The world’s 25 best cities for 2026 have been named — and the US makes the Top 5

It’s a “cultural behemoth” and the fifth best city in the world.

That’s the verdict on New York in the 2026 edition of Time Out’s annual 25 Best Cities list, though it marks a drop from third place in 2025.

The ranking was compiled from a survey of more than 24,000 locals, who were asked about their respective cities, along with the thoughts of more than 100 Time Out writers from around the world.

Time Out said: “New York is a cultural behemoth, blending the historic and the hyped with swagger.

“From pizza and world-class restaurants to public art and performances, like Romeo & Juliet returning to Shakespeare in the Park, New Yorkers strive for the best, and it’s those high standards that give the Big Apple its passion, permanence and perpetual cool.”

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The guide said tappable subway fares, faster Amtrak trains, and JFK Airport’s new international terminal, debuting in phases this year, added to the city’s appeal.

Time Out‘s Christina Izzo, who covers New York City, commented: “It’s a city that doesn’t chew you up and spit you out so much as it consumes your very being until no other place will ever quite satisfy the same.”

She picked out Mama Too as the best place to try one of the city’s famed pizza slices.

In Time Out’s survey, 93 percent of New Yorkers gave top marks to the city’s arts and culture, 91 percent endorsed the food scene, and 78 percent said New York is the most exciting city in the world.

Melbourne was named the No.1 city in the world, in part thanks to a “compelling” culinary scene, neighborhoods that “buzz with indie cinemas, rooftop bars and laneways lined with colorful murals,” and a strong sports offering, think Australian Open, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the AFL Grand Final and cricket’s Boxing Day Test.

Time Out added: “The survey results reinforced the hype: 94 percent of locals rate the food scene highly, 92 percent praise its arts and culture, and strong approval from the younger generations helped rank the Victorian capital the third-best city in the world for Gen Z.”

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Shanghai came second, with Time Out noting its “specialty cafés and inventive cocktail bars” and “cutting-edge” architecture.

Impressively, the UK notched two entries in the Top 5.

Edinburgh took bronze, with Time Out stating: “Edinburgh turns everyday life up a notch, blending historic grandeur with modern vibrancy. Built around a towering castle and crowned by an extinct volcano, Edinburgh boasts cherry-blossom-lined parks, cobbled alleyways whose stories stretch back to the medieval period, and distinctive neighbourhoods that offer hours of exploration — from Stockbridge for independent boutiques to Leith for trendy new restaurants.”

The other UK standout was London, in fourth, with Time Out describing how it “overflows with culture, cuisine and character at every corner.”

The guide added: “From free museums and galleries to world-class restaurants, pubs and theatres, there’s always something new to discover. This year sees hotly anticipated museum openings, such as the Museum of London in Smithfield, plus hyped restaurant launches and a world-beating day festival season landing in the summer.

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“Londoners surveyed by Time Out love the city: 99 percent applaud the arts and culture, 96 percent sing the praises of the food scene, and 94 percent value its green spaces.”

The rest of the top ten comprises Cape Town (sixth), Mexico City (seventh), Bangkok (eighth), Seoul (ninth), and Tokyo (10th).

Notably absences from this year’s list include New Orleans, which came sixth last year, and Seville, Spain, which came 18th in 2025.

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, described the ranking as “a celebration of the fun, culture and community that defines urban life.”

Top 25 Best Cities in the World