The world’s 20 best cities for culture right now - DRAFT

Why visit now: ‘The Parisian spring is unfolding with almost euphoric energy,’ says Marine Delcambre, editorial manager for Time Out France. ‘Stages are turning into skateparks or inflatable castles, some performances flirt with weightlessness, and ballets take on the spirit of a party. Paris’s museums are having a remarkable year – the Grand Palais reopened with a blockbuster Dolce & Gabbana exhibition, while the Centre Pompidou is bidding farewell ahead of its 5-year renovation with Paris Noir, an ode to France’s Black artists in the late twentieth century. The Cartier Foundation has relocated to the Palais-Royal for a fresh start, while visitors will once again be welcomed to the towers of Notre-Dame this summer. And in the autumn, artist JR will transform the Pont Neuf into a monumental cave, a stunning tribute to Christo’s 1985 installation The Pont Neuf Wrapped. 

‘But culture never sleeps – and neither does Paris. Museums are embracing the night in the French capital, from festive late-night events at David Hockney 25 to the Nuit des Musées on May 17, where institutions including Carnavalet, Bourse de Commerce, Picasso Museum and Arts Décoratifs will mix culture, music and light late into the night. Proof, if ever it was needed, that in Paris, the curtain never falls.’

How it ranked: An enormous 96 percent of Parisians rated their city’s culture scene as either ‘good’ or ‘amazing’ in our survey, and the French capital received the joint-highest share of votes from our panel of culture experts. Are we surprised? Of course not. Paris is a global epicentre for the arts, home to the world’s largest and most visited museum in the Louvre, not to mention heavyweights like the Museé de Orsay, Palais de Tokyo and the Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce. All of these titan art venues got a shout-out from locals in our survey, as did the city’s impressive programme of seasonal events, from summer street party Fête de la Musique to La Villette’s Cinema en Plein Air.

📍 Discover the best museums in Paris

Why visit now: ‘Florentines proudly describe their city as the Cradle of the Renaissance, and it’s true that the magnificent churches, piazzas and palaces make the historic centre feel like one big open-air museum,’ says local writer Phoebe Hunt. ‘But among the grandeur, there’s plenty of cutting-edge culture waiting to be explored this summer, too. Catch the last months of Tracey Emin’s exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, an open-air movie in the grounds of Villa Bardini, or a contemporary dance show within the grounds of Fiesole’s Roman amphitheatre. For a new perspective on something old, you can now walk the newly reopened secret passage across the Ponte Vecchio to see the famous bridge from above.’ 

How it ranked: Florence received the second-highest number of votes from Time Out’s culture panel, alongside a 73 percent quality rating for its cultural offering from locals. The Uffizi Galleries, packed with Botticellis, da Vincis and Caravaggios, got the biggest shoutout from Florentines as the city’s must-visit cultural venue, followed by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino opera house – and, of course, the many historic squares (two of which are home to replicas of Michelangelo’s David).

📍 Discover the best museums in Florence

Why visit now: ‘This Scottish city has it all: a world-leading arts festival, fantastic museums, a rich literary heritage,’ says Chiara Wilkinson, Time Out’s UK deputy editor. ‘Yet just when you think you’ve got to grips with Edinburgh’s culture scene, a new thing pops up to prove you wrong. The widely popular Days Festival made its debut last year, and is returning with a stacked daytime lineup of underground dance music this May. Also in May, the city will open Europe’s first ever museum dedicated to contemporary Palestinian art. And then there’s the blockbuster Edinburgh Summer Sessions, which is hosting Chappel Roan for two nights – the star’s only announced UK gigs outside of Reading and Leeds. And that’s not even half of it.’ 

How it ranked: One thing about Edinburgh? It knows how to put on a show. The city’s summer festivals received the lion’s share of praise in our survey, from the iconic, eccentric Fringe to the refined International Festival and July‘s mega-celebration of Jazz & Blues. Eighty-five percent of locals rated the city’s cultural offering favourably, while a respectable 61 percent said art and culture is affordable.

📍 Discover the best art galleries and theatres in Edinburgh

Why visit now: ‘Mexico City is the perfect blend of the traditional and the contemporary, which no doubt makes our capital one of the best destinations for art and culture on the planet,’ says Mauricio Nava, editorial director of Time Out Mexico. ‘Alongside long-standing traditions like Dia De Los Muertos, there’s a contemporary culture scene finding its footing that’s super easy to get involved in. CDMX offers free festivals nearly every weekend, celebrating dance, literature, art, and more. Top picks include Museums Month, the Open House bash in May, the World Cultures Museum Fair, the UNAM Contemporary Dance event in August, the Indigenous Cultures Fair, and the massive Zócalo Book Fair in October – just to give you a taste.’

How it ranked: Eighty-five percent of locals rated art and culture positively in Mexico City, spotlighting music events and fairs in the Zócalo, mighty museums including the Museo de Arte Moderno, and long-established, city-wide celebrations, from Day of the Dead to Mexican Independence Day. Time Out’s culture panel cemented the city’s status as a cultural hotspot, with CDMX receiving the third-highest number of votes. 

📍 Discover the best museums in Mexico City

Why visit now: ‘From world-class exhibitions and sparkly mainstage extravaganzas to grassroots artist collectives and drag queens strutting their stuff on bartops, Sydney’s diverse tapestry of arts and culture is a huge part of what makes our city so special – we’re so much more than harbours and beaches!’ says Alannah Le Cross, Time Out Sydney’s arts and culture editor. ‘Sydney’s theatre scene is particularly alive right now – there's always a new major musical making its premiere, while the Sydney Theatre Company (birthplace of current Broadway hit The Picture of Dorian Gray) and indie spaces like the Old Fitz Theatre (a pub theatre) are busy incubating the next generation of storytellers.’

How it ranked: Australia’s most populous city tied with Paris as a favourite among Time Out’s panel of experts, receiving a 42 percent editor score. And locals agree, with 70 percent rating their city’s culture scene favourably, highlighting events like Sydney Film Festival, Mardi Gras and Sydney Fringe, alongside (of course) the iconic Sydney Opera House, plus indie venues like Enmore Theatre and the world-class Art Gallery of New South Wales. 

📍 Discover the best museums in Sydney

Why visit now: ‘From blockbuster festivals like Sónar and Primavera Sound to small venues offering intimate performances, like the recently revived El Molino, Barcelona has it all,’ says Time Out Barcelona editor Maria Jose Gomez. ‘It’s not the cheapest city, but there’s an excellent offering of free cultural activities: programs like Barcelona Districte Cultural; free-to-enter galleries like Chiquita Room, Bombon Projects and FUGA; free monthly museum days; and events like Llum BCN, the 48H Open House and Architecture Weeks. We’re proud of our majority Catalan theatre programming, which culminates in July with the Grec Festival, full of national and international performances. And then there’s our strong literary heritage, best experienced at the annual Sant Jordi festival, a celebration of books and roses held every April 23.’ 

How it ranked: From the industrial modernisme of the CaixaForum to Gaudí’s surreal architecture, you need only to stroll around the city to experience Barcelona’s extraordinary artistic legacy. Eighty-five percent of locals rated the city’s culture scene highly, spotlighting festivals from the eclectic Cruiïlla to Primavera, one of the biggest and best music fests on the continent. The esteemed Teatre Lliure and multi-purpose arts hub Centre de Cultura Contemporània also received multiple shout-outs in our survey. Long story short, you’ll never, ever be bored in Barcelona.

📍 Discover the best museums and galleries in Barcelona

Why visit now: ‘With stunning architecture soaring as high as Chicago’s, the city’s already as visually arresting as it gets,’ says Christina Izzo, interim editor at Time Out Chicago. ‘However, the 312 is constantly sprucing up its already well-boned structure, with new outdoor installations and public art initiatives integrating into and interacting with the city’s world-famous infrastructure. Annual favourite ART on the MART will illuminate downtown buildings with digital artwork, this year’s EXPO Chicago will see artists boldly take over area billboards and information panels, and as part of the Public Art Fund, bus shelters and newsstands were recently transformed with the moving montages of Carmen Winant’s My Mother and Eye project. Who needs an exhibition hall when you have an entire city?’

How it ranked: There’s a dizzying amount of cultural goings-on in Chicago. Asked their favourite venues and events, locals named everything from mammoth museums (Art Institute of Chicago, National Museum of Mexican Art) and performing arts venues (Music Box Theatre, Chicago Symphony Orchestra) to major festivals and neighbourhood hangouts (Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest, Lollapalooza). Not to mention all the free stuff, like Open House Chicago, events in Pritzker Pavilion and Midsommarfest – no wonder 63 percent of locals said culture in Chicago is affordable. Chicago also received the highest rating of all cities on the list for the quality of its culture scene, with a whopping 98 percent of locals singing its praises.

