The Best Cities in the World: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
Unforgettable food. Cutting-edge design. Immersive experiences. These are some of your top criteria for judging what makes a quality hotel—not to mention a worthy resort, cruise, spa, or island. In tallying up the 575,048 votes cast in our 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, we were struck by both your eagerness to embrace the new and your reverence for tried-and-true classics. Your favorite hotel in the five boroughs is the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, but you also can’t stop returning to storied French Polynesian resort The Brando. You’ve jetted through the sprawling Istanbul International Airport, booked intrepid sailings to Antarctica, and fallen in love with historic yet innovative cities like Copenhagen. Read on to start planning your next round of travels—these are the best cities in the world, as voted by our readers.
View the Readers’ Choice Award winners for the best cities in the United States here.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
From historical sites to local art, signature dishes to sun-washed beaches, there’s something for everyone to love among these small international cities.
Unsplash10. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik saw a massive spike in tourism after being featured as a filming location in Game of Thrones—though, unlike the show’s fizzling series finale, the city is never a disappointment. Wander the limestone streets and walk along the ancient city walls, or take a short ferry ride to the island of Lokrum. Here, you can hike through the botanical garden, catch a glimpse of the wild peacocks, and climb to the top of an abandoned 11th-century monastery for stunning panoramic views.
Ascent/PKS Media Inc./Getty9. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is often associated with cruise ships, crowded beaches, and bars hosting rowdy groups of spring breakers—but there’s so much more to this Pacific coast town than its immediate associations. Though Old Town certainly has its charms (think winding cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillea), it’s once you venture a bit off the touristed path that you’ll really discover the treasures of this city. Take a quick boat ride to Ocean Grill, an open-air, reservations-only lunch spot built into a rocky cove and serving up grilled lobster. Or head to Yelapa Beach—another only-accessible-by-boat gem—to fill up on fish tacos and spend the afternoon lounging in a hammock on the beach.
David Soanes/Getty8. Galway, Ireland
A popular home base for day trips to the Aran Islands or the Cliffs of Moher, Galway is a worthy destination in its own right. The bustling university town in Western Ireland blends the historic—you’ll see remnants of medieval stone walls weaving through downtown—with the contemporary, and its thriving art and music communities earned the city the title of European Capital of Culture in 2020. Its vibrant food scene spans from pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants, with plenty of fresh seafood thanks to the city’s location between the River Corrib and Galway Bay, and its wide range of lodging options includes cozy B&Bs and the avant-garde g Hotel and Spa.
Woody Van Der Straeten/Unsplash7. Porto, Portugal
Porto, sometimes called Oporto, is a known destination for wine connoisseurs, but there’s much more to this seaside hub than its sweet port wine. The modern and traditional meet in Portugal's most creative city, where chefs, artists, and designers are bringing a new spirit to its old-world appeal. That blend of the modern and traditional is deliciously personified at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, Porto’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, where sea urchin crème brûlée is served with floor-to-ceiling ocean views in a building designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.
Markus Thoenen/Getty6. Lucerne, Switzerland
With its covered bridges, turreted buildings, and colorful Old Town, Lucerne is straight from the pages of a Swiss fairytale. Thanks in large part to its location on the shores of Lake Lucerne, the city is also a popular departure point for the Swiss Alps, which are visible from the town. Walk the city’s famed Kapellbrücke—the oldest covered bridge in Europe—and grab a home-brewed beer nearby at Rathaus Brauerei when finished. Then rest up at Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, a Condé Nast Traveler Hot List winner that stuns with art nouveau architecture and lake views from every single room.
Patrick Daxenbichler/Getty5. Salzburg, Austria
Made famous by Mozart—and the Von Trapps—classic Salzburg sits divided by the Salzach River: Its pedestrian Old City lines its left bank, and the (slightly) newer side is on the right. Whichever side you choose, you’ll be greeted by Baroque architecture and mountain vistas around every turn, with plenty of charming cafes and beer halls in between. While the city shines all year round, there’s arguably no better time to visit than during the winter holidays. The Christkindlmarkt—held in the shadow of the Salzburg Cathedral—threatens to upstage anything going on in Germany, while Hotel Goldener Hirsch is the coziest place imaginable to curl up with gingerbread cookies and watch the snow fall over Old Town.
