Three cities in Spain and Portugal have been recognised for their achievements in urban sustainability, from climate resilience and green spaces to sustainable tourism and industrial transformation. Zaragoza, Spain, has been named European Green Capital 2028, while Benidorm, also in Spain, and Estarreja, Portugal, will share the European Green Leaf 2028 title. The winners were announced on 8 October at a ceremony in Guimarães, Portugal, the European Green Capital for 2026.
The three cities were recognised for their different approaches to environmental challenges. Zaragoza impressed the jury with its long-term environmental strategy, strong local governance and efforts to combine climate action with social resilience and community engagement. Benidorm, one of Spain’s best-known tourist destinations, was recognised for its approach to managing mass tourism while protecting the environment and pursuing sustainable urban development. Estarreja, a city with a strong industrial heritage, stood out for its transition towards a greener urban economy through cooperation between local stakeholders.
The awards also come as the EU strengthens its focus on urban nature restoration. Under the Nature Restoration Regulation, Member States must ensure no net loss of urban green space and tree cover by 2030, followed by further improvements in the years ahead.
Funding for greener cities
Alongside international recognition, the winning cities will receive financial support from the European Commission. Zaragoza will be awarded €600,000, while Benidorm and Estarreja will each receive €200,000 to support further environmental initiatives.
A total of 27 European cities competed for the 2028 titles, with seven reaching the final stage. Applications were assessed across seven environmental areas, including air quality, water management, biodiversity, circular economy, noise pollution and climate action.
The European Green Capital Award is open to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, while the European Green Leaf Award recognises smaller cities with populations between 20,000 and 100,000. The 2028 winners illustrate how cities with very different economic backgrounds and urban challenges can pursue more sustainable development, with approaches that may offer useful lessons for other European municipalities.
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