Nicosia crowned Europe’s cultural capital for 2026

Nicosia has been named Europe’s Best Cultural Capital / Cultural Destination for 2026, taking first place in the European Best Destinations rankings. The distinction follows a multi-level evaluation that combined quantitative data, assessments by cultural journalists and travel media, and votes from thousands of travellers in more than 130 countries. The recognition was further reinforced by a feature in Forbes, which ranked Nicosia first among Europe’s top cultural cities for 2026.

The city stood out for the richness and authenticity of its cultural heritage, its vibrant contemporary artistic scene, the high concentration of cultural infrastructure and the overall quality of the experience it offers visitors. The award highlights Nicosia’s ability to combine history with modern creativity, positioning it as a dynamic and evolving cultural destination.

According to the organisers, the success is the result of a targeted cultural strategy and systematic actions, including the development of a clear and contemporary narrative for the city and the promotion of its cultural assets at an international level. The distinction strengthens Nicosia’s global image and creates new opportunities for cultural promotion, partnerships and sustainable tourism in 2026.