Spanish city named best in the world by Forbes Travel Awards

A Spanish city has just taken the top spot in the very first edition of the Forbes Travel Awards, finishing ahead of heavyweights like Hong Kong and Miami.

Madrid named best city in the world by Forbes Travel Awards

The Spanish capital was officially crowned Best City in the inaugural Forbes Travel Awards. The awards were created to recognise destinations, companies and initiatives that treat tourism as a tool for prosperity, inclusion and future development rather than simple visitor volume.

Madrid has also recently been named Europe’s leading destination 2026 by European Best Destinations, ranked as the 2nd most attractive urban destination worldwide by Euromonitor, and awarded World’s Leading Destination for Congresses and Meetings by the World Travel Awards.

Why Madrid is rising so fast

To start off with, there’s the weight of history.

The Royal Palace, the Prado, the Reina Sofía and entire neighbourhoods like La Latina still feel lived-in rather than staged. You can wander along the UNESCO-recognised Paseo del Retiro, then dip into one of Spain’s top museums.

Food plays a huge role, too.

You can tuck into a plate of callos in an old-school tavern, grab a quick bocadillo de calamares near Plaza Mayor, or book a Michelin-starred tasting menu without needing to remortgage.

Markets like Mercado de San Miguel may be busy, but neighbourhood spots such as Mercado de Antón Martín still feel local.

Then there’s the rhythm of daily life.

Long lunches, late dinners, terraces that stay busy well into the night. That lifestyle element is arguably what sets Madrid apart from cities that can feel more corporate or more hurried.

A capital that’s also a business hub

One of the less romantic but important details is Madrid’s strength in congresses and international meetings. The city has invested heavily in infrastructure, transport and international connectivity.

Barajas Airport links Madrid directly to North America, Latin America and most of Europe.
The high-speed AVE train network makes domestic travel straightforward.

International attention tends to push central prices upwards first, particularly in areas popular with overseas buyers and digital professionals.

Living in Madrid

Madrid has one of the largest expat communities in Spain, with strong Latin American, North American and European networks. English is widely spoken in professional environments, particularly in multinational firms and tech, though day-to-day bureaucracy still requires Spanish.

International schools include International College Spain and King’s College Madrid, both popular with British and international families.

Certain districts in the north and around green spaces are the best places to live in Madrid for families.
Meetup groups range from language exchanges in Malasaña to tech and start-up circles around Chamartín. It’s easy enough to build a social life if you put yourself out there.
Daily costs are manageable compared to London or New York. A coffee usually costs around €2, a beer in a neighbourhood bar around €3–€4, and a decent three-course menú del día can still be found for €14–€18.
Housing is where things really tighten, as Madrid sits among Spain’s most competitive property markets, with strong demand and quick turnaround in central areas.