Revealed: the most (and least) attractive cities in the UK

For Valentine’s Day 2026, Time Out has set out on a mission to discover what romantic life is like for city dwellers all over the globe. We ask urbanites about all the most important aspects of romance in their cities, from how often they go dates to the regularity with which they see someone they think is attractive on the street. 

With V Day coming up fast, we wanted find out which city has the best looking locals of them all. According to our research, people in Belfast come across someone they find attractive more often than anyone else in the UK. 

RECOMMENDED: 15 of the UK’s most romantic getaways.  

The city’s locals told us that they see a good-looking person an average of 13.11 times per month – roughly equal to every other day. Just over 70 percent of Belfast-based respondents said that they spot someone attractive at least once a week. 

When you pair such a handsome population with the famous charm of the Irish, it’s unsurprising that Belfast is also the city where locals flirt the most. The average number of times that folk in Belfast flirt with someone each month is 6.82. That said, it seems that they’re not having as much sex as people in Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Brighton or Bristol. They also go on less dates per month than those in Cambridge, Glasgow and Bath. 

Belfast’s overall spicy score, which is based on factors like how often locals have a night out that leads to romance and how often they go on dates, is 7.11 out of 10. That makes it the second spiciest city in the UK, just below Cambridge. 

Now, we know what you’re thinking: which UK city is the least attractive of them all? Well, according to our survey responses, that would be Bath. People there told us that they only see a good looking person an average of 7.9 times each month, equivalent to just twice a week. 

The top 10 most attractive cities in the UK, according to Time Out’s survey 

1. Belfast
2. Cambridge
3. Newcastle
4. London
5. Glasgow
6. Manchester
7. Edinburgh
8. Liverpool
9. Birmingham
10. Brighton 

Seen someone you fancy in Belfast? Take them on a hot date to one of our top restaurants in the city this Valentine’s Day. The Muddler’s Club and Roam are particularly good spots if you’re out to impress. 

More from Norn Iron: Belfast is hosting the worlds biggest Irish music festival this year. 

Plus: One of Northern Ireland’s greatest museums is getting a £50 million revamp. 

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