Top 10 best cities in the world
And yes… a South African city did make the list.
Media giant and travel authority Time Out has released its annual list of the best cities in the world.
The Best Cities 2026 list features a mix of classic favourites and newcomers. To compile it, they surveyed 24,000 people living in 150 cities across the globe.
They did not just look at the obvious factors like the food scene, nightlife, shopping and museums; they also wanted to understand what it is actually like to live there day to day.
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The survey measured everything from happiness and affordability to overall quality of life. This year, however, they took things a step further.
“In order to dig deeper into the everyday lives of locals, this year we expanded our survey to cover aspects like love, romance and community feel,” Time Out said.
To ensure the rankings were accurate, Time Out combined public feedback with insights from more than 100 city experts. They then checked in with their global network of local writers to find out exactly why these cities are worth your time right now.
The Top 10 Cities for 2026:
1. Melbourne, Australia
Coming in at number one, Australia’s “second city” is a global leader in food and drink. It is the perfect spot for those who want urban energy right on nature’s doorstep.
2. Shanghai, China
This massive financial centre of 25 million people is a total rush to visit. Beyond the city lights, it is famous as the gateway to China’s incredible high-speed rail system.
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3. Edinburgh, Scotland
Built around an extinct volcano, Edinburgh is packed with character. You get the grit of the medieval Old Town streets, perfectly balanced by the wide, grand boulevards of the 18th-century New Town. (And yes, there really is a volcano right there.)
4. London, England
5. New York, USA
6. Cape Town, South Africa
Some local pride for South Africans, Cape Town took the number six spot globally.
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Seoul, South Korea
10. Tokyo, Japan
Time Out South Africa
Are you looking for things to do in and across South Africa's major cities? Time Out South Africa provides curated guides for food, drinks, culture and events in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
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The platform serves as a digital guide to top local experiences, including content on the best restaurants, things to do and nightlife, alongside a Time Out Market in Cape Town.
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Image: Wikipedia