If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting the Eiffel Tower or the Tower Bridge, this list is for you. The best cities in the world are so much more than just spots where tourists go—they’re places that offer travellers everything they need to make their trip successful.
So what makes a city great? This ranking considers how well-known each destination is, how easy it is to use public transportation, and how many museums, parks and other attractions are within walking distance from each hotel. That way, we’ve got you covered whether you want to spend all your time outside or indoors—or maybe somewhere in between!
Prosperity: The categories include the number of Global 500 corporate headquarters located within each City, a measure of how evenly income is distributed in that economy (Gini coefficient), and unemployment figures.
The company says that although most travellers wouldn’t necessarily factor these things into a destination, greater “prosperity” draws more people to live in these cities, eventually driving more economic growth and development. The many benefits of increased international tourism include a vibrant arts and cultural scene, a higher standard of living, and better airports.
Product: The Product category includes a city’s infrastructure—the physical aspects of its development, such as buildings and roads. Attractions, museums, and other areas, such as airport connectivity, along with the number of direct destinations served by a city’s airports, are all considered under this category. In addition, ranking for local universities is also factored in—with particular emphasis on the best school in town—and the size of the local convention center.
Programming: This is a list of activities that most guidebooks would classify as “things to do” and includes experiences offered in culture (such as performing arts), nightlife, dining, and shopping recommended by locals and visitors.
The best city rankings are based on a complex system of metrics
The best city rankings are based on the opinions of those who have visited those cities. We query our users for data about their favourite cities and then use this information to create a ranking.
An excellent example of this is our “best city for millennials” ranking (which happens to be Chicago). We asked more than 100,000 people across the United States: “What do you think are the best cities in which to live?” anded their responses along with other demographic data like median income and housing prices to determine which cities were most appealing overall.
The results surprised us! There was no clear winner across all age groups—but there were winners within each group! San Diego ranked #1 among millennial women, while Honolulu took top honours among millennial men.
London, United Kingdom
London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It is the most populous city in the United Kingdom, with a metropolitan area of over 13 million inhabitants. London is one of the world’s leading global cities, with strengths in finance, business services, research and development, culture, media and sports.
Despite a year when England’s longest-reigning monarch passed away, despite three prime ministers in mere months, and the explosion of tabloid headlines from Brexit to Boris Johnson’s biceps… “Despite much-warranted hand-wringing about the flight of talent (and capital) due to the pall that enveloped Britain following last summer’s referendum, it appears as if savvy business owners remain optimistic.
Although the pound has fallen sharply since Britain voted to leave the E.U., London is doing just fine, thanks to its reliance on foreign investment and an influx of tourists who had previously been priced out by high hotel rates caused by a strong currency. Property prices in this City have grown faster than in the rest of the country—and new residents can now afford to purchase homes. These people are helping finance a multimillionaire’s dream: living on Fifth Avenue.
fDi Markets, the Financial Times’ foreign investment tracker, reports that London has pulled more foreign direct investments into tech from international companies than any other city since 2018—ahead of New York, Singapore and Dubai.
Paris, France
Paris is one of the world’s most important and influential cultural cities – it’s also one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. The City has more than 2 million inhabitants but still feels smallish due to its compact layout: everything you might want to see or do within walking distance! Paris has been a center for art since ancient times – there are stunning museums here, like Louvre, that display incredible collections from around the globe (and even back through history).
If you’re looking for a European city with a thriving cultural scene, you’ll find it in Paris. The City has been the capital of France since the 10th century and is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. There are many things to do in Paris, but if you’re looking for some great food and wine, I recommend checking out any restaurant that claims to be Michelin-starred. We ate at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (one star), which was terrific — watch for the macarons!
Paris is also home to the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées, which are must-sees while you’re there. The City has a rich history, so if you want to learn more about it, check out the Musée du Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. And if you’re looking for some fresh air after all that walking around Paris’s beautiful streets, head over to Bois de Boulogne for some relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
New York City, United States
New York City is the ultimate playground, and it’s also one of the most competitive cities in the world. The City is so big that it has its time zone and is home to 8 million people working hard to succeed.
New York has a lot of buzz because of its incredible growth as a global financial center: companies like Google and Facebook have opened their offices here; startups are migrating from Silicon Valley, and tech giants like Apple are making significant investments in NYC. It’s no wonder New Yorkers are busy figuring out how to trend!
New Yorkers love their City—they would never leave! That said, there aren’t many locals who would suggest moving here unless you’re looking for more opportunity or access than your current location provides (or if you want to avoid paying income tax).
The City’s cultural attractions received recognition this year through a new Museum of Broadway, an expanded Louis Armstrong House Museum and a jazz club with Lincoln Center acoustics at Aman.
