I like a good list. That is probably obvious to anyone who reads my blogs on a regular basis.
Another thing you’ve probably learned is that I don’t travel like I used to. But I still like to visit places in other ways than physically. I can go there mentally and spiritually, too.
As such, I’ve found that every city has its own personality. Some cities feel very loud and full of busy happenings. Others are beautiful or historic. Some cities are relaxing. Still others have an endlessly creative community.
Anyway, I’m not the only one who looks at cities. Every year, Time Out surveys thousands of locals around the world to discover which cities people truly love living in and visiting.
This year, those people at Time Out focused on many things for their list. The list highlights places known for “incredible food, art, nightlife, history, green spaces, walkability, and that hard-to-describe feeling that makes a city unforgettable.”
So, here they are. The 50 best cities in the world for 2026 — along with the thing each one does best.
Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel spotlights the top 50 destinations.
1. Melbourne — Sports, food, festivals, and culture.
2. Shanghai — Modern energy, cafés, food, and affordability.
3. Edinburgh — Walkable beauty, history, arts, and green spaces.
4. London — Museums, theatre, food, pubs, and constant reinvention.
5. New York — Energy, culture, food, and nonstop excitement.
6. Cape Town — Natural beauty, beaches, food, and mountain views.
7. Mexico City — History, art, food, and World Cup excitement.
8. Bangkok — Street food, temples, nightlife, and creative chaos.
9. Seoul — Art, bakeries, music, and year-round festivals.
10. Tokyo — Food, safety, subcultures, and endless discovery.
11. Zürich — Public transport, festivals, lake life, and scenery.
12. Rio de Janeiro — Beaches, samba, beauty, and outdoor joy.
13. Copenhagen — Cycling, food, design, and relaxed living.
14. São Paulo — Museums, nightlife, restaurants, and creativity.
15. Hong Kong — Bars, restaurants, hotels, and fast-moving city life.
16. Kraków — Fairytale streets, castles, food, and history.
17. Porto — Port wine, riverside beauty, food, and charm.
18. Guadalajara — Mariachi, tequila, culture, and happiness.
19. Madrid — Art, nightlife, food, and welcoming energy.
20. Valencia — Beaches, paella, old town, and sunshine.
21. Sydney — Harbour views, beaches, food, and festivals.
22. Paris — Art, food, fashion, beauty, and culture.
23. Singapore — Efficiency, transit, food, and modern attractions.
24. Marrakech — Medina life, art, riads, and creative energy.
25. Hanoi — Old-world streets, cafés, nightlife, and reinvention.
26. Bath — Roman history, spas, books, and green spaces.
27. Bilbao — Pintxos, art, beaches, and mountain views.
28. Berlin — Nightlife, art, history, and creative freedom.
29. Adelaide — Festivals, wine country, beaches, and food.
30. Beijing — History, hutongs, affordability, and imperial grandeur.
31. Antwerp — Fashion, food, art, and walkable neighborhoods.
32. Chiang Mai — Temples, coffee, art, wellness, and friendliness.
33. Naples — Pizza, chaos, history, and strong community.
34. Amsterdam — Canals, markets, food, bikes, and culture.
35. Medellín — Nightlife, street art, food, and comeback energy.
36. Lima — World-class cuisine and Pacific Coast views.
37. Vancouver — Mountains, ocean, parks, and outdoor adventure.
38. Ho Chi Minh City — Food, nightlife, film, and creative growth.
39. Osaka — Street food, shopping, culture, and easy day trips.
40. Athens — Ancient ruins, beaches, food, and nightlife.
41. Chicago — Food, art, neighborhoods, and civic pride.
42. Cairo — Pyramids, museums, history, and Nile energy.
43. Buenos Aires — Theatre, steak, tango, parks, and passion.
44. Vienna — Music, museums, cafés, and elegant public transport.
45. Dublin — Pub culture, parks, villages, and coastal walks.
46. San Francisco — Hills, parks, bridges, and Bay views.
47. Lagos — Music, nightlife, art, food, and electric energy.
48. Auckland — Harbors, food, islands, and natural beauty.
49. Lisbon — Views, tiles, tascas, music festivals, and charm.
50. Bogotá — Restaurants, street art, nightlife, and culture.
I’ve only been to about nine of these. And I have to say that of those, #34 Amsterdam was my favorite. I really loved Berlin too.
Cities that I loved that didn’t make the list would be Charleston, SC and St. Petersburg, Russia.
So pack your bags. Your real bags or your virtual bags and explore the world. It is a big round planet. And it’s filled with so much to see and learn.
“””””””””””
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” — Mark Twain
“””””””””””
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” — Anita Desai
“””””””””””
“A great city is that which has the greatest men and women.” — Walt Whitman
“””””””””””
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” — Henry Miller
“””””””””””
