chloedickensonLast Updated on 2nd October 2023
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Whenever someone asks me what my favourite type of holiday is, I’ll almost certainly give a different answer each time. Sometimes it’s mountains, sometimes it’s islands and beaches and sometimes it’s cosy cabins in a snowy destination. Most of the time though, you can probably expect my answer to be ‘city’.
City breaks are probably my favourite type of holiday and due to my love affair with places like New York City, Prague, Porto, Kuala Lumpur and more, it’s fair to say that there are many cities in the world that have my whole heart.
When I thought about writing this post about the best cities in the world, I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough content to fill an entire post as while I’ve been lucky to explore many incredible cities around the world, I haven’t actually been to them all. So, I enlisted some help from fellow bloggers, travellers, family members and friends to help curate this incredible list of the best cities in the world. As I travel more and explore more places around the world, I’ll also be sure to continue updating this post every time I visit a city that I fall in love with.
I’d also love it if you guys contributed to this list too, so if you have any cities to add to this list, let me know in the comments and I’ll update it as we go!
New York City – best cities in the world
I simply had to start this post about the best cities in the world with my favourite city in the entire world; New York City. It’s a place that feels like home to me and if there’s one place in the whole world that I could spend an extended period of time in, it would be New York.
I’ve been obsessed with New York ever since I was around eight years old, long before I’d actually even been there and it’s a place that I will happily continue visiting for the rest of my life. It’s been my dream to live in New York for as long as I can remember and the day that happens, I think I’ll be pinching myself for the rest of my life!
The Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center is my favourite place on this planet and I genuinely think about this city at least once a day. I know that many people cite it as a typical tourist trap and while it certainly is in many ways, it’s also a place that takes up a huge part of my heart and it’s a city that I think everyone should visit at least once.
Some of my favourite things to do in New York include:
- Go to the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center
- Cruise around the Statue of Liberty
- Wander through Central Park (and go ice skating in the park in winter!)
Check out my New York City guides here.
York
While my beloved home city of York might not be quite as popular as many other UK cities such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester , for example, it is one of the best cities in the UK and indeed in the world, in my opinion.
This remarkable ancient city is positively teeming with fascinating historic tales and a wander around the city’s mysterious walls or a trip to the magnificent York Minster will enlighten you on York’s fabulous and enigmatic past. York is also home to some truly awesome restaurants, including my absolute favourite Cosy Club, Ambiente, Cut and Craft and many more.
Some of my favourite things to do in York include:
- Having afternoon tea at Betty’s
- Taking a cruise along the river
- Visiting the impressive York Minster
Check out my York guides here.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is another UK city that I’m absolutely obsessed with. This stunning Scottish capital city feels like a magical dream, especially when you wander around the castle grounds or explore the iconic Royal Mile.
The food in Edinburgh is also crazy good and it has an awesome nightlife scene to boot. The Queen’s official royal residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is a place in Edinburgh that you should definitely have on your itinerary and if you’re after somewhere awesome to eat, look no further than Makar’s Gourmet Mash Bar for a fancier meal or @Pizza for some of the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life!
If you have enough time, be sure to venture out of the city centre a little and head to Dean Village; one of the most picturesque places in the whole of the UK!
It seems that I’m not the only person to adore Edinburgh as Nat has tonnes to say about this beautiful Scottish city.
“Edinburgh is easily one of my favourite cities to visit. It’s small enough to be manageable, but there’s so much to see and do. You can easily walk around the city centre, exploring its history and museums, but if you want to go further out, there’s still plenty to see. I have been several times and always find something new. There are loads of tours that will help you discover the varied history, pubs with live music, great food, and outdoor places to explore.
I love just walking around the city, as there’s always something to see. Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of my favourite spots (but please don’t rub Bobby’s nose); there’s so much history there. For views of the city, Arthur’s Seat and Blackford Hill are worth the climbs. There are also plenty of walking tours in Edinburgh, and one you must do is the Literary Pub Crawl, it’s quite unique.
If you love an old pub, head to the Jolly Rodger, which is near the Writers’ Court, another one of my favourite places. The Writers’ museum is worth a look in as well if you have time. If you’re wanting some good Scottish music, I always try to find out where Graeme E Pearson is playing.”
