultural Score: 17.55/20
Experts value Šibenik for its rare combination of UNESCO heritage and contemporary regeneration; travellers love its Adriatic setting, festivals and historic feel. Perched above the Adriatic, with winding stone lanes and sun-washed terraces, it offers more than a coastal retreat — it’s a place of cultural discovery. The UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James stands as one of the Balkans’ finest Renaissance landmarks, while St. Michael’s Fortress, now restored, hosts open-air concerts above the Adriatic. Local cuisine features fresh seafood, olive oil, figs and nearby white wines.
Stay : Bellevue Superior City Hotel, a 4-star property overlooking the sea promenade.
6. Verona, Italy
Expert Score: 17.2/20 Traveler Score: 17.7/20 Final Cultural Score: 17.45/20
The expert panel highlighted Verona’s architectural harmony and cultural depth, while travelers felt captivated by its opera heritage and vibrant Italian lifestyle. This UNESCO World Heritage city, blends Roman roots with timeless elegance. The Arena still hosts summer operas, while squares like Piazza delle Erbe brim with frescoes, cafés and artisan shops. And of course, the city is often linked to Romeo & Juliet, with Juliet’s medieval tower house (now a museum) located at via Cappello 23.
Stay: Hotel Indigo Verona, a 4-star property blending Belle Époque charm and modern comfort.
7. Tomar, Portugal
Expert Score: 17.0/20 Traveler Score: 17.5/20 Final Cultural Score: 17.25/20
Set along the Nabão River, Tomar blends medieval architecture with leafy squares and is most famous for the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site tied to the Knights Templar. It’s also known for the Festa dos Tabuleiros, a celebration that takes place every four years at the beginning of July. The most important part of the party is the Parade of the Boards through the streets of the city. In addition to the parade, another of the oldest traditions in Tomar are the lovely paper flower carpets throughout the streets of the city.
Stay: Hotel República, a refined 5-star property on the main square, combining minimalist design with warm Portuguese hospitality.
8. Rouen, France
Expert Score: 16.9/20 Traveler Score: 16.6/20 Final Cultural Score: 16.75/20
Once a major port of medieval Europe, Rouen today offers a graceful mix of history, creativity and understated elegance. Rouen Cathedral still dominates the skyline — Monet’s inspiration and one of France’s most elaborate Gothic landmarks. Yet the city’s character now lies in the meeting of old and new: galleries tucked into half-timbered houses, contemporary boutiques alongside ancient churches and a revitalized creative scene breathing life into historic streets. Visitors can follow the path of Joan of Arc through the old market square or wander the narrow lanes of the Vieux-Marché, stopping to enjoy the city’s rich food culture from duck à la rouennaise to apple-based desserts, creamy Camembert and fresh Normandy cider.
Stay: Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, an Autograph Collection property, or the 4-star Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert, offers accommodation with a literary theme in honor of the famous French writer, both located in the historic center.
9. Oxford, UK
Expert Score: 16.7/20 Traveler Score: 16.2/20 Final Cultural Score: 16.45/20
Oxford is renowned for its world-famous university—the oldest in the English-speaking world—alongside its historic buildings and atmospheric cobbled streets. For a city shaped by academia, it’s naturally rich in culture, with outstanding institutions such as the Ashmolean, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and Modern Art Oxford. The Radcliffe Camera symbolizes Oxford’s long-standing academic tradition and historic significance. The intricate stonework and circular design highlight the architectural mastery of the 18th century, while the adjacent medieval colleges emphasize the city’s layered cultural heritage.
Stay: The 5-star Randolph hotel, ideally located opposite the Ashmolean Museum, has a lovely all-day brasserie, Alice, with interiors inspired by the Lewis Carrol classic. The Old Bank Hotel, an independent 5-star, overlooks the quaint High Street.
10. Graz, Austria
Expert Score: 16.5/20 Traveler Score: 16.0/20 Final Cultural Score: 16.25/20
Austria’s second city features a UNESCO-listed old town, with Baroque façades and red-tiled roofs, all sitting comfortably beside Kunsthaus Graz, the contemporary art museum a a striking blue building often nicknamed the “Friendly Alien.” Graz’s inventive approach to modern design is apparent in the Murinsel, a floating steel structure on the Mur River, designed by artist Vito Acconci. Shaped like an open shell, it functions as a pedestrian bridge, café and small event space, blending sculpture and architecture. The city’s food scene is deeply connected to Styrian produce. Farm-to-table kitchens highlight pumpkin-seed oil specialities, while laid-back wine bars showcase crisp local Sauvignon Blanc.
Stay : Grand Hôtel Wiesler, a stylish landmark on the Mur River or beside the train station is the Hotel Daniel which bills itself as “affordable luxury.”
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
This story was originally published on forbes.com.