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty4. Florence, Italy
Though Rome is Italy’s much-beloved capital and Milan has serious cosmopolitan clout, Florence remains unrivaled in history, art, and architecture (its cuisine doesn’t hurt, either). In addition to being the birthplace of the Renaissance, the Firenze of recent years has had a modern makeover: Book a workshop with a master perfumer—and get a crash course in the history of perfume-making—at Aquaflor Firenze, chart the evolution of one of Italy’s biggest fashion juggernauts at Gucci Garden, or take in modern art at La Strozzina, Florence’s center for contemporary culture. Wherever the day takes you, save room for a panino al lampredotto—this stewed tripe sandwich is a Florence must.
Mint Images/Getty3. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Four hours northwest of Mexico City is the jewel of San Miguel de Allende, which has made this list for five years in a row now. A hub for expat artists, this highland city is known for its Spanish Colonial architecture and colorful facades. You could spend hours browsing the galleries and pop-up shops at Fábrica La Aurora, a former textile factory that is now home to local artisans. The Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is a hidden oasis in the heart of the city, with grand rooms featuring hand-carved furnishings and 360-degree views of the skyline from the rooftop tapas bar. For dinner, book the chef’s table at Aperi for one of the best dining experiences in the city, full of fresh flavors from the region.
Getty2. San Sebastián, Spain
San Sebastián has everything you could want from a seaside resort town—especially if you arrive hungry. Pintxo (or “small snack”) bar hopping is commonplace in Basque country, and you’ll find no shortage of options in central Parte Vieja. During the day, head to Playa de la Concha to lounge on the beach or take in surfer culture in Gros. A favorite vacation spot of Queen Maria Cristina in the late 1800s, San Sebastián has retained much of its splendor, which you’ll find in the breathtaking views from the top of Monte Igueldo.
Getty1. Victoria, Canada
A popular day trip from Vancouver, British Columbia’s capital city well deserves a visit of its own. Arrive via one of the world’s most scenic ferry rides across Swartz Bay and check in to the bucket list-worthy Fairmont Empress, where the Fairmont Gold rooms include access to a private waterfront lounge. With a reputation as the most British town in Canada, most restaurants and hotels offer a proper high tea. Check out the Venus Sophia, which offers baked goods. If you’re seeking a more rural escape, disconnect in the ancient forests with a road trip on Vancouver Island.
Your favorite large international cities include destinations beloved for their food and wine, architecture and art. Some are classic travel spots that many have visited multiple times, while others are slightly less-touristed—but all equally deserve your attention.
Marcin Nowak/Unsplash10. London
Though its double-decker buses, iconic red phone booths, and pub culture remain, London has seen many changes in recent years. After checking out the classics, explore burgeoning London by shopping your way through Coal Drops Yard in the up-and-coming Kings Cross; catching a show at Almeida, a performance venue housed in a former train station in Islington; and seeing how many of the city’s best restaurants you can tick off your list in one visit.
Laurène Tinel/Tourisme Montréal9. Montreal
Quebec’s biggest—and most cosmopolitan—city has been speaking with a French accent since 1535, when explorer Jacques Cartier arrived in these parts. Old Montreal still evokes those bygone days with its quaint cobblestone streets and Gothic-Revival cathedral, but the city also has a rebellious, forward-thinking streak, which you can find in its contemporary art museums, eclectic bars, and design-forward hotels. Unsurprisingly for a city with such close cultural ties to Paris, what really sets Montreal apart are its dynamic restaurants, which run the gamut from classic brasseries to no-frills wine bars to internationally renowned temples like Joe Beef and Au Pied de Cochon.
Jacob Buchhave/Unsplash8. Copenhagen
A burgeoning beer culture, some of the world’s best restaurants (don’t worry, Noma was never the only option), royal history, and dedicated pedestrian- and cycle-friendly zones all help make Copenhagen a capital of Nordic cool. The city is routinely ranked one of the world’s most expensive, but some of the capital’s best activities—marveling at Christiansborg Palace, walking the harborside promenade—cost nothing at all. And given the recent reopening of architect Kaare Klint’s Designmuseum Danmark and much-anticipated unveiling of the Opera Bark on the waterfront, we dare say there’s never been a better time to visit the Danish capital.