Some of my favourite things to do in Edinburgh include:
- Visiting Edinburgh Castle
- Taking a ghost bus tour
- Wandering down the Royal Mile and Victoria Street
Check out my Edinburgh guides here.
Porto – best cities in the world
My first time in Porto in October 2020 was also my first time in Portugal ever and after just one week in the beautiful city of Porto, I instantly fell head over heels in love.
The people are tremendously lovely, the food is heavenly and the whole city has such a wonderful vibe to it. I’d happily live in Porto in a heartbeat…
When we were in Porto, we ate at a gorgeous restaurant called Tascö and it was undoubtedly the best dining experience I’ve had in my entire life. If there’s only one thing I can recommend to do in Porto, it has to be eating at Tascö!
Some of my favourite things to do in Porto include:
- Enjoy a wine tasting afternoon
- Stroll along the River Douro and head to Vila Nova De Gaia
- Have dinner at Tascö
Check out my Porto guides here.
Prague
Prague is always a city in Europe that I recommend to people when they’re looking for a winter city break destination, but it’s also a place that you could easily visit all year round.
You can’t miss seeing Prague Castle while you’re there and a stroll across Charles Bridge is an absolute must-do as well. The apartment we stayed at in Prague is also one of my favourite places I’ve ever stayed in and it’s a city that I think I could happily live in.
If you visit during November/December, be sure to check out the Christmas market in the town square as I’ve heard it’s one of the best in Europe!
Some of my favourite things to do in Prague include:
- Visit Prague Castle
- Explore the Old Town Square
- See the Dancing House
Check out my Prague guides here.
Budapest
Budapest was a place that I wanted to visit for many years before I actually went and when I eventually spent a long weekend there with Matt as a surprise for his birthday a few years ago, I fell in love with its arresting charm.
It’s a really affordable city in Europe so you don’t need to break the bank to have an incredible time there. The Hungarian Parliament building is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking buildings I’ve ever seen, especially when admired from the river and the Fisherman’s Bastion is not only a stunning building in itself, but it also offers stunning views of the city below from its perch on Buda Castle Hill.
Of course, the city is also famed for its thermal spas and baths and during our visit, we spent an afternoon at Gellért Baths where we relaxed in the varying temperatures of water for hours; this is a perfect way to relax after a busy morning exploring. If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Budapest, look no further than Comme Chez Soi; we had an extraordinary meal there, complete with the most heavenly chocolate brownie for dessert!
Some of my favourite things to do in Budapest include:
- Visiting the Gellért Baths
- Walking up the Citadella
- Taking a cruise along the river
Check out my Budapest guides here.
Paris
Paris is arguably one of the most coveted cities in the world and with so much to see and do there, not to mention all the remarkable food it has to offer, it’s no surprise that it’s made its way onto this list of the best cities in the world.
No trip to Paris is complete without taking in the view of the mightily impressive Eiffel Tower, both from the ground and from its tall viewing platform and be sure to check it out at night as well when it’s fantastically lit up.
Of course, a visit to the Louvre has to be on your Paris itinerary, as well as seeing the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral and the stupidly beautiful Sacré-Cœur; we were lucky enough to see this when it was snowing and it felt like a scene straight from a romantic comedy.
While you’re in Paris, be sure to head to Angelina’s for the most decadent hot chocolate I’ve ever had and reserve a table at Flesh for the most delightful steak dinner.
Some of my favourite things to do in Paris include:
- Visit the Louvre
- Take a cruise along the river
- Visit Disneyland Paris for one day
Check out my Paris guides here.
Wellington – best cities in the world
I wasn’t expecting to love the capital city of New Zealand as much as I did but it’s one of those cities that I instantly knew I could live in.
Not only is it home to some of the best street food I’ve ever had, but there are also so many wonderful things to see and do in this city that it rightly deserves its spot on this list of the best cities in the world.
The Te Papa Museum is an absolute must-do while you’re there and a ride on the Wellington Cable Car is so much fun, albeit very touristy.
If you’re after awesome views of the city, be sure to take a hike up Mount Victoria for stunning views of the city and harbour below.
Some of my favourite things to do in Wellington include:
- Riding the Wellington Cable Car
- Head to the food markets on Cuba Street
- Wander around Oriental Bay
Check out my Wellington guides here.
