Marbella Crowned as Europe’s Top Destination
Marbella, a popular resort on the Costa del Sol, has been voted as the best place to visit in Europe. The accolade comes from the readers of the European Best Destinations portal, an online travel website. Marbella secured the top spot with a staggering 149,192 votes, the highest number of votes for any location since the inception of the annual survey in 2009.
International Recognition for Marbella
The majority of the votes for Marbella came from international travellers, with 84% of the votes cast by individuals outside of Spain. The city was particularly popular among travellers from the UK and the USA, topping the list of preferred European destinations for these countries.
Monaco and Malta Follow Close Behind
Monaco and Malta were the runners-up in the poll, which shortlisted 20 European locations. Other destinations in the list included Geneva, Batumi in Georgia, Madeira, Florence, and London. The final list was narrowed down from an initial 500 destinations, with over a million votes cast from 172 countries.
Marbella’s Unique Offerings
Maximilien Lejeune, the CEO of European Best Destinations, praised Marbella for its unique cultural, event, sensory and gastronomic offerings. According to Lejeune, Marbella offers experiences that are unparalleled, making it one of Europe’s strongest tourism brands. He described the city as a leader in tourism excellence in Europe, offering a sunny, five-star, natural, sporty, and gastronomic experience that caters to the most discerning travellers.
Marbella’s Appeal to All Ages
Lejeune also highlighted Marbella’s ability to cater to a wide range of travellers, from the young to the old, and from sports and shopping enthusiasts to food lovers.
Marbella’s Investment in Tourism
In 2022, Marbella City Council paid €30,000 to European Best Destinations to use its official logo. This investment, according to the city council, has helped position Marbella as a preferred destination and has boosted its tourism-related business.
