Tampere and Dubrovnik selected as 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism

On 19 November, the European Commission announced the 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, celebrating tourism destinations leading in accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation and cultural heritage. Tampere (Finland) has been selected as the 2026 winner of the European Capital of Smart Tourism award, and Dubrovnik (Croatia) has been selected as the 2026 winner of the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism award.

This year’s competitions saw an increase in participants from a wide range of countries. In total, 58 destinations from 22 countries competed for the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism titles. The 15 shortlisted destinations were invited to present their cases to the European Jury in Brussels, who selected the winners of both competitions. 

Tampere stood out for its innovative practices, performing strongly across all four categories and presenting its various city plans for becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and its solutions for climate change mitigation, including the Tampere Tourism Strategy, the City of Tampere Climate Roadmap, the Tampere Lake and Nature Tourism Roadmap and the City of Tampere Biodiversity Programme. The city has also established the Urban Climate Leaders in Tourism Network in partnership with Helsinki to accelerate the transition towards climate-resilient tourism. The city presented a balanced vision of sustainable growth by demonstrating how local well-being can benefit from tourism but also impressed with comprehensive storytelling and a clear legacy for the EU, positioning itself as a role model committed to sharing knowledge. 

Dubrovnik impressed the jury with its pioneering approach to sustainability and its potential to serve as a role model for other destinations. Dubrovnik is unique for its mix of UNESCO-listed heritage, with outstanding nature, cultural events and modern life to promote sustainable tourism. The city impressed with its comprehensive and data-driven tourism management and implementing actionable measures that not only engage local communities but also support long-term planning and sustainable visitor flows. For example, the number of daily cruise visitors is limited to 4,500, which ensures sustainable tourism growth while protecting the historic centre.

Follow this link for more information on the winners and shortlisted cities. 

Author: Amy Nicholson

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.