Antti Helin

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

Syksy 2025 HelsingissäKesä on ohi, ja hetken ajan Helsinki hehkuu punaisen ja kullan sävyissä, kunnes lehdet putoavat ja lokakuu vetää harmaan hunnun kaupungin ylle.  Mutta älä silti vielä lukkiudu kotiisi. Palkintona on kaupunki aidoimmillaan, kasvot ilman meikkiä. Ja kun rakastut Helsinkiin myös silloin, tiedät löytäneesi sielunkumppanisi.  Syksy on hyvää aikaa lämmitellä kohtalotovereiden kanssa yleisissä saunoissa ja hakeutua sateelta suojaan Helsingin parhaisiin museoihin. Ja jos oikein sataa, niin eihän sille voi kuin nauraa, mieluiten jossain Helsingin komediaklubeista. Jos haluat kokea kaupungin matkailijan silmin, monet Helsingin nähtävyyksistä voit kiertää kätevästi Hop-On Hop-Off -bussin kyydissä.