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Your twenties are for exploring. They’re for trying new experiences, meeting new people, picking up new hobbies and, if you’re able, for living in different cities. But before you move somewhere new, keep in mind that their are some cities far better suited to twenty-somethings than others. The best ones offer flourishing nightlife, affordable things to do, a thriving sense of community and, since Gen Z has been dubbed ‘Generation Active’, good walkability and access to nature.
So, all those things considered, we’ve put together Time Out’s Best Cities for Gen Z with Intrepid Travel. Our editors compiled the list by narrowing the results from our world’s best cities survey down to the responses of those under 30, then ranking the highest-scoring cities in each country.
For the UK, that highest-scoring city wasn’t London, it wasn’t Manchester and it wasn’t Bristol. It was... Edinburgh. The Scottish capital came fourth on our list (after Tokyo, Porto and Melbourne), with 90 percent of Gen Z respondents there telling us that they’re happier there than they have been anywhere else.
Edinburgh local and Time Out contributor Chiara Wilkinson said: ‘There are plenty of reasons why Edinburgh is an extremely liveable city – its green space, walkability, excellent restaurants and world-class cultural offering – but for Gen Z specifically, its unique nightlife scene makes it a standout.’
Along the Cowgate you’ll find a parade of underground clubs and live music venues, from Sneaky Pete’s to The Bongo Club to La Belle Angele. On the other side of Prince’s Street in there’s Leith Arches, which hosts runs an eclectic programme of events and New Town’s Why Not Nightclub, which offers a ‘glossier alternative’.
Chiara added that Gen Zers can make the most of the endless cultural offerings in Edinburgh each August as the Edinburgh International Festival offers 50 percent off tickets for under-18s and 30 percent off for under-30s.
When considering their fellow Edinburgh residents, 94 percent of Gen Z locals said that the people in the city seemed positive. Wellness and quality of life there also scored highly, with 84 percent of respondents telling Time Out that theirs is good. Seventy-nine percent agreed that they would describe Edinburgh as beautiful and 55 percent said they would describe it as a safe place to live, making it the safest city in our top 20.
The world’s best cities for Gen Z to live in – according to Gen Z.
📍 Time Out’s ultimate guide to what to do in Edinburgh.
ICYMI: The best pubs in the UK 2026, mapped.
Plus: One of Europe’s best islands for a road trip is in the UK.
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