Alex Azabache/Pexels7. Madrid
The magic of Madrid can be felt the second your feet hit the ground—and it can be felt everywhere, from tables overflowing with tapas to moody clubs thumping with flamenco beats. This magic is perhaps best captured on foot, strolling through the streets, stopping in a museum, or sitting for a drink at Cervecería Alemana, a historic bar once frequented by Ava Gardner and Ernest Hemingway. With a neverending roster of new hotels (book a room at The Madrid EDITION) and restaurants, there’s no way you’ll be able to fit everything in one visit—but you’ll already be dreaming about your next trip before your departure plane leaves the tarmac.
Kyle Thacker/Unsplash6. Vancouver
Seaport Vancouver has a competitive and creative arts scene, rugged natural beauty, and no shortage of things to do. As one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities, it’s also one of the country’s best food cities: After you’ve taken a cable car up Grouse Mountain, return to the city for Indian fare at Vij’s, rustic Italian dishes at Savio Volpe, or modern spins on Chinese classics at Bao Bei. There’s something wonderful about visiting a city where you can be in the heart of a metropolis eating a five-star meal one day, and enjoying the skyline from the seat of a kayak the next day.
Josh Hild/Pexels5. Vienna
Artistic, exquisite, and largely shaped by its musical and intellectual foundations, Austria’s capital and largest city is packed with culture. There’s perhaps no better place in the world for lovers of classical music—the city nurtured the talents of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, after all—and visitors can find a constant string of performances at the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein all year long. After treating your ears, make time to get a figurative taste of royalty at Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ former summer residence, and get an actual taste of Sachertorte, a chocolate cake that is one of the city’s culinary specialties. Just be sure to ask for it mit schlaag (with cream).
Crystal Clear/Unsplash4. Cape Town
Few cities can match the high drama of Cape Town’s skyline, where rugged Table Mountain meets the great white shark–filled waters of the Atlantic, and where colonial-era grand dames (like the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel) share space with cutting-edge new designs (including Thomas Heatherwick’s Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa). You can spend your days luxuriating on the Mother City’s beaches or sipping chenin blanc at one of the many area wineries, but be sure to leave some time to contend with the place’s complicated history, by touring a township or visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.
Kate Trifo/Unsplash3. Sydney
Australia’s biggest city is an ideal getaway no matter the season. In the summer (remember, that’s our winter), enjoy some al fresco dining and soak up the sun at Bondi, Manly, and Redleaf beaches. In the cooler months, sip on flat whites at one of the city’s many phenomenal coffee shops and catch a show at the Sydney Opera House or Bangarra Dance Theatre. (You can also get a taste of the capital’s entire arts and culture calendar during Vivid Sydney, typically held between May and June.) Whatever the season, get spectacular 360-degree views of the city from Sydney Tower Eye’s glass viewing platform.
Will Truettner/Unsplash2. Singapore
We placed Singapore among the best places to visit back in 2019, and Traveler readers have resoundingly agreed since then. The city climbed to the number one spot (from fourth) in 2022, and has now retained the title for a second time. Thanks to direct flights from New York to Singapore on its namesake airline, this bustling destination is way more than a stopover. It has a growing contemporary art scene, new hotels popping up (seemingly every eight minutes) and a commitment to start-ups and innovation (just see the Supertree Grove, and such innovations as greenifying the city-state). All of this is to say, if you visited once before, you may not even recognize it now. Want to relax after a day of exploring? Choose from 1,000 types of gin at Atlas bar, or check into Marina Bay Sands so you have access to that top-of-the-world infinity pool you've heard so much about. Come evening, dig into the city’s food culture—you can do a multi-country food crawl without ever leaving the hawker center.
Jezael Melgoza/Unsplash1. Tokyo
A regular on our best cities list, Tokyo continues to thrill with its contradictions: ultra-modern, neon skyscrapers and tranquil temples, unmatchable street style, and centuries-old etiquette. Like a fever dream you don't want to wake up from, this Japanese capital also has more Michelin stars than any other place on earth, and is—no surprise—one of the world’s best food destinations. For just a taste of what the city can offer, pull up a stool and dig deep into a bowl of inventive ramen at Kikanbo, or sample rare Japanese whiskey at Bar Ben Fiddich. Or simply let us plan your first visit for you.