Where in Europe will you enjoy the best wine, the most beautiful views and that wonderful holiday feeling this year? According to almost 300.000 wine lovers from 82 countries, these are the places to raise your glass in 2025. Cheers!
5. Tuscany | Italy
Tuscany is home to some of Italy’s most beloved wines, with Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino being firm crowd-pleasers. Dotted around the region are numerous renowned wineries where you can not only sample but learn more about the grapes, the making process and the stories behind the bottle.
For those who really want to immerse themselves in Tuscan charm, COMO Castello Del Nero is a must: a 12th-century estate between Florence and Siena, complete with a Michelin-star restaurant and views over the Chianti vineyards.
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4. Douro Valley | Portugal
The Douro Valley is one of those places where almost everything is right: rolling hills covered in vines, a glistening river and of course… really good wine. Wine has been produced here along the Douro for centuries, with port as its most iconic export. The terraced vineyards, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are laid out in a landscape that is as impressive as it is inviting.
The region is particularly proud of its indigenous grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, which produce powerful, aromatic red wines. Porto is the place to visit classic Port cellars such as Taylor's or Graham's, where you can learn all about the history of Port.
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3. Bordeaux | France
With over 6.000 wine estates, Bordeaux is a wine lover’s paradise. From Saint-Émilion to Médoc, the region offers an unparalleled diversity of Merlot and Cabernet blends. Must-visit: Cité du Vin – a spectacular wine museum – and Château Grand Barrail, where you can spend the night among the vines in a 19th-century castle.
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2. Bilbao & La Rioja | Spain
Bilbao, in the north of Spain, is a good starting point for those wanting to explore La Rioja. The city itself offers a nice combination of modern architecture – most famously the Guggenheim Museum – and cozy food streets full of pintxos and local wines.
Not far away is La Rioja, one of the country's most famous wine regions. Here, the focus is on the Tempranillo grape, which produces full-bodied, characterful red wines. In places like Logroño and Haro, you can easily go for a wine tasting, a walk through the historic centre or a local harvest festival in September.
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1. Plovdiv | Bulgaria
Plovdiv has been named Europe's Wine Capital of 2025, and for good reason. The city – with its 8000-year history – is considered one of the oldest in Europe and proudly carries the motto Antique and eternal. But Plovdiv also has a rich tradition in the wine-growing area. In the valley of the Maritsa River, grapes have been grown for over 5000 years, something that even ancient chroniclers wrote about enthusiastically.
The region is known for its mix of international and local grape varieties, with Mavrud and Rubin as specialities. The city itself is a relaxed place for those who enjoy wine bars, small-scale tastings and the charm of a historic setting. Plovdiv also hosts a number of major wine festivals, such as Vinaria and Urban Wine Fest, and also attracts international wine competitions.
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The list of top wine destinations for 2025 is based on a survey by European Best Destinations, in which almost 300.000 wine lovers from 82 countries chose their favourite regions. Curious about the full ranking? View these here.