From architecture and design to books and culture, these are the capitals of the world this year
Title holders will often put on a special programme of events throughout the year, making it an excellent time to visit
With so much to see in the world, it can be difficult to know where to go. Of course, we’ve got plenty of suggestions – from our Good to Go List, highlighting the hottest destinations celebrating anniversaries, major openings and cultural events, to our Origin List, showcasing unforgettable experiences crafted by Indigenous communities around the globe.
But we’re not the only ones – UNESCO and other global organisations also select cities each year to put the spotlight on, from capitals of architecture to food.
While these are often smaller destinations you may not have heard of, they also offer the chance to put a different focus for your trip to a city you already know and love.
Here are all the capitals of the world to add to your to-visit list in 2025.
European Capitals of Culture – Chemnitz in Germany, and Nova Gorica in Slovenia with Gorizia in Italy
Recent title holders: Bad Ischl, Austria, Bodø, Norway and Tartu, Estonia (2024), Eleusis, Greece, Timișoara, Romania and Veszprém, Hungary (2023)
2026: Oulu, Finland and Trenčín, Slovakia
Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy became the first cross-border European Capitals of Culture in 2025, along with Chemnitz in Germany. Since launching in 1985, more than 60 cities have held the title of European Capital of Culture, each of which will host a year-long programme of cultural events including art and film festivals, exhibitions concerts, talks and more. Cities have four years to prep for the event, so a jam-packed cultural calendar is guaranteed.
More information: go2025.eu / chemnitz2025.de
Read next: Shining a light on Europe’s little-known Capitals of Culture
European Green Capital – Vilnius, Lithuania
Recent title holders: Valencia, Spain (2024), Tallinn, Estonia (2023) and Grenoble, France (2022)
2026: Guimarães, Portugal
The European Commission began handing out the European Green Capital Award in 2010, with the first winner being Stockholm in Sweden. Winners are meant to act as a role model to other cities around the world, having achieved high environmental standards and having ambitious sustainable development plans – so it’s little wonder that Vilnius in Lithuania is the current European Green Capital. The city, which was included in our 2025 Travel Green List, is covered in green spaces and has an extensive bike network, making it a delight to visit.
More information: zaliasvilnius.lt
Read next: A sustainable city escape to Valencia, the European Green Capital for 2024
UNESCO World Book Capital – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Recent title holders: Strasbourg, France (2024), Accra, Ghana (2023) and Guadalajara, Mexico (2022)
2026: TBC
While many of the titles in this list change hands come 1 January, cities become the World Book Capital on 23 April, aka World Book Day. This year’s title holder is Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, with one of the highlights being the 2025 Book Biennial. The city became the first Portuguese-speaking country to hold the title.
More information: visitbrasil.com
UK City of Culture – Bradford
Previous title holders: Coventry (2021), Hull (2017) and Derry (2013)
Next: TBC
Launched in response to the success of Liverpool’s time as European Capital of Culture in 2008, there have been four UK Cities of Culture: Derry, Hull, Coventry, and now Bradford. The cultural programme in the city covers exhibitions, performances, movie screenings and more.
More information: bradford2025.co.uk
Read next: 7 reasons to visit England in 2025
European Capital of Gastronomic Culture – Gdańsk, Poland
Previous title holders: Madrid, Spain (2024), Stockholm, Sweden (2023), Oeiras, Portugal (2022) and Krakow, Poland (2019)
2026: TBC
The European Community of New Gastronomy (ECNG) first created the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture title in 2019, with the aim of showcasing the food of each city. You can discover the best of the city’s gastronomy through the Tastes of Gdańsk programme, with set menus of classic dishes offered at a number of restaurants.
More information: visitgdansk.com
World Design Capital – n/a
Previous title holders: San Diego, USA and Tijuana, Mexico (2024), Valencia (2022) and Lille Metropole, France (2020)
2026: Frankfurt RheinMain, Germany
Awarded every two years by the World Design Organization, there isn’t a current World Design Capital, with the region of Frankfurt RheinMain in Germany set to take up the title next year. When that happens, you can expect a rich programme themed around Design for Democracy, with open calls, exhibitions, and projects in schools and other communities.
More information: wdc2026.org
Read next: 7 ways to experience the best of Frankfurt
UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture – n/a
Previous title holders: Copenhagen, Denmark (2023) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2021)
2026: Barcelona
Taking place every three years, the next UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture will be Barcelona. The city council is planning events across Barcelona’s 10 districts over 10 months, from mid-February to mid-December, including exhibitions, workshops, installations and conferences.
More information: barcelona.cat/capitalmundialarquitectura
Read next: Barcelona has an overtourism problem. This is how it’s trying to fix it