Kuala Lumpur
After New York, Kuala Lumpur is probably my favourite city in the world and after only being there for a couple of days, Matt and I both said that it’s a place we want to spend an extended period of time in at some point.
We were originally only going to spend a week in KL, but our time there ended up being more than two weeks in total as we both fell completely in love with it.
The Petronas Tower are a definite highlight when visiting Kuala Lumpur and even if you don’t want to head to the viewing platforms at the top of the towers, the view of them from the ground below is still an impressive feat to behold.
KL is also home to some of my favourite street food in the world and we ate so much incredible food while we were there that it’s ruined me for all other culinary cities! Tapak Urban Street Dining and Jalan Alor Night Market were my personal favourite street food markets in the city.
Some of my favourite things to do in Kuala Lumpur include:
- Heading up to the top of the Petronas Towers
- Eating at Tapak Urban Street Dining food market
- Visiting Batu Caves
Check out my Kuala Lumpur guides here.
Singapore
It feels like I’m cheating a bit by including Singapore in this list of the best cities in the world as it’s technically a country and a city-state all in one, but I’m including it in this post anyway as it’s one of the most remarkable places in the world (in my opinion!).
We spent almost two weeks in Singapore over Christmas and New Year and it was the most wonderfully magical experience. The whole area around Marina Bay is absolutely spectacular and the Marina Bay Sands hotel is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before; its opulence instantly draws you in and makes you feel like you’re an A-list celebrity, even if you’re backpacking around Asia on a budget (like we were!).
When you’re in Singapore, you simply can’t miss Gardens by the Bay; these magical trees come alive at night and it’s hard to comprehend just how giant and magnificent they are until you’re up close and personal to them.
While Singapore certainly isn’t the cheapest place on this list, you can still find the most delicious and insanely affordable food here. Hawker Markets are incredibly popular in Singapore and you’ll find vast and varied cuisines from all over the world for as little as £1 in many places.
Some of my favourite things to do in Singapore include:
- Spend some time around Marina Bay
- Visit Gardens by the Bay, the Supertree Grove, Flower Dome & Cloud Forest
- Spend a day at Universal Studios
Check out my Singapore guides here.
Ho Chi Minh – best cities in the world
Ho Chi Minh City was one of the last large cities we visited when we were travelling around Southeast Asia for seven months before we had to fly back to the UK due to Covid-19.
As well as being one of our last huge cities that we explored, it was also one of the greatest in Asia and everything about it was mind-blowing.
From the eclectic sights and smells that waft through the air to the busyness of the streets with zooming cars and whizzing bikes to the sheer amount of people going about their daily lives; it was all very overwhelming but in the best way possible.
Some of my favourite things to do in Ho Chi Minh City include:
- Go on a walking food tour of the city
- Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Head up to the top of the Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck
Check out my Ho Chi Minh City guides here.
Bangkok
Speaking of overwhelming cities, Bangkok in Thailand has got to be up there with one of the craziest cities I’ve ever been to.
We spent numerous days at a time in Bangkok at different stages of our trip in Thailand and every single day was different from the previous one.
It feels like a crazy busy city with so much to see and do and it’s a sensory overload for every single one of your senses. I actually wasn’t that keen on Thai food at all during our trip, so I can’t really comment on the culinary scene in Bangkok too much, but I can certainly vouch for its incredible nightlife and tourist scene as there are plentiful clubs to enjoy and so many wonderful sights to see.
Some of my favourite things to do in Bangkok include:
- Immerse yourself in the wonderment of Khao San Road
- Visit Wat Arun Ratchawararam
- Get a cocktail at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse rooftop bar
Check out my Bangkok guides here.
Gold Coast
I feel like I’m repeating myself somewhat now as the Gold Coast in Australia is yet another city that I could easily see myself living in.
The Gold Coast was probably my favourite place that we visited during our whole East Coast Australia road trip and with beaches and skylines like that, how could you not fall in love?!
While we were in the GC, we stayed at a campsite in our hired campervan and also with some of Matt’s extended family which was a great way to experience the more local side of this beautiful city.
As I said at the beginning of this post, I would nearly always choose a city break over a beach holiday, but with the Gold Coast, you don’t have to choose; you get to experience the best of both worlds which is why it deserves its rightful place on this list of the very best cities in the world.
Some of my favourite things to do in the Gold Coast include:
- Head up the SkyPoint Observation Deck
- Walk along the beach from Nobby’s Beach to Surfer’s Paradise
- Visit numerous theme parks such as the Warner Bros. Movie World and Sea World
Check out my Gold Coast guides here.
Rome
It’s crazy to think that at the time of writing this post I’ve actually only spent a grand total of six hours in Rome, but I think you’d be very surprised to discover just how much you can see and do in Rome during that time.
Despite our crazy short visit, we managed to see some of the city’s top sights such as the Colosseum (although we didn’t manage to go inside), the Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, the Pantheon and more. Oh, and we also managed to grab a slice of pizza in between all the hectic exploring!
While I’m incredibly grateful that we saw and did so much in such a short space of time, I would still really love to go back to Rome for a few days and explore absolutely everything it has to offer without rushing around the city!
Some of my favourite things to do in Rome include:
- Seeing the Colosseum
- Exploring Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel
- Grabbing a slice of traditional Italian pizza
Check out my Rome guides here.
Sydney – best cities in the world
Sydney is one of those places that everyone says you absolutely have to visit and I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype but I was delighted to discover that it met all my expectations and exceeded them beyond belief!
There are so many great things to explore in Sydney, including ample beaches such as the iconic Bondi Beach, as well as some of my personal favourites such as Palm Beach and Manly Beach.
Of course, you have to check out the Sydney Opera House and even if you don’t watch a performance inside this marvellous building, it’s still well worth having a mooch around it. On an evening, there is also a light show that’s cast onto the many domes and curves of the Opera House which is a great spectacle to see.
We also took a cruise around the harbour to see the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water which was also a really enjoyable experience and one that I’d recommend to anyone visiting this amazing city.
Some of my favourite things to do in Sydney include:
- Seeing the Sydney Opera House
- Spending some time on the iconic Bondi Beach
- Wandering through the Royal Botanic Garden
Check out my Sydney guides here.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most popular European city breaks and rightly so; it’s absolutely bloody amazing!
The food and nightlife scene is truly awesome; we had the best kebab I’ve ever had in Amsterdam and while we never normally repeat meals or restaurants when we’re travelling as we like to try lots of different places, we ended up having kebabs from this one particular place three times in the five days that we were there!
Our time in Amsterdam was actually spent over New Year so we had the chance to enjoy ringing in the new year in a totally new and hectic place and I loved every second of it!
The culture in Amsterdam isn’t necessarily to everyone’s taste but it certainly is fascinating! From the Sex Museum to the Museum of Prostitution to the tamer Rijkmuseum and of course, Anne Frank’s House, Amsterdam is positively teeming with incredible museums to explore.
It’s also such a beautiful city to walk or bike around, especially around the plentiful canals and it just feels like such a lovely and welcoming place to be and I already can’t wait to head back again one day.
Some of my favourite things to do in Amsterdam include:
- Visit the Anne Frank Museum
- Open your eyes to the culture in Amsterdam at the Sex Museum
- Stroll through Vondelpark
Check out my Amsterdam guides here.
Venice
Another European city that’s widely famed for its abundance of canals; Venice!
Venice is a city that I’d wanted to visit for many years and when we finally headed there in 2017, it was everything I’d dreamed of and more. My time in Venice was actually my first time in Italy as a whole and I was so incredibly excited to eat so much delicious Italian food and Venice certainly delivered on that front.
I think the best thing about Venice is that you don’t necessarily have to do anything in particular while you’re there; simply just mooching around the city, discovering hidden corners and cute restaurants and taking in all the beautiful sights is more than enough.
Of course, if you do want to get stuck into the heart of things in Venice, then it also has plenty of brilliant activities and sights to enjoy too. A Gondola ride down one of the many canals is incredibly touristy and ridiculously expensive, but it’s a must-do while you’re there if you want to soak up all the goodness of the city!
Some of my favourite things to do in Venice include:
- Explore Piazza San Marco
- Eat the most heavenly lasagne at Rossopomodoro restaurant
- Visit the Leonardo da Vinci museum
Check out my Venice guides here.
Melbourne – best cities in the world
Melbourne was one of my absolute favourite places in Australia and it’s also the very first place we visited when we landed in Oz to start our awesome road trip from Melbourne to Cairns.
We spent around five days in the city, but you could probably spend only two or three days there and still have an incredible time. There’s such a great nightlife scene to enjoy in Melbourne and so many great places to eat. We actually watched our first ever Aussie Rules match while we were there which was absolutely incredible and I’d highly recommend watching a game if you have time while you’re there!
Corinne from Skinnedcartree also listed Melbourne as one of her favourite cities in the world and she has some brilliant things to say about this great Australian city too!
“I spent a month in Melbourne in 2017 and I fell in love with the city. It’s just one of those places I felt an instant connection to and would happily live there. Melbourne’s skyline is something I came to love during my trip as I travelled to and from the city centre. It’s modern and very grand. Melbourne is full of history and I enjoyed learning about the part that Melbourne played in the history of Australia, there’s so much packed into its short history. Melbourne was actually the capital of Australia until 1927!
Other things I love about Melbourne include the food – there are so many places to eat. My favourite is the Conservatory in The Crown – a luxury and diverse global buffet. The nightlife is also fun and there are lots of shopping centres and markets where you can spend hours and hours discovering new shops and products. It’s a city with something for everyone and I can’t wait to go back and explore more!”
Check out my Melbourne guides here.
London
It’s no secret that London is viewed as one of the most iconic cities in Europe, and indeed, the entire world and its vibrant history and remarkable cultural and culinary scene truly makes it one of the greatest cities in the world.
London is home to some of the UK’s most famous sights, including The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and many, many more.
It’s also a great place to enjoy the outdoors and while it is certainly an industrial and commercial city, the city’s parks such as Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath and Greenwich Park to name just a few, make it ideal for exploring its expansive green spaces.
The restaurants in London are also some of the best in the world, with a whopping 66 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, as well as thousands of local restaurants, bars and cafes to enjoy too.
Some of my favourite things to do in London include:
- Taking a ride on the London Eye for beautiful views of the city
- Go on a Hop On Hop Off bus tour of the city
- Eating delicious Indian food at Dishoom
Check out my London guides here.
Oslo
Oslo is probably one of the most expensive cities on this list but it’s also one of the most beautiful, especially during the winter months.
We first visited Oslo in early February and we were treated to the most beautiful city blanketed in crisp, white snowfall. Of course, you don’t have to visit Oslo in the winter months to admire its unparalleled beauty, but I really do think it comes alive during the snowy season.
The food we ate in Oslo was truly outstanding and while it was pretty pricey in many places (we paid almost £20 for a portion of fish and chips in one place!), it was almost always worth the money and I don’t think we had a bad meal the whole time we were there.
Aker Brygge was my favourite area in Oslo as it’s home to plentiful restaurants and lovely cafes as well as gorgeous views out to sea and the neighbouring islands.
Some of my favourite things to do in Oslo include:
- Explore Akershus Fortress
- Take a boat trip to Hovedøya Island
- Wander around Vigeland Sculpture Park
Check out my Oslo guides here.
Washington D.C
At the time of writing this post, I’ve only been to four states in America (New York, Philadelphia, Maryland and Washington D.C., which isn’t technically a state) and while New York City will always be my number one favourite, D.C. is probably one of my top 10 cities I’ve ever been to.
Of course, it’s the city’s enigmatic history and political pull that attracts millions of visitors a year and while exploring places such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol are all must-dos while you’re in the city, it’s just such a nice city on its own accord with so much beauty.
The National World War II Memorial and the avenue between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial is my absolute favourite part of the city. I particularly loved exploring this area as it was featured on my favourite film of all time, Forrest Gump, so it felt utterly surreal to see it all up close and personal when I was there.
Some of my favourite things to do in Washington D.C. include:
- Visiting the Lincoln Memorial
- Seeing the White House
- Discovering the National Museum of Natural History
Check out my Washington D.C. guides here.
Reykjavík – best cities in the world
Reykjavík is another one of the most expensive cities featured on this list, but it is still possible to experience this remarkable place on a tighter budget as well.
We visited Reykjavík in February 2019 and while it was remarkably cold for the vast majority of the trip, it didn’t snow. While we were there, we did the Golden Circle Tour and also went on a Northern Lights explorer tour too.
The Golden Circle Tour was absolutely fantastic and so wonderfully magical; everything we did and saw felt like something out of a movie. The Northern Lights tour we embarked on unfortunately wasn’t quite as good as we didn’t really see any lights at all, so it’s something that’s on my bucket list to do again in the near future, either back in Iceland again or somewhere else as I think they’d be so cool to see in real life!
Some of my favourite things to do in Reykjavík include:
- See the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Spend an afternoon at Sundhöllin swimming baths
- Eat at Frederiksen Ale House
Check out my Reykjavík guides here.
Brisbane
While I didn’t love Brisbane quite as much as the Gold Coast or Sydney, it’s still secured a spot in my list of the best cities in the world as it’s a truly enjoyable place to visit in Australia.
The city skyline here is absolutely beautiful and there are so many wonderful corners of the city to explore. One night we were there, we went to a silent disco with a blogging friend of mine who was living in Brisbane at the time and it was so much fun!
The South Bank Parklands is a great place to hang out in the city and I love how Brisbane is a place that you could happily get “lost” in for hours on end, all the while soaking up all its stunning beauty. The city is also home to Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach which is definitely worth checking out on a leisurely afternoon.
Some of my favourite things to do in Brisbane include:
- Spend some time at Streets Beach
- Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Wander through Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Check out my Brisbane guides here.
Palma
Palma de Mallorca was the first sun/beach holiday destination that Matt and I went on together so it will always have a special place in my heart for that reason.
While we didn’t do an awful lot of sightseeing or exploring while we were there, we did manage to see things like the stunning Palma Cathedral and we went to a show called Pirates Reloaded which was tremendous fun!
We also spent one day at Aqualand waterpark and even as adults with no kids, this was so much fun and well worth visiting if you’re in Palma!
Some of my favourite things to do in Palma include:
- Spend a day at Aqualand waterpark
- Cycle around the city and beach
- Spend an evening at Pirates Reloaded
Check out my Palma guides here.
Dubai – best cities in the world
Dubai has a bit of a reputation for either being incredibly loved or hated by people, depending on whether they’ve personally been or whether they’ve just heard bad experiences from other people who’ve visited, but I can personally say that I really loved the week I spent in Dubai with my family.
We stayed in the most fabulous hotel called the Jumeirah Beach Hotel that looks like a wave with the best view of the spectacular Burj Al Arab hotel; it was undoubtedly one of the best and most lavish hotels I’ve ever stayed in and everything about it was out of this world.
Of course, the Burj Khalifa is well worth a visit while you’re there, as is simply just wandering around the myriad shopping malls; even if you don’t spend any money while you’re there, the shopping malls are so grand and beautiful, that it’s worth visiting them just for a nosey!
Some of my favourite things to do in Dubai include:
- Going to the top of the Burj Khalifa
- Spending the day at Wild Wadi Waterpark
- Experience the Dubai Mall
Málaga
Matt and I visited Málaga with his mum just a couple of weeks before we headed off on our trip around the world and it was the perfect European city to relax in and enjoy some spring sunshine before we departed for our epic trip.
There are so many beautiful buildings to see in Málaga, including the remarkable Alcazaba and the Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga, as well as plenty of museums and galleries such as the Picasso Museum.
The beaches in Málaga are also lovely and while it wasn’t quite warm enough to spend the full day on the beach while we were there, we did enjoy a lovely little stroll along the sand.
Málaga’s port is also worth a little nosey around and there are plenty of great restaurants and ice cream parlours to enjoy around the area too.
Some of my favourite things to do in Málaga include:
- Explore Castillo de Gibralfaro
- Visit the Alcazaba
- Spend an hour or two at the Picasso Museum
Best cities in the world – recommendations from fellow travellers, bloggers, friends and family
As well as offering my own insight into the best cities in the world, I also wanted to include a few submissions from my fellow travellers, bloggers and friends and family so that they could share their favourite cities in the world to help inspire you guys even more!
Check out the section below for more of the best cities in the world as recommended by my fellow travellers!
Please note that all text in Italics are direct quotes from the people that have contributed to this guide!
Tokyo
One of my very good friends and fellow travel bloggers, Nele from The Navigatio, has a love affair with Japan just as strong as mine with New York and if her words about Tokyo are anything to go by, I reckon we all need to add this incredible city to our bucket lists as soon as possible (it’s certainly already on mine!).