We’ve added some seriously legit food halls to the Sights and Landmarks list: Singaporean/Malaysian Urban Hawker Center, Tin Building by Jean-Georges at revamped South Street Seaport. And as Broadway returns with a full roster of shows and concerts, we expect visitors will follow—especially since tickets are more affordable this season than last year’s.
Tokyo, Japan
The most expensive City in the world is also one of the most populous. Home to over 13 million people, Tokyo is a city that offers more than just a visit to a few temples and shrines. There’s an extensive public transportation system and plenty of cultures happening every day that make it worthwhiletage of this significant metropolis’ offerings.
The City has a reputation for being very expensive, and the cost of living can be daunting. However, if you’re smart about your budget and take advantage of what Tokyo has to offer, then it’s possible to make this City affordable.
Yes, Tokyo is an expensive city to live in. But there are ways to make it more affordable. If you’re a student looking for a place to stay, consider sharing an apartment with others in your program. Most universities have apartments available for students who wish to live off-campus, and these can be very affordable if you split the cost between several people.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: If you want to be wowed by the world’s tallest building and then get a massage while watching your favourite Netflix show, Dubai has you covered.
Dubai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with its population expected to increase by 80 percent within the next 20 years. It’s also home to over 2 million ex-pats—including celebrities like Tiger Woods, Sting and Jason Statham—and boasts an impressive ranking as one of the most competitive cities to live and do business in.
While many people think of Dubai as just another glitzy desert city where all residents are affluent sheikhs or oil tycoons living large on some opulent estate or yacht, it’s pretty diverse: Over 66 percent of residents hold Emirati citizenship (a nationality specific only within this region), 15 percent are South Asian ex-pats from India or Pakistan, and 7 percent come from other parts of Asia; only about 5 percent are Westerners like Americans or Europeans who migrated there for work opportunities during World War II when oil was first discovered in what would later become known as Abu Dhabi Province
Barcelona, Spain
If you’ve ever enjoyed visiting Barcelona, you know it has a lot to offer. It’s one of the most visited cities in Europe (second only to London), and with good reason: it has a beautiful coastline, great weather and vibrant culture. With so much going on every day, we wanted to share with you what makes this City so unique.
Barcelona is known for its architecture—notably by Antoni Gaudí—and he designs many buildings throughout the City. The Basilica La Sagrada Familia is perhaps his most famous work, an unfinished project under construction since 1882!
There are also plenty of museums like Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, which houses many pieces from famous artists such as Dalí or Picasso, and some sculptures from Miró himself!
During your visit, don’t forget about tapas bars where traditional Spanish cuisine comes alive with delicious plates full of flavour! You won’t want to go home without trying paella, which consists of rice cooked in seafood broth topped off with vegetables like green beans or something else.
Rome, Italy
Rome is the capital of Italy, so it’s super easy to get there. The City has a rich history that dates back to ancient times and is home to many historical landmarks. Rome has been around since Christ was born, so you can imagine how many impressive buildings and structures it has accumulated. It’s also one of those cities that just never seems to sleep—a vibrant hub where people are always out late at night enjoying themselves somehow.
For better or worse (probably worse), this means that you’ll be able to find yourself drawn into situations that might not be ideal for your trip abroad: getting lost for hours on end without having any idea where you’re going, trying desperately not to fall asleep during your tour guide’s attempt at explaining why something is significant; accidentally spending all your money on gelato instead of souvenirs because it tastes so good! But don’t worry too much about these mishaps; they’ll make for some hilarious stories later when someone asks about them!
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and it’s also the country’s most visited City. It’s also the third most-seen City in Europe—and believe me, if you are for a Spanish vacation that feels “real,” this is where you want to go.
Madrid has a population of 3.2 million people, making it the second largest city in Spain after Barcelona (6th on TripAdvisor’s list). So what sets Madrid apart from other options? One could argue that its location near several cultural hotspots like Toledo and Segovia makes it a natural draw for travellers looking to learn about this country’s rich heritage.
Still, ultimately, Madrid offers something special for everyone: luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton and Parador de Madrid only step away from some of the best food markets I’ve ever seen—and if you have kids with you (or enjoy an active lifestyle), why not rent bikes and explore on two wheels instead of four?
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia, located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It’s known for its strict laws and regulations and for being one of the world’s most expensive cities. Singapore is home to several global financial institutions, including World Bank and International Monetary Fund headquarters. It’s also a significant tourist destination with attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and Gardens by The Bay—a large park featuring artificial rainforest canopies that collect rainwater for reuse in local water systems.
