European Capitals of Culture: every city, 1985 to 2030

Which cities hold the title now and next?

In 2026 the European Capitals of Culture are Oulu (Finland) and Trenčín (Slovakia). The Commission lists the cities already designated up to 2030, and for 2031 it names only the two host countries.¹

For 2032, the Commission's page says competitions are running in Bulgaria and Denmark.¹

Every European Capital of Culture, by year

The Commission's list has 85 title holders from 1985 to 2030. Luxembourg appears twice, for 1995 and 2007. The list has no entry for 2021. Countries are named as the Commission names them for each year, so the same country can appear under two names, such as Czech Republic and Czechia.¹

The Commission's card for 2023 lists Elefsina, Timișoara and Veszprém without their countries; the countries come from its news release on the 2023 capitals.² Where a country has a page on this site, its name links to it.

How is a European Capital of Culture chosen?

The Commission describes the title as an initiative putting culture at the heart of European cities, with EU support for a yearlong celebration of art and culture.³

• Six years before the title year, the host countries publish a call for applications, usually through their culture ministry.³
• A panel of independent experts draws up a shortlist, then recommends one city per host country. The relevant authority in that country then formally designates the city.³
• The Commission's role is to make sure the EU rules are respected along the way. Capitals are formally designated four years before the title year.³
• Cities in EU candidate countries, potential candidates and EFTA/EEA countries can hold the title in some years. They compete in an open competition, for which the Commission publishes the call.³

What this page cannot tell you

• The list can change. Future capitals and host countries are as the Commission listed them when we checked (see the date at the top). Check its page for the latest.
• Names are the Commission's. We print city and country names as its list gives them, including older country names, and we have not changed them.
• A title is not a rating. The list says which cities held or will hold the title, not what a visit is like in any year.

Related: Officially recognised places in Europe and Japan · European Green Capital and Green Leaf winners · European Heritage Label sites · European Capital of Smart Tourism winners · Japan Heritage stories · National parks of Japan.