Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe revealed

Slovenia's oldest town, Ptuj has been declared Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe for 2026.

European Best Destinations has put the town atop its prestigious list because of its many qualities including its thousand-year-old castle overlooking the Drava River, celebrated wine traditions, and the world-famous Kurentovanje Carnival, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

A small town in northeastern Slovenia, Ptuj is lauded as "one of the most vibrant heritage destinations in Europe". The Brussels-based travel organisation, whose main criteria in picking the winner is "the ability to merge rich heritage with contemporary cultural life," highlighted the town's year-round calendar of cultural and sporting events.

In addition to the UNESCO-recognised Kurentovanje Carnival, which is part of the traditional Shrovetide festivities in Slovenia, there are also the international Art Stays Festival in summer, the eagerly-awaited wine harvest and the Christmas Market taking place in the town's historic squares.

"Ptuj has preserved its medieval heart while constantly reinventing itself through festivals, cultural events, and sporting life," European Best Destinations said earlier in October.

Ptuj tops the 2026 ranking that also includes famous destinations such as Belgium's Bruges, Croatia's Dubrovnik, and Italy's Florence, as well as some hidden gems. The top 10 list was made out of more than 200 European heritage towns and cities.

The title is awarded in cooperation with media partners including Forbes, National Geographic and others, and the Ptuj town authorities will receive the honour at an event in the local Dominican Monastery on 11 October.

"This is an outstanding recognition based on a longlist by tourism experts and journalists and a vote by travellers from around the world," Ptuj Mayor Nuška Gajšek said.

Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA