The region of Calvià, Mallorca, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the European Capital of Tourism 2027, joining a select group of destinations recognised by the European Commission for their leadership in smart and sustainable tourism.
The shortlisting recognises the significant progress Calvià has made in reshaping its tourism model. In June 2026, Magaluf celebrated the completion of its 2.3-kilometre Gabriel Escarrer Julià Seafront Promenade, a €6.2 million, fully accessible waterfront featuring protected dune systems, rainwater collection and seawater-fed showers, co-financed by the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS) and the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme.
The project forms part of the wider ‘Magaluf for All’ campaign, alongside the renovation of Punta Ballena and Calle Blanc, designed to reposition Magaluf as a more sustainable holiday destination.
Juan Antonio Amengual, the Mayor of Calvià, stated: "We are very pleased that the destination's major transformation is being recognised. That is precisely what is being taken into account: social, economic, and environmental sustainability transformation. Simply being among the finalists, one of just eight cities, is a great success for Calvià. And we will be there in Brussels, presenting and defending our candidacy, and fighting for first place."
As part of Calvià’s sustainable tourism model, the destination has established legal protection for Posidonia seagrass deposits that accumulate along its beaches during the winter, allowing them to act as a natural geological barrier against coastal erosion and helping to strengthen the resilience of the coastline.
Beyond the coast, a new network of signposted hiking trails around the Galatzó Public Estate, such as the Calvià Film Set route invites visitors to explore the iconic locations that have served as backdrops for international and national productions, while key events such as the Year of Cinema 2026 and Conecta Fiction & Entertainment Magaluf solidifies Calvià’s position as a hub for creativity and the audiovisual industry.
