These Two Favourite Destinations Have Been Crowned 2018's European Culture Capitals

Did you know that the 2018 European Capitals of Culture are Leeuwarden-Friesland in the Netherlands and Valletta, Malta? More to the point, perhaps, do you know what it actually means to be a European Capital of Culture? Read on to find out.

The European Capitals of Culture initiative was born in 1985. It aims to shine a light onto Europe’s rich and diverse cultures, encourage and engage citizens’ sense of belonging and highlight and celebrate the importance of culture to a city. Being crowned a European Capital of Culture can help regeneration in a city, and raise its profile to encourage tourism.

Proposals are submitted six years in advance

Interested cities have to submit a proposal to the Ministry for Culture six years before the year in which they would have the title. An international panel of independent experts then narrows down the proposals to a shortlist. European Capitals of Culture are formally designated four years before the actual year, and this initial process takes up to two years.

Leeuwarden-Friesland and Valletta

The 2018 crowned capitals of culture are Leeuwarden-Friesland in the Netherlands and Valletta in Malta. In Leeuwarden-Friesland, they say, ‘we’re going to show how we Frisians celebrate life. How we dare to stick our heads above the parapet to show the world how we go our own unique way. ‘ Their cultural calendar for the year is full to bursting, and should be your first port of call if you’re considering a trip. In Valletta, they’re hosting an island-wide fiesta to showcase their cultural scene. Their themes of Island Stories, Future Baroque and Voyages are at the heart of their 2018 celebrations, and all mean that it is a great time to discover Malta.

Which cities are up next?

The next four years of European Capitals of Culture have already been crowned. They are:

2019: Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Matera, Italy

2020: Rijeka, Croatia and Galway, Ireland

2021: Timișoara, Romania, Elefsina, Greece and Novi Sad, Serbia

2022: Kaunas, Lithuania and Esch, Luxembourg

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.