The European Commission characterizes a capital of smart tourism as a city that integrates innovative solutions, encourages entrepreneurial businesses, and employs modern information and communication technologies to facilitate access to tourism and hospitality products, services, and experiences. The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition was launched in 2019 for destinations with more than 100,000 inhabitants, aiming to promote smart and sustainable tourism across the European Union, foster and strengthen networking among destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices. Through this initiative, the Commission awards the title of “European Capital of Smart Tourism” to cities that demonstrate significant achievements in smart tourism, thereby reinforcing tourism-driven innovation, supporting economic growth and employment, and creating opportunities for collaboration and new partnerships. Exemplary destinations are selected across four categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalization, and cultural heritage. In 2024, the Commission introduced a new competition, the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, targeting destinations with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 inhabitants in order to recognize exemplary green and sustainable tourism practices in smaller cities. As of 2027, these two titles will be merged under the designation “European Capital of Tourism.”

The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition encompasses cities in European Union Member States, as well as cities in countries participating in the Common Market Programme, with populations exceeding 100,000. Candidate cities are assessed through a two-stage process based on the measures and practices they implement in four categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalization, and cultural heritage. In the first stage, a panel of experts evaluates performance, feasibility, strategic approach, and inclusiveness, producing a shortlist of the best-performing cities. In the second stage, shortlisted cities present their proposals, and the European Jury ultimately selects the city that demonstrates the most intelligent, innovative, and inclusive solutions to receive the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism award provides various advantages to winning cities. In this context, some of the advantages offered by the award include the provision of communication and branding support for the promotion of the destination; the presentation of a promotional video highlighting the destination and its smart tourism practices; and promotional activities and networking opportunities designed by the European Union. To date, many cities have applied to compete for the European Capital of Smart Tourism award in order to benefit from these advantages.

The award was first jointly conferred in 2019 on two cities, one in Europe’s cold north and the other in its warm south: Helsinki (Finland) and Lyon (France). By combining its 460-year history with a modern smart tourism vision, Helsinki has become a pioneer in Europe through policies that integrate smart mobility, sustainability, and innovative cultural tourism. By blending its 2,000-year-old heritage, gastronomy, and cultural identity with sustainability and technological innovation, Lyon has risen to the forefront of European tourism. In the 2019 competition, four additional cities were recognized for outstanding achievements in the initiative’s four core categories: Ljubljana (Slovenia) for sustainability, Málaga (Spain) for accessibility, Copenhagen (Denmark) for digitalization, and Linz (Austria) for cultural heritage and creativity.

In 2020, Málaga (Spain), a Mediterranean city, and Göteborg (Sweden), a Scandinavian city, were awarded the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism in recognition of their outstanding achievements in smart tourism. Göteborg became a model in Europe by integrating digitalization strategies such as 4G, smart grids, and user-friendly public transport systems with the principles of innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainability in tourism. Málaga distinguished itself through its long-standing approach of placing sustainability, innovation, and culture at the center of its strategic plans. The city enhanced its environmental quality through LED lighting, smart irrigation systems, over 40 km of cycling paths, and waste-separation practices. With 50 hectares of protected areas, a 60-hectare botanical garden, more than 400 hectares of green spaces, and beaches, Málaga supports nature-based tourism. In addition to Málaga and Göteborg, four cities were recognized in 2020 for their exceptional performance in the initiative’s core categories: Göteborg (Sweden) for sustainability, Breda (the Netherlands) for accessibility, Ljubljana (Slovenia) for digitalization, and Karlsruhe (Germany) for cultural heritage and creativity.

In 2022, Valencia (Spain) and Bordeaux (France) jointly obtained the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism for their outstanding achievements. By integrating its identity as the world’s largest and oldest fine wine-producing region with modern tourism, sustainable mobility, urban renewal, a green economy, and an inclusive city vision, Bordeaux has become one of Europe’s leading smart tourism destinations. Valencia, with its Mediterranean location, cultural diversity, and sustainability vision, stood out as well. As Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia welcomes 2.2 million visitors annually and has established itself as a pioneer in European smart tourism by combining sustainability, accessibility, cultural vibrancy, and digital innovation. In 2022, other shortlisted cities included Venice (Italy), Dublin (Ireland), Florence (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Palma (Spain).

In 2023, Pafos (Cyprus) and Seville (Spain) were selected as the European Capitals of Smart Tourism. Pafos, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, stood out by integrating its Roman-era heritage with digital cultural innovations such as the “Myth of Aphrodite” application and a sustainability vision. The city has transformed itself from a mass sun-and-sea tourism destination into a modern and innovative tourism hub where legend meets technology. Through strategic partnerships such as public-private collaborations, the Smart City Lab, and the Tourism Innovation Summit, Seville has emerged as an innovative city that integrates its climate and sustainability vision—with a goal of climate neutrality by 2030—with its historical heritage, technology, cultural and social innovations, including initiatives such as SmartSpace and the Sustainable Urban Tourism Lab, and smart tourism. Other shortlisted cities in 2023 included Aarhus (Denmark), Gijón (Spain), Porto (Portugal), San Sebastián (Spain), and Zagreb (Croatia).

In 2024, Dublin (Ireland), Bremerhaven (Germany), Cork (Ireland), Genoa (Italy), Helsingborg (Sweden), and San Sebastián (Spain) were shortlisted. Among them, Dublin was selected as the European Capital of Smart Tourism. Located on Ireland’s vibrant east coast, Dublin has developed an accessible, green, and culturally rich smart tourism model by combining the principles of community, technology, innovation, and sustainability to ensure a successful and sustainable future.

In 2025, Turin (Italy) was selected as the European Capital of Smart Tourism. By preserving its rich industrial heritage, transforming former industrial zones into green spaces, and committing to carbon neutrality by 2030, Turin has integrated its sustainability vision with digital innovations such as 5G tours, AI, and mobility applications. Through festivals, creative industries, and the Egyptian Museum, Turin demonstrates a strong cultural identity and has emerged as a leading smart tourism city in Europe. Other shortlisted cities in 2025 included Brussels (Belgium), Genoa (Italy), Konya (Turkey), Lahti (Finland), Lviv (Ukraine), and Porto (Portugal).

In 2026, Tampere, another Finnish city, was selected as the European Capital of Smart Tourism. This former industrial hub distinguished itself in the competition through a comprehensive vision encompassing sustainability initiatives such as the 2030 carbon-neutrality target, a climate roadmap, a biodiversity program, and the “Think Sustainably” platform engaging local businesses, as well as accessible beaches, strong connections to nature, inclusivity, strategies for cultural heritage preservation, and digital innovations. Apart from Tampere, six cities were shortlisted in the 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition: Braga (Portugal), Bruges (Belgium), Brussels (Belgium), Genoa (Italy), Leipzig (Germany), and Regensburg (Germany).