Melbourne tops Time Out’s Best Cities 2026 list

• The wait is over. Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel has just been unveiled, spotlighting the world’s most exciting cities to live in and explore right now - as voted for by locals

• For the first time in the 10-year history of the Best Cities ranking, Melbourne takes the top spot, with locals highly rating the city’s food, art and culture scene.

• Shanghai follows as runner-up this year. Citizens of more than 50 countries can now visit China visa-free and enjoy the city’s cheap eats and cycle-friendly lifestyle 

• Cape Town, Mexico City, Seoul, Bangkok and Tokyo rank in the Top 10 as buzzing culture hubs

11 March 2026 - Australian city Melbourne has been crowned number one in Time Out’s Best Cities ranking for 2026.

From the Australian Open to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne delivers world-class sports alongside a food scene to match. Climbing three places this year, the Victorian capital now ranks as the world’s third-best city for Gen Z - proof that its energy and appeal continue to rise.

Time Out’s Best Cities is a renowned ranking that celebrates the places that locals genuinely love right now, as revealed by more than 24,000 city-dwellers and a panel of Time Out experts from around the world. 

Here are Time Out’s Top 10 Best Cities in the world right now (subject to local government travel guidance):

1. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne’s status as Australia’s sporting and cultural capital is hard to dispute: the city’s calendar is anchored by global drawcards like the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the AFL Grand Final and the Boxing Day Test. Its culinary scene is just as compelling, from cult-favourite burger joints to century-old dining institutions, while neighbourhoods buzz with indie cinemas, rooftop bars and laneways lined with colourful murals. Survey results reinforce the hype: 94% of locals rate the food scene highly, 92% praise its arts and culture, and strong approval from the younger generations helped rank the Victorian capital the third-best city in the world for Gen Z. Now, with the Metro Tunnel open and reshaping the transport network, exploring every corner of the city has never been easier.

2. Shanghai, China

Shanghai is a city of contrasts, where Chinese and colonial-era architecture sit alongside cutting-edge projects like Wong Kar-wai’s Prada’s cinematic restaurant Mi Zhang, as well as cult international brands including Kiramekino Mirai, Ader Error and Meraki Coffee. Specialty cafés and inventive cocktail bars, including Coa and Bar Leone’s second outposts, line the streets. With visa-free entry to China now open to citizens of over 50 countries, it’s easier than ever to experience Shanghai’s energy and culture firsthand. Take it from the locals: 88% say eating out is affordable, 90% praise coffee and cinema prices, and 78% love cycling around the city.

3. Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh turns everyday life up a notch, blending historic grandeur with modern vibrancy. Built around a towering castle and crowned by an extinct volcano, Edinburgh boasts cherry-blossom-lined parks, cobbled alleyways whose stories stretch back to the medieval period, and distinctive neighbourhoods that offer hours of exploration - from Stockbridge for independent boutiques to Leith for trendy new restaurants. The Scottish capital came joint-first for walkability in this year’s survey, meaning it's easy to navigate between comedy shows at the Fringe each August, while a thriving food and arts scene keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. 94% of residents rate the food highly, 91% love the green spaces, and 90% rate its culture, cementing Edinburgh as one of the happiest cities surveyed.

4. London, UK

London is still the most London-y city in the world, overflowing with culture, cuisine and character at every corner. From free museums and galleries to world-class restaurants, pubs and theatres, there’s always something new to discover. This year sees hotly anticipated museum openings, such as the Museum of London in Smithfield, plus hyped restaurant launches and a world-beating day festival season landing in the summer. Londoners surveyed by Time Out love the city: 99% applaud the arts and culture, 96% sing the praises of the food scene, and 94% value its green spaces.

5. New York, USA

New York is a cultural behemoth, blending the historic and the hyped with swagger for days. From pizza and world-class restaurants to public art and performances, like Romeo & Juliet returning to Shakespeare in the Park, New Yorkers strive for the best and it’s those high standards that gives the Big Apple its passion, permanence and perpetual cool. With tappable OMNY fares, faster Amtrak trains and JFK Airport debuting its massive new international terminal in phases beginning this year, getting around has never been easier. In Time Out’s survey, 93% of New Yorkers give top marks to the city’s arts and culture, 91% endorse the food scene, and 78% say New York is the most exciting city in the world.

6. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town wows from the moment you arrive at its award-winning airport, with pristine beaches, vibrant neighbourhoods and welcoming locals, all beneath the iconic Table Mountain and surrounded by the Cape Floral Kingdom and Winelands. The food scene is booming, from Michelin-rated plates at Belmond Mount Nelson’s Amura to Time Out Market Cape Town showcasing the city’s best chefs. This year, the city hosted the KNOX MMA fight series; this month sees the debut of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Franschhoek, and the city will welcome a new Marriott EDITION at the V&A Waterfront later in the year. The numbers speak for themselves with 86% of Capetonians calling it the most beautiful city in the world, 86% love its green spaces, and 85% give top marks to their wellbeing.

7. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City fuses Aztec heritage, contemporary art and a world-class food scene in one vibrant package. Wander the Templo Mayor, admire Frida Kahlo’s works across three museums, sample cuisines from Asian to authentic Mexican all within a single neighbourhood, then explore nightlife hotspots from Álvaro Obregón and La Roma to the world-renowned mixology bars of Condesa. Mexico City’s food scene remains one of its biggest accolades, with 80% of locals rating the city’s food scene highly, whilst 85% praise its independent shops. 

