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Istanbul has been named “Most Desirable City (Europe)” at the 2025 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, receiving the Gold Award at a ceremony held on Wednesday evening at the National Gallery in London.
The Turkish metropolis, which secured the Silver award in 2024, rose to the top of the rankings this year, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most captivating travel destinations.
Wanderlust magazine attributed Istanbul’s success to its “East-meets-West magnetism,” noting its seamless blend of history and modernity. The publication highlighted experiences such as crossing the Bosphorus at sunset, tasting dishes influenced by centuries of cultural exchange, and wandering among churches, mosques, and contemporary art galleries.
George Kipouros, editor-in-chief of Wanderlust, said the city’s allure lies in its ability to continually surprise visitors. “Istanbul’s energy lies in how comfortably it lives between worlds. It has history in its stones but also imagination in its future,” he said.
The award follows another major honor for the city—Istanbul Airport was recently named the World’s Best Airport for Food in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
In a statement, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) said the recognition “reaffirms Istanbul’s position as Europe’s most captivating city, where the meeting of continents continues to attract and inspire visitors year after year.”
Türkiye welcomed 50 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2025, a 1.6% increase from 2024, and leads the world in sustainable tourism, with over 2,000 GSTC-certified hotels—representing over 80% of all such properties globally.
Now in its 24th year, the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards remain among the most respected recognitions in global tourism.
In the same category, Dubrovnik, Croatia, claimed the Silver Award, while Madrid, Spain, earned Bronze. The ceremony, hosted by British broadcaster and adventurer Simon Reeve, engaged over 200,000 readers, who cast 4.8 million votes across 22 categories.
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