Last week, Brussels-based organisation European Best Destinations announced their list of the trendiest 15 destinations to visit in 2019, with Athens placing as number 12.

European Best Destinations works to promote tourism in Europe, collaborating with over 300 tourism offices, as well as with the European Commission’s EDEN Network for sustainable tourism. Annually for the last ten years, the public has been invited to vote for their favorite out of 20 shortlisted European destinations. The final list of 15 destinations are promoted by the site, which reports a significant increase in tourism following the awards for previous winners.

This year, over half a million people from 153 countries voted for their favorite among the shortlisted cities.

Placing as number 12, with 16,024 votes, Athens beat out Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris and Vienna for a place on the list, and placed above Kotor, Riga and Florence in the final 15. Budapest placed 1st on the list with 62.128 votes, followed by Braga, with 59.092 votes, and Monte Isola, a sustainable destination, with 56.024 votes.