Taipei has just been named the best city in Asia for arts and culture

Calling all museum hoppers, gallery crawlers and bookstore romantics: Taipei has just been named the best city in Asia for arts and culture in 2026. 

The Taiwanese capital landed at No. 11 globally in Time Out’s annual ranking of the world’s best cities for culture, making it the highest-ranked Asian city on the list. The ranking was based on a survey of more than 24,000 people across over 150 cities, alongside votes from Time Out editors and cultural experts worldwide.

What pushed Taipei ahead? According to locals, it’s the city’s rare balance of old and new. One moment, you’re catching a traditional Taiwanese opera performance or wandering through centuries of history at the National Palace Museum. The next, you’re stepping into experimental theatre spaces, socially conscious exhibitions or politically charged literary talks in independent cafés.

Taipei also stood out for affordability, scoring the highest on the global list for budget-friendly culture. Locals gave particular praise to the city’s literary scene and independent bookshops, proving you do not need London-level prices to have a world-class arts ecosystem. The city is also investing beyond galleries and museums. Taiwan recently unveiled plans for more urban forests and greener pedestrian-friendly streets aimed at making cities like Taipei cooler and easier to walk during summer, adding another layer to the capital’s appeal for travellers exploring on foot.

Other Asian cities that made the global top 20 include Beijing at No. 17, Jaipur at No. 18 and Chiang Mai at No. 19.

Globally, London took the top spot, followed by Paris and New York City.

The world’s best cities for arts and culture in 2026: 

1. London
2. Paris
3. New York City
4. Berlin
5. Cape Town
6. Melbourne
7. São Paulo
8. Madrid
9. Florence
10. Kraków
11. Taipei
12. Marrakech
13. Copenhagen
14. Guadalajara
15. Athens
16. Cairo
17. Beijing
18. Jaipur
19. Chiang Mai
20. Lisbon

Read the full ranking on here.