Guimarães, the current European Green Capital, hosted the announcement of the winners of the 2028 European Green Cities Awards on October 8. The Spanish city of Saragossa was crowned European Green Capital for 2028, and the European Green Leaf award, for smaller cities, was given to Benidorm (Spain) and Estarreja (Portugal).
The panel of experts highlighted Saragossa's strong governance and long-term commitment in tackling climate challenges, also impressing with how ambitious environmental action is combined with social and community resilience.
Benidorm and Estarreja, winners of the Green Leaf award, were praised for their commitment to creating greener, healthier, and more sustainable living spaces. Benidorm was recognized for successfully managing the pressures of mass tourism while maintaining environmental protection. Estarreja was highlighted as a compelling example of ecological transformation, successfully overcoming its industrial legacy through collaborative action.
The winners will receive financial support: EUR 600,000 for Saragossa and EUR 200,000 for each of the Green Leaf cities, Benidorm and Estarreja.
This year, 27 cities competed for the awards, assessed by an international panel of urban sustainability experts, who selected eight finalists.
