January 29, 2025, 5:57 am | Read time: 4 minutes
There are countless fascinating metropolises in the world, so it is often difficult to choose your next travel destination. However, a ranking by Time Out, which identifies the 50 best cities worldwide for the year 2025, offers some guidance.
The British magazine Time Out has named the best cities in the world. The ranking is based on a survey of more than 18,500 city dwellers around the world—the results were also combined with the assessment of internal and external experts. This year, the relevant categories for the best cities in the world were defined as going out, including food and drink, art, culture and museums, and nightlife. Satisfaction and the general atmosphere of the city also played a role. It’s about places that locals rate as particularly entertaining or beautiful and that are neither boring, overrated, nor overly expensive. Aspects such as walkability, public transport, and safety were therefore also taken into account.
Who took first place, and which German city made it into the ranking? TRAVELBOOK presents the winner, as well as the two cities following. 1st place might come as a surprise to some.
The Top 3 Best Cities in the World
1. Place: Cape Town, South Africa
In first place in the ranking is Cape Town, a metropolis that captivates with its impressive combination of nature, culture, and history. A total of 95 percent of Capetonians gave their hometown’s gastronomy a high rating, and a full 97 percent said their city made them happy. No wonder, given the variety of options that the South African capital offers. Whether beach goers, action fans, surfers and kiters, history buffs, or adrenaline junkies, Cape Town caters to them all. Whether it’s a stroll along the many beautiful beaches, a visit to the colorful houses in the Bo-Kaap, or watching a colony of African penguins—the possibilities here are endless.
2. Place: Bangkok, Thailand
In the ranking of the best cities in the world, Bangkok impresses across the board. Magnificent temples such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace reflect its rich cultural history, while the world-famous street food scene and modern skylines are just waiting to be discovered. Bangkok really comes into its own when the sun goes down. Then, you can experience the essence of the city in trendy bars and cool districts like Ekkamai. One reason to visit this place right now is the Bangkok Art Biennale, an international art exhibition that runs until February. The famous gastronomy scene in the Thai capital was particularly praised in the Time Out survey. 86 percent of locals describe the food in Bangkok as “good” or “fantastic”, and 84 percent said that eating out is affordable.
3. Place: New York City, USA
The vibrant US metropolis of New York comes in third place in the ranking. Reasons for this include the diverse gastronomy scene, the culture, the beauty and the satisfied residents. In the Time Out survey, 78 percent of residents also stated that they found New York particularly exciting. The art and culture scene in particular, which received an approval rating of 92 percent, attracts numerous visitors every year and is also a good reason for a trip to the “Big Apple” in 2025.
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The Entire Ranking of the Best Cities in the World
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Bangkok, Thailand
- New York, USA
- Melbourne, Australia
- London, United Kingdom
- New Orleans, USA
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Porto, Portugal
- Shanghai, China
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Chicago, USA
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong
- Sydney, Australia
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Barcelona, Spain
- Seville, Spain
- Paris, France
- Medellín, Colombia
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Madrid, Spain
- Berlin, Germany
- Dubai, UAE
- Singapore, Singapore
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Beijing, China
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Vienna, Austria
- Tokyo, Japan
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Perth, Australia
- Brighton, United Kingdom
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Brisbane, Australia
- Marseille, France
- Budapest, Hungary
- Los Angeles, USA
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Seoul, South Korea
- Valencia, Spain
- Montreal, Canada
- Bilbao, Spain
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Bristol, United Kingdom
- Mumbai, India
- Warsaw, Poland