Istanbul crowned Europe’s ‘Most Desirable City’ at 2025 Wanderlust Travel Awards

Turkey

Turkish metropolis takes Gold after last year’s Silver, praised for its fusion of history, modernity, and creative vitality / A city where continents — and ideas — meet

At the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025, held at London’s National Gallery, Istanbul claimed the coveted Gold Award as “Most Desirable City (Europe)”, rising from Silver in 2024. Readers of the UK’s leading independent travel magazine celebrated Istanbul’s unique ability to “blend history with modernity,” highlighting its domed skyline, its thriving contemporary art scene, and its dynamic culinary landscape.

“The East-meets-West magnetism of Istanbul propelled it to Gold,” the magazine wrote, describing it as a city that “still surprises every time.” Editor-in-chief George Kipouros added: “Istanbul’s energy lies in how comfortably it lives between worlds. It has history in its stones but also imagination in its future.”

A year of global recognition

The award adds to a string of international accolades for the Turkish metropolis: Istanbul Airport was recently voted Best Airport for Food in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

In a statement, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) said: “This Gold award for Istanbul reaffirms its position as Europe’s most captivating city — a place where the meeting of continents continues to inspire and attract visitors year after year.”

Türkiye welcomed 50 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2025, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year. The country now leads globally in sustainable tourism, with more than 2,000 GSTC-certified hotels — accounting for over 80% of all such properties worldwide.

Among Europe’s elite destinations

Now in its 24th year, the Wanderlust Travel Awards remain one of the travel industry’s most respected honors, recognizing destinations, tour operators, and airlines that inspire its community of readers. In this year’s results, Dubrovnik (Croatia) took Silver and Madrid (Spain) claimed Bronze in the same category.

Hosted by British broadcaster Simon Reeve, the 2025 edition saw record participation, with over 200,000 readers casting 4.8 million votes across 22 award categories — confirming Istanbul’s timeless appeal as the city that bridges worlds.