Ljubljana has been ranked sixth among Europe’s favourite cities in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, one of the travel industry’s most respected readers’ choice rankings. Florence took the top spot, while Prague, Salzburg, Kraków and Porto narrowly edged ahead of the Slovenian capital.
The recognition from one of the leading travel publications in the United States highlights Ljubljana’s growing appeal among American travellers and further reinforces Slovenia’s rising profile as a destination in the U.S. market.
More than 207,000 readers participated in the 2026 survey, casting over 661,000 votes for more than 10,000 destinations, hotels and travel companies worldwide.
Every year, Travel + Leisure invites its readers to share their favourite travel experiences around the world by rating hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines and other travel providers. Widely regarded as one of the most influential readers’ choice surveys in global tourism, the World’s Best Awards reflect the preferences of experienced international travellers
Regenerative destination
Ljubljana does not perceive sustainability as a collection of green measures, but as a way of managing the city that prioritises the quality of everyday life over short-term tourism growth. By restricting car traffic, revitalising public spaces and thoughtfully involving local providers, the city creates an environment in which residents and visitors alike can thrive. Its increasingly human-centred approach is reflected in the city’s intimate scale, the accessibility of its services and the opportunity to experience it on foot, by bicycle and through direct contact with the local community. Its regenerative approach goes a step beyond merely reducing negative impacts, as Ljubljana harnesses tourism and events to actively support vibrant neighbourhoods, protect the natural environment and strengthen the destination’s long-term resilience.
Find out more about Ljubljana Tourism here.
