Out of 32 applicants from 12 countries, the following cities were shortlisted for the 2026 title: Braga (Portugal), Bruges (Belgium), Brussels (Belgium), Genoa (Italy), Leipzig (Germany), Regensburg (Germany), and Tampere (Finland). The European Commission decided to extend the shortlist from four to seven destinations, as several applications received the same high score during the evaluation process. Short profiles of each city are available here.
The finalists are invited to present their proposals to a European jury on 18–19 November 2025, which will then select the 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism.
– We are excited and proud that Tampere has been shortlisted for the 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism. This recognition reflects our strong commitment to sustainability, accessibility and the use of digital solutions in tourism. Tampere is part of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. At the same time, Tampere is a city that believes in people and collaboration alongside technological development, we build an authentic and human-scale environment where local culture, from sauna traditions to community-based services, plays a central role. This authenticity is recognised by both residents and visitors, making Tampere truly unique,” says Anna-Krista Sorvoja, Development Director at Visit Tampere.
European Capital of Smart Tourism builds sustainable futures
The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative that rewards cities for innovative approaches in areas such as accessibility, digitalisation, sustainability, and cultural heritage and creativity. Building on a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament, the initiative promotes sustainable and inclusive tourism development and enables the sharing of best practices.
Since its launch in 2018, the competition has provided a platform to highlight outstanding tourism practices and achievements. Torino has been selected as the 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism. Previous winners include Dublin (2024), Seville and Pafos (2023), València and Bordeaux (2022), Málaga and Gothenburg (2020), and Helsinki and Lyon (2019). These cities have become exemplary models for smart tourism in Europe, gaining international recognition for sustainability, innovation, quality of life, and effective integration of smart strategies.
Winning cities receive a strong platform to showcase their practices globally. For example, the “Leading Examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe” report (2025) highlights initiatives from applicants, and the EU Smart Tourism podcast series features discussions with winners, shortlisted cities and European Commission representatives.
For further press information, please contact:
European Smart Tourism Secretariat
Sandra Bumbar-Malchow
info@SmartTourismCapital.eu
+49 (0) 30 70 01 86 390
The City of Tampere
Maiju Viiki
Account Manager
maiju.viiki@tampere.fi
+35840 646 2841
Visit Tampere
Anna-Krista Sorvoja
Director, Business Development
anna-krista.sorvoja@visittampere.fi
+35840 594 5262