📍 Discover the best museums in Chicago

Why visit now: ‘Lisbon’s art scene is thriving,’ says Vera Moura, Time Out Portugal’s editorial director. ‘The city’s jumped head-first into the international fair circuit, giving its artists the recognition they deserve, and there’s been a steady rise in galleries and collectors. Several mammoth museums have opened in the past year, including the jaw-dropping CAM, with sleek architecture by Japanese star Kengo Kuma (already award-winning, of course); the Albuquerque Foundation, with one of the planet’s biggest private collections of imported Chinese porcelain; MACAM, a gorgeous new space showcasing art from the late 1800s onwards, a chapel-turned-bar (yes, really) and even a hotel on site; and, finally, MUDE, open again after an eight-year makeover, with eight floors, a rooftop terrace, and knockout views across the city’s rooftops.’

How it ranked: With a 72 percent score for quality and a 66 percent score for affordability, Lisbon’s culture scene is one to watch. The city is home to Portugal’s largest concert venue in the CCB, a sprawling collection of international art at the Gulbenkian and a staggering number of festivals and events, from traditional street parades like Festas dos Santos Populares to major music fests like Nos Alive, held on the Algés waterfront. 

📍 Discover the best museums in Lisbon

Why visit now: ‘What's charming about modern, youthful Hanoi is that the past is never far away,’ says local writer Joey Gann. ‘In the Old Quarter, the group Dong Kinh Co Nhac breathes new life into ancient silk-stringed instruments, while across town at Hanoi Rock City, up-and-coming local bands command packed dancefloors. 100km south in the mountains of Mai Chau, the ‘rave in a cave’ Equation Festival, now in its seventh year, is increasingly garnering international attention. Hanoi’s fashion scene is just as dynamic – designers like Kilomet109 and Subtle Le Nguyen are transforming ethnic minority textiles into globally revered couture, drawing on centuries-old silk traditions.’

How it ranked: Hanoi is the cheapest city for art and culture on the list, with 82 percent of locals ranking the Vietnamese capital highly for affordability. Take its weekend walking streets – by far the most recommended of all the city’s cultural offerings in our survey – where the roads of the Old Quarter and around Hoàn Kiếm Lake are cleared of traffic to make room for street performances, traditional dance and live music. Several mentions also went to the grand, neoclassical Hanoi Opera House, as well as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Hanoi

Why visit now: ‘Cape Town's culture scene has seen an explosion of talent over the last few years,’ says Time Out South Africa content director Andrew Hallett. ‘Take Dweba Art & Cafe, a new resident of Longmarket Street, where artists fearlessly confront contemporary issues through diverse visual languages over a cup of coffee. We've seen an impressive run of stage shows, including Dear Evan Hansen, which local actor Stuart Brown shone in. Always keep an eye on what’s happening at the Artscape and the plethora of independent theatres dotted around the city. The Iziko South African Museum is a personal favourite, especially if you have curious kids. And First Thursdays, a monthly evening of art, culture and open galleries in the heart of the city, is always a winner – locals love it so much it’s recently expanded to nearby Stellenbosch.’

How it ranked: Cape Town topped our list of the world’s best cities this year, with the city scooping up praise for its food, happiness, beauty – and, of course, its excellent arts and culture scene. Eighty-nine percent of Capetonians rated the city’s cultural offering highly, pointing to events like ArtsCape, First Thursdays, Cape Town Jazz Fest and Kaapse Klopse, as well as the V&A Waterfront, home to our very own Time Out Market Cape Town.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Cape Town

Why visit now: ‘If Beijing’s not the cultural capital of China, nowhere is,’ says Wendy Xu, Time Out Beijing’s English editor. ‘The city constantly surprises you with how it mixes Chinese tradition and modern life. Think art exhibits and indie gigs in courtyard spaces like Days in Yard, sip-and-paint nights at Modernista, Sunday tai chi in Chaoyang Park, and coffee or live music at Mofan Bookstore – a beautiful old church turned café and bookshop. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here.’

How it ranked: Boasting the third-highest scores on this list for both the quality and affordability of its art and culture scene, China’s sprawling capital is an all-round winner for a cultural city break. Locals highlighted the iconic, egg-shaped National Centre for the Performing Arts and the historic plaza of Tiananmen Square as their must-visit venues, while annual celebrations including National Day, Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival also got their fair share of love. 

