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How connected do you feel to your city? Do you find joy in everyday life? Does your city make you happy?
These questions are at the heart of Time Out’s annual ranking of the world’s best cities, based on responses from more than 24,000 locals worldwide.
To determine the happiest cities in the world in 2026, Time Out surveyed locals about how they experience daily life in their cities. Urbanites were asked whether their city makes them happy, whether they feel happier there than in other places they’ve lived or visited, whether people around them seem positive, whether they find joy in everyday experiences, and whether their city’s overall sense of happiness has grown in recent years.
The responses were analyzed to identify the cities with the highest levels of happiness among residents. To ensure a global representation, only the highest-ranked city from each country was included in the final list of 20 cities and Montreal made the coveted list.
What is the world's happiest city?
Bath in the United Kingdom was named the happiest city in the world in 2026.
The historic English city received overwhelmingly positive ratings, with 93 per cent of residents saying their city makes them happy. Locals also praised Bath for its sense of community, access to nature and everyday quality of life. Known for its Roman heritage, elegant Georgian architecture and surrounding countryside, Bath ranked especially highly for green spaces and opportunities to connect with others.
What are the 20 happiest cities in the world?
The 20 happiest cities in the world in 2026 are as follows:
- Bath, United Kingdom
- Panama City, Panama
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Medellín, Colombia
- Krakow, Poland
- Jaipur, India
- Chicago, United States
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Shanghai, China
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Montreal, Canada
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Valencia, Spain
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Melbourne, Australia
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Hamburg, Germany
- Porto, Portugal
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
What is the happiest city in Canada 2026?
Montreal ranked 11th among the happiest cities in the world in 2026, making it the only Canadian city to appear on the list.
What makes a city a truly great place to live? From access to culture and green spaces to welcoming neighbourhoods, vibrant streets, food, nightlife and a strong sense of community, countless factors shape how people experience a city.
Montreal’s combination of all of these things, plus a hopping social scene, helped it stand out among cities around the globe.
Check out: Best hiking and parks in and around Montreal
From its renowned food scene (Montreal is home to one of the best burgers in the world) and arts community to its walkable streets and diverse neighbourhoods, Montreal continues to rank as one of the world’s most appealing urban destinations.
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