Singapore has one of Asia’s highest standards of living and was ranked 4th overall on The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2019 livability index (behind Melbourne, Vienna, and Austria).
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, and it’s known for many things: canals, wooden houses and narrow lanes. Amsterdam is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It was listed as one of the top 15 cities on Lonely Planet’s list of best travel destinations for 2019!
But what makes Amsterda Besidesve to tourists? Well, besides many beautiful—and having tons of restaurants with delicious meals. Amsterdam also boasts some impressive sites like Anne Frank’s House (the home where she wrote her famous diary) and The Van Gogh Museum (the museum dedicated to Vincent van Gogh). Suppose you’re looking for an affordable destination with plenty of activities and attractions while still being cheap enough for budget travellers like yourself. In that case, this should be on your list’s top spot!
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a city of art, culture, and history. Its turbulent past has shaped it into a unique destination that is more than just a tourist destination in Germany. You can expect to find some of the most beautiful buildings in Europe here—and they’re not just old! Even the modern facilities in Berlin have an artistic vibe that will inspire you as soon as you step foot on the streets.
Berlin’s architecture reflects its long and often violent history: The City was once split into two distinct parts during the Cold War (East vs West) but now houses new architecture and historical landmarks side-by-side. This enables visitors to experience both sides of this great urban center while spending time exploring museums.
They were also taking tours through former military bases or border crossings where people used to live under surveillance from each other because they lived on opposite sides of an imaginary line drawn across their city street at one point during the post-war years. When the conflict between East & West Germany was still intense enough, tensions between these two opposing camps remained high enough for many citizens feared for their safety if caught walking through certain areas without proper credentials showing who belonged at any given time.
Montreal, Canada
Montreal is the second-largest City in Canada and the largest in the province of Quebec. The City has a unique atmosphere and is a trendy tourist destination. It’s a great place to visit to experience French culture. Still, suppose you’d rather see something different than what Europe has. In that case, Montreal also offers plenty of modern attractions, making it an excellent vacation spot for travellers interested in catching up with the latest trends.
The Old Port district is one area where visitors can experience this multicultural vibe; this neighbourhood features many shops, restaurants and bars where people from all over come together to enjoy themselves while celebrating their traditions or just having fun with friends on a warm summer day by taking advantage of some good food options available throughout this part of town (such as poutine!)
These are the most competitive cities in the entire world
We all know that the best cities in the world are also the most competitive, but it’s easy to forget that they’re not just more competitive than other cities; they’re more competitive than any other place on Earth. If you’re an ambitious person looking for a challenge in your career, or if you’ve ever dreamed of living in a city where every day feels like an adventure (but where there’s still time to relax), these are places worth considering.
Certain things can make a living in these cities easier: low housing costs; good job opportunities; reasonable transportation options (if you don’t want to own a car); and plenty of outdoor activities (if you’re going to stay fit). With those considerations out of the way, here are some insider tips from people who live there:
You can motivate yourself without being mean to yourself
Don’t tell yourself you are dumb. Don’t tell yourself that you are lazy and unmotivated. Don’t say, “I am fat, ugly and can never have a boyfriend.”
Sometimes we use words against ourselves without meaning to do it, but it is a bad habit that must stop now.
Instead of being mean to yourself, be your best friend, coach (or cheerleader). You can motivate yourself in ways that make sense because it helps build positive self-esteem!
Why we love it: With nonstop flights from most U.S. cities, Amsterdam’s easy accessibility—thanks to its beautiful canals and world-class museums—makes it a popular stop for any Euro trip or romantic getaway. Amsterdam’s cultural offerings are outstanding, and they’ve also been leaders in sustainable tourism. In 2018, one hospitality company began turning Amsterdam’s abandoned bridge houses into charming hotel rooms—and by 2030, it will be illegal to drive a gas or diesel car in the City.
Takeaway
It’s easy to get wrapped up in a negative cycle of thinking. You’ll want to change that because there are things you can do to create positive change and make the world a better place.
You deserve to feel good, so do something nice for yourself! You deserve it! You must treat, nurture, and love yourself as much as possible. And when we say “treat,” we mean with kindness and care—not by letting yourself off the hook for being imperfect.
When you permit yourself to be who you indeed are (even if it isn’t perfect), it becomes easier not only for others but also for us all to be kinder toward each other by treating everyone with respect and dignity regardless of where they come from or what their background is like.
For this shift in perspective about ourselves to externally manifest itself within our mindsets before eventually spilling into our actions throughout society, though: We must start small!
In conclusion, the best cities in the world to visit right now are London, Paris, New York City, and Tokyo. These are all great cities to visit if you want to experience some amazing food and culture. If you prefer something more exotic then Dubai might be for you!