8. Bangkok

Bangkok thrives on beautiful chaos, where centuries-old temples like Wat Arun sit alongside bold brutalist towers, and a clean, high-tech Skytrain network makes the city surprisingly easy to navigate. From legendary street food in Yaowarat to creative hubs in Talat Noi and Song Wat, or a stroll through Lumphini Park’s brand new dog park, there’s always an eclectic sense of discovery in the ‘Land of Smiles’. The city is also undergoing a cultural glow-up: Thailand’s first international contemporary art gallery opened at the end of 2025, the Bangkok Art Biennale returns this October, and the iconic Tomorrowland festival lands in the region in December. The numbers speak for themselves as 81% of residents rate the food scene highly, 79% enjoy everyday life, and 67% of Gen Z feel a strong sense of community, underscoring why Bangkok remains a city full of energy and possibility.

9. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a city for every season: chase cherry blossoms in spring, dive into music festivals in summer, camp along the Han River in autumn, or hit nearby slopes in winter. Its booming baking scene, propelled by shows like Bake Your Dream and Culinary Class Wars, has turned the city into a global carb capital, with youth leading the charge on obsessive ‘bakery-hopping’. 2026 is a huge year for art in South Korea, with seven major cultural landmarks debuting, including the much-anticipated Centre Pompidou, which will grace the 63 Building this May. Locals feel good in Seoul with 79% of respondents saying their city makes them happy, and the South Korean city ranks joint-third among Time Out staff favourites.

10. Tokyo, Japan

Perpetual craze generator and patchwork of a million subcultures, Tokyo is a megacity everyone wants to visit. It’s home to the world's coolest neighbourhood, Jimbocho, more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else, a fashion scene that moves at bullet-train speed, and the first-ever permanent open-air Pokémon theme park. Cherry blossom season is just the beginning: summer brings traditional festivals like the 400-year-old Fukagawa Matsuri, while the city’s museums are rolling out one of the most plentiful exhibition slates in recent memory. Time Out staff voted Tokyo their joint-favourite city in 2026, and high marks from Gen Z highlight its appeal to young locals.

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said:

“Every year, we survey locals in cities all over the planet to create our definitive annual ranking, now in its tenth anniversary year. Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel is not only a global snapshot of city living, but a celebration of the fun, culture and community that defines urban life.

“For 2026, we expanded our survey to reach 150 cities and added questions that dig deeper into the everyday lives of locals, including new categories for love, romance and community feel. The result is a truly diverse and exciting list of destinations, deeply informed by local insight and Time Out expertise, with smaller and second cities slotted between the world’s major metropolises. Our Best Cities ranking is a comprehensive rundown of the most exciting places to live in and to explore in 2026.”

This year’s list is supported by global adventure travel company Intrepid Travel. Tim Bryant, an Intrepid trip leader and Melbourne local, adds:

“There’s no place quite like Melbourne – the coffee is crafted like religion, there’s loud street art everywhere and food from every corner of the globe from hole-in-the-wall dumpling bars to world-renowned restaurants.”

“Some of my favourite local spots include Little Lon Gin Distilling Co, located in the last remaining single-storey house in the CBD (Central Business District) that dates back to the 1870s. The building was once part of Melbourne’s historical Little Lon red-light district before being converted into a boutique gin distillery and tasting bar. Or, catching the train to the beachside suburb of Mordialloc for its many cafes and bars, and taking a walk along the boardwalk and pier for beautiful sunset views.”

The full Best Cities list can be found at timeout.com/travel/best-cities-2026

ENDS

For more information or interviews, please contact bestcities@timeout.com

Notes to Editors

Time Out’s annual list of the Best Cities in the World reflects what locals and Time Out experts consider the most vibrant and exciting cities. Travelers should always check their own government’s official travel guidance and follow local rules and restrictions before planning a trip, and follow all local rules and restrictions.

Methodology

For the 10th anniversary of the Best Cities series, Time Out spoke to more than 24,000 locals about their city, including Time Out’s regular readers. In 42 languages, they were asked about everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe.

A panel of more than 100 Time Out city experts from around the world were also asked to name the most exciting cities in the world right now. All data from 44 different criteria was combined to create a comprehensive ranking that reflects the very best cities in the world for 2026.

Top 25 Best Cities in the World

1. Melbourne, Australia
2. Shanghai, China
3. Edinburgh, United Kingdom
4. London, United Kingdom
5. New York, United States
6. Cape Town, South Africa
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Seoul, South Korea
10. Tokyo, Japan
11. Zurich, Switzerland
12. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
13. Copenhagen, Denmark
14. Sao Paolo, Brazil
15. Hong Kong, Hong Kong
16. Krakow, Poland
17. Porto, Portugal
18. Guadalajara, Mexico
19. Madrid, Spain
20. Valencia, Spain
21. Sydney, Australia
22. Paris, France
23. Singapore, Singapore
24. Marrakesh, Morocco
25. Hanoi, Vietnam

The full list of 50 Best Cities is available at timeout.com/travel/best-cities-2026

About Time Out Group

Time Out Group is a global brand that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city. Time Out launched in London in 1968 to help people discover the best of the city - today it is the only global brand dedicated to city life. Expert journalists curate and create content about the best things to Do, See and Eat across over 350 cities in over 50 countries and across a unique multi-platform model spanning both digital and physical channels. Time Out Market is the world's first editorially curated food and cultural market, bringing a city's best chefs, restaurateurs and unique cultural experiences together under one roof. There are currently Markets in 12 cities including Lisbon, New York and Dubai, with several new locations expected to open in 2026 and beyond, in addition to a pipeline of further locations in advanced discussions. Time Out Group PLC, listed on AIM, is headquartered in London (UK).

About Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for more than 35 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of country offices in 33 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognised for their commitment to transparency and ethical travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018, and their not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has disbursed more than £9.7million to more than 160 partners. In December 2025, Intrepid was named a Which? Recommended Provider for Escorted Tours. 

For more information, download the company’s 2024 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.