Why visit now: ‘If you want to experience the best of Tbilisi’s culture, now is the time to visit,’ says Tbilisi local Tamar Lortkipanidze. ‘May marks the start the city’s festival season, starting with Tbilisi Jazz Festival and closing out with Tbilisi Open Air. Georgia’s Independence Day, on May 26, is celebrated with spectacular pomp in the country’s capital. In July, the Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography will host the annual Art-Gene Fest, the largest folk festival in the country. Outside of festival season, year-round you can find fantastic art and culture in Old Tbilisi. Alongside rotating exhibitions, The National Gallery houses the largest collection of work from lauded Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani, while the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts is home to the most impressive collection of Georgian art overall.’

How it ranked: Receiving a 69 percent quality score from locals, Tbilisi’s cultural offerings span book festivals and flower fairs, museums for everything from Georgian wine to vintage cars, and several prominent theatres (locals highlighted the Rustaveli Theatre, the Georgian National Opera Theatre and the Marjanishvili among their favourites). Old Town Tbilisi topped the list of locals’ favourite sports for art and culture, though close behind was the Ethnographic Museum, an open-air treasure trove of Georgian history and tradition.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Tbilisi

Why visit now: ‘As well as the big-name museums and galleries, many smaller spaces like Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace, Jakarta Art Hub and M Bloc Space are becoming popular venues for various creative communities,’ says Jakarta expert Leyla Rose. ‘For live music fans, Jakarta’s thriving music scene sees annual festivals like Djakarta Warehouse Project, We The Fest, Soundrenaline, Synchronize Fest and Java Jazz Festival. At the same time, I love that traditional Indonesian culture like dance, martial arts and spoken word is still upheld with celebrations like Palang Pintu Festival. Fun fact: Jakarta is also the only place in Southeast Asia that’s a UNESCO City of Literature.’

How it ranked: Seventy-two percent of Jakarta locals rated culture in their city as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, highlighting the city’s night market culture and plethora of festivals – most mentions went to the Betawi Festival, an annual knees-up to honour the city’s anniversary celebrations, complete with food, music and martial arts. And with a 77 percent score for affordability, Jakarta’s culture scene is the second-cheapest on the list.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Jakarta

Why visit now: ‘Delhi’s culture scene has more energy than ever,’ says local Delhi expert Shuvajit Payne. ‘The newly opened museum at Humayun’s Tomb is a splendid example of how cultural spaces are evolving in India – engaging, smartly designed, and true to their purpose, in this case, bringing Mughal history to life. The city’s growing flair for art in varied forms has seen the much-loved India Art Fair and Delhi Theatre Festival get bigger, better, and more inclusive each year.’

How it ranked: From traditional celebrations like Eid, Diwali and Holi to the Delhi International Jazz Festival and the New Delhi Book Fair, Delhi’s cultural calendar is jam-packed. No wonder 89 percent of locals rated their city’s culture scene highly in our survey – and 65 percent said going out and experiencing culture in Delhi isn’t too expensive, either.

📍 Discover the best museums in Delhi

Why visit now: ‘Medellín’s cultural highlights celebrate the city’s rural heritage and urban wildlife,’ says Medellín expert Maggie Clark. ‘Pueblito Paisa offers a traditional village experience within city limits, while north of the Plaza Botero sculpture park is the richly storied San Pedro Cemetery, an overlooked gem amid the region’s many graffiti and museum tours. The city boasts major concerts and moving theatre, but if you’re local in September, definitely don’t miss Medellín’s annual Fiesta del Libro y la Cultura: It’s a nature-infused literary wonderland in Jardín Botánico.’

How it ranked: Eighty-nine percent of locals in Medellín rated their city’s culture scene highly, with 69 percent saying art and culture is affordable. Their highlight? La feria de las Flores, Medellín’s biggest festival that celebrates all things floriculture with parades, concerts and vintage cars for 10 days every August.

Why visit now: ‘Few cities boast a cultural scene that’s as rich, varied, and diverse as Amsterdam’s – there’s truly something for everyone,’ says Derek Robertson, Amsterdam contributor for Time Out. ‘I love how the Rijkmuseum plays host to modern exhibitions like American Photography alongside the Dutch Masters, and there’s a fun new Banksy exhibition at Moco Museum. Paradiso, a beautiful, converted church, is always the best place for indie, alternative, and rock, and the forthcoming London Calling festival has an incredible line-up. This year’s Dekmantel will also be amazing – they’ve expanded outside Amsterdamse Bos to include close listening sessions, live concerts, lectures and film screenings. And of course, it’s the city’s 750th Anniversary this year, so there’s a whole host of festivals, openings, and special events planned from October onwards.’

