What makes a city the best in the world? A recent report ranks international cities based on quality of life, culture, cuisine, and urban vibrancy, and highlights ten cities that are currently particularly inspiring.
Will these cities shape the world of tomorrow? The latest report, World’s Best Cities 2026, takes a close look at international cities and evaluates them not only based on economic and infrastructure factors, but also on culture, cuisine, recreational opportunities, and quality of life.
Based on the responses of more than 21,000 survey participants from 31 countries, a ranking of the most attractive cities was compiled. Falstaff TRAVEL presents the winners.
For the eleventh consecutive year, London tops the World’s Best Cities 2026 ranking. According to the report, the British capital impresses with its blend of tradition, innovation, and international appeal. New luxury destinations such as Raffles London at The OWO are setting the tone, while neighborhoods like Camden and Canary Wharf are providing fresh momentum through creative concepts and urban transformation. Add to that an outstanding restaurant scene, world-famous landmarks, and a vibrant cultural scene, all of which continue to make London one of the world’s most influential cities.
According to the ranking, the combination of economic strength, cultural vitality, and continuous renewal makes the metropolis the second-best city in the world. New York is building, investing, and transforming at a pace that is unique worldwide.
Strong demand for housing, multibillion-dollar projects such as the modernization of JFK Airport, and new infrastructure initiatives are strengthening the city's role as a global hub. New museum projects, a vibrant theater and music scene, and the diversity of the city’s five boroughs ensure that the city holds a top spot. With major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and long-term urban development projects, New York is also looking to the future with optimism.
Paris remains the great urban icon; elegant, steeped in tradition, and yet surprisingly versatile. After the 2024 Olympic Games, the city will be greener and more livable: more pedestrian zones, an extensive network of bike paths, and less car traffic will shape the new cityscape. At the same time, Paris reaffirms its role as a cultural and culinary capital. Major projects such as the renovation of the Louvre, new museum initiatives, and an outstanding culinary scene are enhancing the city's international appeal. By investing in innovation, technology, and sustainable development, the capital is also looking confidently toward the future, and thus remains one of the best cities in the world.
Tokyo is experiencing a new boom; nearly 37 million international visitors came to the Japanese capital in 2024, followed by more record-breaking months in 2025. According to the authors of the study, the city stands out for its unique blend of innovation, culture, and urban quality of life. At the same time, Tokyo is reinventing itself. While neighborhoods like Shibuya are being modernized and the “Tokyo Sky Corridor” is being planned as a green elevated promenade, the luxury and cultural scenes continue to grow. New venues such as “Janu Tokyo” are strengthening Tokyo’s reputation as a global capital of design, cuisine, and future technologies.
After summers of record-breaking temperatures, Madrid is showing how a city of over a million people can adapt to climate change. The focus is on the Bosque Metropolitano: A new green belt surrounding the capital, featuring hundreds of thousands of trees, is intended to provide more shade, cleaner air, and a new urban climate. This development is complemented by the expansion of the bike path network and one of the largest fleets of electric buses in Europe. But Madrid isn't just looking out into the countryside, it's also looking ahead, with Madrid Nuevo Norte, one of Europe's largest urban development projects taking shape, featuring new apartments, offices, and a modern transportation hub.
Singapore proves that a modern metropolis can be both innovative and green. According to the study, the city ranks among the world’s highest in terms of quality of life and is simultaneously continuing to develop as a hub for technology, sustainability, and forward-thinking architecture. While new luxury and cultural destinations are revitalizing the neighborhoods, projects such as the expansion of Marina Bay Sands and the Great Southern Waterfront are creating new urban spaces. The green vision is also taking shape; an extensive network of paths, vertical gardens, and numerous green spaces define the cityscape. With investments worth billions in technology, infrastructure, and international companies, Singapore is solidifying its role as a global economic hub.
In 2025, Rome was in the spotlight as the Holy Year; millions of pilgrims and visitors once again made the Eternal City the focus of global attention. To mark the anniversary, numerous squares, streets, and landmarks were renovated, including the reopening of the Largo di Torre Argentina archaeological site and new exhibitions featuring masterpieces of art history. At the same time, the hotel scene is experiencing a luxury boom, with new establishments opening in historic buildings. The city is also making strides in infrastructure. New metro stations, urban development projects, and more car-free zones are intended to make Rome ready for the future, without losing its unique character.
The city of superlatives continues to grow. Dubai International Airport set a new record in 2024 with 92.3 million passengers, while the expansion of Al Maktoum International is already ushering in the next generation of global mobility. Dubai is also embracing new concepts within the city itself; with the 20-Minute City initiative and the expansion of the metro and bike paths, the metropolis aims to become a more livable and better-connected place in the future. At the same time, spectacular architectural projects, new luxury hotels, and shopping destinations continue to shape the cityscape. Record investments in real estate, technology, and international companies underscore Dubai's role as a global economic and lifestyle hub.
With its vibrant subculture, comparatively high quality of life, and strong creative and scientific ecosystem, Berlin ranks just outside the top 10 best cities in the world. According to the authors of the study, new cultural venues such as the planned Berlin modern art museum, as well as the UNESCO designation of techno culture, are enhancing the capital’s international appeal. At the same time, Berlin continues to evolve as a hub for business and innovation; projects such as the conversion of the former Tegel Airport into the Urban Tech Republic and the new Schumacher Quartier are creating forward-looking spaces for housing, research, and sustainable technologies.
With the completion of the Christ Tower of the Sagrada Família in 2026, Antoni Gaudí’s decades-long vision was realized. The city's landmark is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also marks the completion of one of the world's most extraordinary construction projects. At the same time, Barcelona is working to combine its international appeal with a better quality of life for its residents. New car-free zones and stricter rules for vacation rentals are intended to make the growing tourism industry more sustainable. Investments in AI, biotechnology, and digital infrastructure are strengthening Barcelona's role as a European hub for technology and creativity.