“Bright neon signs taped on all sides of a skyscraper, a peaceful Shinto shrine and a bar where you can get drunk with robots. That’s Tokyo. Being the capital of a country that’s known for its crazy contrast, Tokyo shows exactly what Japan is all about. Even though my expectations of Tokyo were almost unrealistically high, the city surpassed them all. It was one of the most exciting weeks of my life and I cannot wait to go back.
Tokyo has many different districts, and all have their own unique character and atmosphere. Akihabara, for example, is filled with skyscrapers, video game halls, anime figurine shops and more. It’s heaven for pop culture, anime, and video-game lovers. Asakusa, on the other hand, is more traditional, with the Senso-Ji shrine (the oldest shrine in Tokyo) and traditional sweet shops.
It’s easy to get around, even if you don’t speak Japanese and the food is to die for. While Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world, even cheap sushi or convenience store food will blow you away.
It’s easy to spend a week in Tokyo without getting bored and with many things left on your bucket list. It’s such an exciting, vibrant and welcoming city, and I’ve already got a filled itinerary ready for my next visit.”
Check out Nele’s Toyko guides here.
San Francisco
Matt and I are constantly talking about taking an epic USA road trip and one of the top places on our list is San Francisco. Until I visit and can include my own recommendations of the best things to do there, however, I enlisted the help of my uncle to give you guys some insight into this awesome American city.
“One of my favourite cities is San Francisco. We first went on the obligatory bus tour and saw the many different facets the city has and then we rented bicycles and cycled around the city, around the shoreline, then over the bridge (which was just awesome) and then down to Sausalito and caught the normal ferry back to SF and saw the seals in the Port via Alcatraz. It was a tremendous day without spending an arm and a leg as well.”
Glasgow
I’m actually quite worried to admit this as I know how many people rave about Glasgow as a city, but it’s a place that I just didn’t fall in love with when I visited last year.
The lovely Sophie, however, has nothing but excellent things to say about Glasgow and I have a feeling she might be as obsessed with it as I am about New York!
“Glasgow is literally the coolest city in the UK. The vibes are immaculate, the high streets are beautiful and actually worth a mooch around, and the subway system is a simplified dream. You can do so much there, from the science centre to spotting famous names in the Necropolis, and the restaurants, bars, and nightlife are unparalleled.”
Check out my Glasgow guide here.
Barcelona – best cities in the world
Barcelona is a city that I’ve been dying to visit for a long time now and Vicky has nothing but good things to say about it!
“Barcelona – the city for everyone! It’s a city that not only caters for all but is accessible too. Long straight roads make it easy to get around. Barcelona has many sections to enjoy, be it the shopping district or the gothic district.
Of course, the most famous and glorious landmark in Barcelona is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família which is a must-see for any visitor. I loved how the colours bounced around and made it so light. Finally, I’d like to mention how the city caters for every tourist. Be it cruise passengers, city lovers or beach lovers!”
Berlin
Matt’s been to Berlin numerous times but I’m still yet to venture there myself, so until I do, I’ll share some of Sophie’s words of wisdom for visiting the German capital.
“Berlin is so unique because the history of the last 100 years is literally right in front of your eyes. As you walk around you see relics from WWII, the Soviet rule, and of course from when the city was divided in half. There is an art studio that overlooks an abandoned building site, of which work was only halted because as they dug, they realised below the remaining part of the Berlin Wall are cells from Nazi interrogations. Huge parts of history scattered around a lively capital city with amazing food and shops!”
Seoul – best cities in the world
We were supposed to head to Seoul as part of our trip around Asia that was very rudely cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it’s still a place that I have saved on my travel wishlist for our next trip to Asia.
As I’m still yet to visit, Value Alliance very kindly put together a few words about Seoul to help inspire your next trip!
“I love eating delicious Korean food in Seoul, shopping for beauty products in Myeondong and shopping for the latest fashion in Hongdae.”
As I said at the start of this post, this list of the best cities in the world isn’t exhaustive and I will continue adding to it whenever I visit a new city that I fall in love with! Be sure to send over your favourite cities in the world as well for inclusion in the post!
Related posts:
- The Best UK City Breaks – 20 Beautiful Cities To Visit In The UK
- 26+ Best European City Breaks To Take All Year Round
- The Best Winter City Breaks – Updated For 2021
Pin for later – best cities in the world
What are some of your favourite cities in the world? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @imjustagirl_16.
