World Travel Awards: Lisbon elected ‘Best World Heritage City’

Lisbon has been recognised as the ‘Best World Heritage City’ for the first time and the ‘Best City Break Destination’ for the second time at the 31st World Travel Awards 2024.

Known as the Tourism Oscars, the announcement was made on Monday by the Lisbon Tourism Association (ATL).

According to the ATL, refurbishment and conservation works to the city’s culturally and historically important landmark buildings in recent years were among the reasons for the award – an effort that is now recognised for the first time through this award.

“The city’s rich historical and cultural heritage is indisputable, reflecting different civilisations and remarkable moments in the history of Portugal. Of particular note are the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, the Sintra Cultural Landscape and the Royal Mafra Complex, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The soul of the city, Fado, is also recognised as Intangible Heritage of Humanity”, highlighted Turismo de Lisboa, in a statement.

The Portuguese capital also won, for the second time, the Best City Break Destination in the World award, thus strengthening “its potential as a destination for getaways”.

The World Travel Awards, nicknamed the ‘Oscars of Tourism’, annually recognise tourist destinations, hotel companies, airlines and other entities related to the tourism industry. This year’s ceremony took place on Sunday in Funchal, Madeira.

On Friday Portugal was elected the ‘Best Golf Destination in the World’ while the Algarve was voted the World’s Leading Beach Destination, Porto was elected the Best Metropolitan Coastal Destination, Madeira was chosen as the Best Island Destination (for the 10th year running), while the Azores was the Best Destination for Adventure Tourism.