Time Out has revealed the world’s 50 best cities for 2025, and six of the cities belong in the UK — including one which has been named as the best city in Europe
Six UK cities have appeared on Time Out’s list if the top 50 cities worldwide, with one named the best in Europe.
Despite Cape Town securing the top spot for the world’s best city, six UK cities have managed to secure places on the list.
London made it into the top five, securing the fifth spot and being named as the best city in Europe. Time Out praised the city for its vibrant cuisine, iconic pubs, shopping and diverse community. In addition, the British capital was voted the most-loved city by Time Out experts, and locals recognised it as the most diverse and inclusive.
The publication also noted how London’s nightlife scene is booming once again, thanks to exciting venues like Hoxton’s pub-turned-club Lion and Lamb, Outernet’s Here, and Hackney Wick’s Colour Factory, plus new queer bars like La Camionera and The Divine.
Five other UK cities followed with Edinburgh in 13th, Brighton in 34th, Glasgow in 36th, Belfast in 47th and Bristol placing 48th.
Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said: “Our annual list of Time Out’s Best Cities in the World right now proves that if you want to know what makes a city truly great, ask a local. Thousands of city-dwellers worldwide responded to our survey this year, sharing their opinion on everything from nightlife and food to public transport, green spaces and friendliness. Their collective insights, coupled with the opinions and expertise of Time Out experts around the globe, allow us to create a definitive ranking of the best cities in the world right now.
“From affordability to access to nature, liveability was a key factor in our survey this year. This list not only showcases the world’s most exciting cities to visit in 2025, where world-class culture, great food and exciting nightlife can be found on every corner, but also reflects the places where locals feel most at home.”
Time Out used a panel of more than 100 city experts, drawn from Time Out’s global network, to name the most exciting cities in the world right now. Time Out then combined all the data – a total of 44 different criteria – to rank the best cities in the world for 2025.
Full list of Time Out’s world best 50 cities:
1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Bangkok, Thailand
3. New York, USA
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. London, UK
6. New Orleans, USA
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Porto, Portugal
9. Shanghai, China
10. Copenhagen, Denmark
11. Chicago, USA
12. Lisbon, Portugal
13. Edinburgh, UK
14. Hong Kong
15. Sydney, Australia
16. Amsterdam, Netherlands
17. Barcelona, Spain
18. Seville, Spain
19. Paris, France
20. Medellín, Columbia
21. Hanoi, Vietnam
22. Madrid, Spain
23. Berlin, Germany
24. Dubai, UAE
25. Singapore
26. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
27. Beijing, China
28. Chiang Mai, Thailand
29. Jakarta, Indonesia
30. Vienna, Austria
31. Tokyo, Japan
32. Marrakech, Morocco
33. Perth, Australia
34. Brighton, UK
35. Prague, Czech Republic
36. Glasgow, UK
37. Brisbane, Australia
38. Marseille, France
39. Budapest, Hungary
40. Los Angeles, USA
41. Lagos, Nigeria
42. Seoul, South Korea
43. Valencia, Spain
44. Montreal, Canada
45. Bilbao, Spain
46. Abu Dhabi, UAE
47. Belfast, UK
48. Bristol, UK
49. Mumbai, India
50. Warsaw, Poland