How it ranked: Asked why anyone should visit their city, Amsterdammers most commonly responded with ‘culture’ in our survey. Who can blame them? The Dutch capital wears its culture loud and proud (pay a visit on King’s Day to see what we mean), and it’s stacked with grand museums, indie galleries, flea markets and gorgeous, gabled buildings overlooking historic canals. Overall, Amsterdam’s culture scene received a 75 percent approval score from locals, with well over half (60 percent) saying it’s affordable, too. 

📍 Discover the best museums and art galleries in Amsterdam

Why visit now: ‘Unlike many historic art cities, culture and arts aren’t a static affair in Marrakech, but a dynamic daily pursuit,’ says Marrakech local writer Paula Hardy. ‘Every year the 1-54 Art Fair brings more international gallerists to the city in search of emerging African talent. Contemporary art gallery MACAAL has also recently been revamped and showcases thought-provoking exhibitions, as does Comptoir des Mines Galerie. Riads, too, contribute to the cultural conversation, hosting conversational salons, artist residencies and artist-led experiences. The best can be found at Dar Al Dall, Jnane Rumi and Riad Jardin Secret, who are behind soon-to-open gallery Rigotang.’

How it ranked: Sixty-eight percent of Marrakech locals rate their city highly for culture, highlighting its dynamic programme of events – namely, the major Marrakech International Film Festival and the delightfully named Laughter Festival, a big annual comedy fest that takes over historic squares and palaces across the city. Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city’s main square and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the second-most mentioned destination.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Marrakech

Why visit now: ‘Vienna is all about Johann Strauss II this year, with 2025 marking the 200th anniversary of the Waltz King’s birth,’ says Vienna expert Natalie Marchant. ‘While The Blue Danube is a symbol of the city’s rich classical music heritage, his waltzes were, in fact, the pop music of its day. It is therefore entirely appropriate that traditional celebrations are being held alongside more innovative events for a twenty-first century audience, including an immersive audiovisual experience at the new Johann Strauss Museum, a smartphone-based audio walking tour and even a rave featuring the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at the Danube Island Festival.’

How it ranked: The Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) is the biggest free admission open-air festival in Europe, and was by far the most recommended of Vienna’s cultural offerings in our survey of locals. However, while 78 percent of locals rate Vienna’s culture scene highly, only 48 percent would call it affordable, according to our survey.  

📍 Discover the best museums in Vienna

Why visit now: ‘Culture in Prague is innovative and multi-disciplinary,’ says Prague local writer Sofia Chesnokova. ‘Fresh highlights include Forbína, a stylish bar serving cocktails inspired by the National Theatre repertoire; open-air theatre in a tent at Azyl78 in Stromovka; CAMP, showcasing the latest architectural developments in the city; and Kunsthalle Praha, an art space in a former power station that hosts yoga sessions and so much more. Then there’s the sprawling Prague Exhibition Grounds, a tonne of new galleries, and an upcoming high-tech planetarium. Trust me – you’ll never get bored in Prague.’

How it ranked: The Czech capital has a rep for its performing arts, with locals in our survey raving about the city’s opera heritage, classical concerts and legendary venues like the National Theatre. A solid 68 percent of locals surveyed approved of the city’s overall cultural offering, while 61 percent said it was affordable. Not bad!

📍 Discover the best museums and things to do in Prague

Why visit now: ‘The culture scene in Abu Dhabi is levelling up – big time,’ says Mariana Cerqueira, Time Out Abu Dhabi editor. ‘teamLab Phenomena, a new location for the international art collective founded in Tokyo, just opened in Saadiyat Cultural District, and the Guggenheim, Natural History Museum and Zayed National Museum, dedicated to the UAE’s history, are up next. Off the tourist trail, MiZa is an emerging artsy neighbourhood, where at 421 Arts Campus you’ll find exhibitions, performances and workshops, and pop-ups and supper clubs at The Alley. Last but certainly not least is the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Check out the current Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power, a collaboration with Paris’s Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac.’ 

How it ranked: Abu Dhabi’s culture scene received all-round good scores from locals, with 86 percent rating it for quality and 67 percent saying it’s inexpensive. Their top pick? The Sheikh Zayed Festival, a mega celebration of Emirati culture featuring Arab singers, folk shows, competitive sports, fireworks, a massive drone show and so much more. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Abu Dhabi