Yes, we know that the capital of Latvia is Riga and the capital of Slovakia is Bratislava, but what on earth is the Green, Smart, Innovation, or Culture Capital of Europe? Well, they are capitals of European countries that have been awarded an extra honor for 2025 by the EU Commission.
These capital awards are annual, so here are the cities selected to represent the best city in each category in 2025.
2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism
The delightful city of Torino (Turin) in northern Italy has been awarded the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025. The Smart Tourism award is aimed at recognising achievements in smart and sustainable tourism. Torino has succeeded in the creation of digital services and applications that make it easier for tourists to move around in the city, finding sights and attractions, also supporting the daily life of residents. The city has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) into its cultural programs, such as 5G-Tours and Navigation Exploring Tourist Assistance (NETA).
A related award – 2025 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism – has gone to the city of Benidorm in Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Benidorm may be renowned for its skyscrapers and party zones, but at the street level it really is a pretty city with plenty of green space and trees along avenues. A compact old town neighborhood reminds visitors the city’s humble origin as a small fishing village.
European Capitals of Culture 2025
Nova Goriza, Slovenia / Goriza, Italy and Chemnitz, Germany have been awarded the title Culture Capital for 2025. Nova Goriza and Goriza is practically a single town only split by the border between Italy and Slovenia. Chemnitz in east Germany is a cultural center for an entire region around the town. The Culture Capital award aims at highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe that also supports residents’ relationship with the local and common culture.
European Green Capital 2025
The European Greean Capital 2025 is Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The award rewards local action for greener and sustainable living that reduces pollution. Among its achievements, Vilnius has changed plenty of its energy to renewable sources and renovated its heating infrastructure. From a visitor’s point of view, the large old town center of Vilnius is a fabulous destination to explore European history and many cultures that have regarded the region as their home.
Another EU green award, the Green Leaf 2025, has been granted to the towns of Treviso, Italy and Villadecans, Spain.
The European Capital of Innovation 2025
Torino (Turin), Italy and Braga, Portugal have won the European Capital of Innovation titles for 2025. The key thing in the selection of the innovation award are cities that support the creation of dynamic, inclusive innovation ecosystems. The competition focuses on urban centers that successfully connect citizens, academic institutions, businesses, and public authorities to drive positive development.
2025 Access City Award
The award for the accessible city in Europe for 2025 has gone to Vienna (Wien), Austria. The city has improved access to public spaces, public transport, and public services for improving the lives of persons with disabilities. For instance, all metro stations and 95% of bus and tram stops in the city are accessible.