Benidorm Wins Major European Green City Award for 2028

Benidorm has secured major European recognition for its environmental efforts after being named a winner of the European Green Leaf 2028 award.

The Costa Blanca resort was announced as one of the winners on October 8, sharing the European Green Leaf title with Estarreja, a municipality in Portugal.

The awards, presented by the European Commission, recognise cities making progress towards a greener and more sustainable future.

For Benidorm, the recognition puts its approach to urban sustainability in the European spotlight and adds another dimension to the city's international reputation.

Often associated with its beaches, hotels and famous skyline, Benidorm has also been working to highlight its environmental credentials and the way it manages urban space.

The European Green Leaf award is aimed at smaller cities and towns that demonstrate a commitment to environmental improvements and sustainable development.

The 2028 recognition gives Benidorm an opportunity to showcase those efforts to a wider European audience.

The award announcement was made at a ceremony in Guimarães, Portugal, on October 8. Zaragoza, in Spain, was separately named European Green Capital 2028.

For a resort that welcomes visitors throughout the year, environmental sustainability is an increasingly important part of the conversation about tourism, public spaces and the long-term future of the city.

Benidorm's latest award offers a chance to put that work in the spotlight — and challenge the idea that the resort is only about sun, sea and nightlife.