In Time Out’s tenth-anniversary ranking, the Australian city edges out Shanghai and Edinburgh to take the crown — with half of the global Top 10 now belonging to the Asia-Pacific region.
or ten years, Time Out has gone straight to the people who know cities best — the locals who live in them every day — to crown the world’s most exciting places to live and visit. For 2026, the verdict is in, and an Australian city has taken the title for the very first time.
The British media group built this year’s list from the responses of more than 24,000 city dwellers across 150 cities, layered with insight from a panel of over 100 Time Out experts worldwide. The result is a ranking that reflects not just what looks good on a postcard, but what genuinely makes urban life worth living: the food, the culture, the affordability, the green space and the everyday sense of happiness.
Melbourne crowned the world’s best city for 2026
Australia’s cultural and sporting capital climbed three places this year to reach the summit. It is a city that runs on rhythm — anchored by global events like the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and powered by a food scene that ranges from hole-in-the-wall dumpling bars to century-old institutions. Laneways spill over with street art, rooftop bars and independent cinemas, and the recently opened Metro Tunnel has made the whole city easier to navigate. Locals back the hype: roughly 94% rate the food highly and 92% praise the arts and culture, helping Melbourne rank as the world’s third-best city for Gen Z.
The Top 10 cities in the world right now
No.1
Melbourne, Australia
A first-ever No.1, powered by world-class sport, an unbeatable dining scene and creative neighbourhoods bursting with character.
94% rate the food · 92% praise arts & culture · 3rd-best city for Gen Z
No.2
Shanghai, China
A city of striking contrasts where heritage architecture meets cutting-edge design. With visa-free entry now open to citizens of more than 50 countries, its affordable food and cycle-friendly streets are easier to reach than ever.
88% say eating out is affordable · 78% love cycling the city
No.3
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The highest-ranked British city, built around a castle and an extinct volcano. It tied for the best walkability score in the world and ranks among the happiest cities surveyed.
94% rate the food · 91% love the green spaces · 91% say it makes them happy
No.4
London, United Kingdom
Still overflowing with culture, cuisine and character, with major museum openings and a packed festival season on the way in 2026.
99% applaud the arts & culture · 96% praise the food scene
No.5
New York, United States
A cultural heavyweight that slipped from third last year but still sets the global pace, with faster transit and a new international terminal opening at JFK.
93% rate arts & culture · 78% call it the most exciting city in the world
No.6
Cape Town, South Africa
Pristine beaches, vibrant neighbourhoods and a booming food scene, all beneath the iconic Table Mountain.
86% call it the most beautiful city in the world · 85% rate their wellbeing highly
No.7
Mexico City, Mexico
Aztec heritage, world-class museums and a celebrated culinary scene fused into one electric package.
80% rate the food scene highly · 85% praise its independent shops
No.8
Bangkok, Thailand
Beautiful chaos done right — ancient temples beside bold modern towers, legendary street food and a fast, clean Skytrain network.
81% rate the food scene · 79% enjoy everyday life there
No.9
Seoul, South Korea
A city for every season and a booming bakery capital, with seven major cultural landmarks debuting across South Korea in 2026.
79% say their city makes them happy
No.10
Tokyo, Japan
A megacity of a million subcultures, home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else and the world’s coolest neighbourhood, Jimbocho.
Voted joint-favourite city among Time Out staff for 2026
The full Top 25 best cities for 2026
- MelbourneAustralia
- ShanghaiChina
- EdinburghUnited Kingdom
- LondonUnited Kingdom
- New YorkUnited States
- Cape TownSouth Africa
- Mexico CityMexico
- BangkokThailand
- SeoulSouth Korea
- TokyoJapan
- ZurichSwitzerland
- Rio de JaneiroBrazil
- CopenhagenDenmark
- São PauloBrazil
- Hong KongHong Kong
- KrakówPoland
- PortoPortugal
- GuadalajaraMexico
- MadridSpain
- ValenciaSpain
- SydneyAustralia
- ParisFrance
- SingaporeSingapore
- MarrakeshMorocco
- HanoiVietnam
How the ranking was compiled
For the tenth anniversary of its Best Cities series, Time Out widened the net. Locals in 150 cities answered questions in 42 different languages, covering everything from nightlife and culture to affordability and overall city vibe — with new categories this year exploring love, romance and a sense of community. Those responses were then combined with the verdicts of more than 100 Time Out city experts and weighed across 44 separate criteria to produce the final list. This year’s edition is produced in partnership with Intrepid Travel.
What it means for travellers and city-watchers
What stands out about the 2026 list is its breadth: smaller and second cities now sit comfortably between the world’s mega-metropolises, a sign that liveability and local pride increasingly matter as much as global name recognition. For anyone planning travel, relocation or simply tracking where urban culture is heading, the ranking is a useful snapshot of momentum — and a reminder that the cities people love most are the ones that get the everyday details right.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best city in the world for 2026?
Melbourne, Australia, is the best city in the world for 2026 according to Time Out — its first time at No.1 in the ranking’s ten-year history.How does Time Out decide the world’s best cities?
Time Out surveyed more than 24,000 locals across 150 cities in 42 languages, then combined those answers with input from over 100 city experts and weighed everything across 44 criteria.Which cities are in the Top 5 for 2026?
The Top 5 are Melbourne, Shanghai, Edinburgh, London and New York.Did any city drop down the ranking this year?
Yes — New York fell from third place in 2025 to fifth in 2026, while Melbourne climbed three places to reach No.1.
Source: Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel 2026 ranking, published March 2026. Figures and rankings reproduced here for reporting purposes. The Manager Channel.
