Maribor topped the ranking ahead of France’s Bordeaux and Portugal’s Porto, with the portal highlighting the city’s deep-rooted wine tradition, authentic atmosphere and the rare balance it strikes between heritage and contemporary wine culture. Set in northeastern Slovenia, the city is praised for its high-quality wines, strong culinary scene and vibrant cultural life, anchored by its most famous symbol – the world’s oldest noble grapevine.
According to European Best Destinations, Maribor produces some of Europe’s most expressive white wines, including Šipon (Furmint), Laški Rizling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Traminer, alongside an increasingly refined sparkling wine scene.
Visitors can move easily between small, family-run cellars and expansive estates offering panoramic views of Austria and the Pohorje mountains, experiencing a wine culture that feels lived-in rather than staged.
The Maribor Tourism Board welcomed the recognition as a major boost for international visibility and cooperation. Tourism officials stressed that the title supports broader efforts to position the Štajerska region – together with nearby destinations such as Ptuj – as a leading European wine and cultural destination. The accolade comes amid growing tourism numbers, with Maribor attracting visitors from nearly 200 countries last year and continuing its rise as one of Central Europe’s most compelling, yet still understated, wine cities.
