Every year, TripAdvisor releases its list of the 25 best cities in the world and there were several new entries this year. All of these cities are gorgeous and deserve to be included in this year’s list.
25) Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia is the most populated city in Australia and offers a rich mixture of historical and modern sights. It is one of the most famous harbor cities and the Sydney Opera House is recognized the world over.
24) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you’re less into history, and more into futuristic metropolises, Dubai is the flashiest of them all. The city is home to the tallest building (Burj Khalifa), as well as the Dubai Mall, the largest of its kind in the world. Other features include amazing artificial islands and some of the best beaches around. When you consider that Dubai was a small tribal town until the 1970s, the current spectacle is mind-blowing.
23) Hong Kong
Hong Kong is famous for its commercial landscape and is a global center of trade but it also has a thriving cultural scene.
22) Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand, is a resort town surrounded by a Z-shaped lake. It has stunning scenery and is a major center for skiing and other snow sports.
21) Budapest, Hungary
Hugging the Danube River, with the Buda Hills to the west, and Great Plains to the east, Budapest is surrounded by beautiful landscapes on all sides. The neoclassical city is just as gorgeous, though it still wears scars from World War II and the 1956 Uprising. The city is built on numerous hot springs, making the local bathhouses a must-see.
20) Athens, Greece
The Greek city of Athens is impressive for its incredibly recorded history spanning over 3,400 years but its history goes far beyond that.
19) Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is the largest city in the region and is surrounded by four mountains. The city has a rich history that spans over 2000 years and tourists love the wonderful hospitality the city has to offer.
18) Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is home to beautiful Buddhist temples and amazing nightlife. The value of the dollar makes this incredible city a relatively cheap place to travel.
17) St. Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg has been called Russia’s window to the West. Unlike Moscow, which features red bricks and domes, St. Petersburg’s canals and neoclassical architecture were designed by Italians, giving the city a European look. It also has a European feel, with modern art galleries and underground clubs, which make the city a spectacle at night.
16) Cusco, Peru
Cusco, Peru, is the gateway to the infamous Machi Picchu and is rich in Inca history.
15) Ubud, Bali
Ubud, Bali, is a historic region and is regarded as the cultural center of Bali. There are remarkable architectural sights and it is famous for its arts and crafts galleries.
14) Cappadocia, Turkey
The area is a popular tourist destination and hot-air ballooning is very popular. It is a storybook town that features unique geological features.
13) Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a city that combines both the old and the new in a magnificent fashion. Much of the city is as it was centuries ago, with narrow streets everywhere you look. On the beachfront, you’ll find modern luxuries and unparalleled resorts.
12) Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is a municipality in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland and is heaven for snow worshipers. The Matterhorn is probably the world’s most famous mountain the city lies right at the foot of the mountain.
11) New York City, USA
New York City is arguably the center of modern Western culture. Whether you’re taking a leisurely bike ride through Central Park, exploring the endless heights of downtown, or chowing down at historic pizza parlors, the city has something for everyone.
Top 25 Cities in the World #10: Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a unique getaway, surrounded by glistening seas and pristine beaches on one side, and a breathtaking mountain range on the other. The city is by far one of the most cosmopolitan in Africa, stemming from its colonial roots, which one can still see in architecture today.
Top 25 Cities in the World #9: Paris, France
Paris is a treasure trove of cultural heritage. The city contains centuries worth of art and architecture from across the world, housed in historical venues like the Louvre and Orangerie. One week would barely be long enough to scratch the surface of what this city has to offer – let alone the magnificent food in restaurants like Le Fumoir.
Top 25 Cities in the World #8: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is called the “Paris of South America” because of the city’s rich European heritage and grand architecture. Despite this, the city maintains its Latin American passion, with sidewalk cafes and beautiful parks.
Top 25 Cities in the World #7: Rome, Italy
Rome is one of the most significant cities in the history of Western civilization and has a legacy that spans more than two and a half thousand years. Street artists and fine restaurants line the roads and monumental landmarks of this eternal city. Sights include Ostia Antica, an ancient preserved port the villa of Emperor Commodus.
Top 25 Cities in the World #6: London, England
The former capital of the largest empire on Earth, London is a hot pot of culture, with more than 300 languages spoken within its boundaries. You can find food, art, and entertainment from every corner of the world, as well as experience the finest English architecture at sites like Kew Gardens and Westminster Abbey.
Top 25 Cities in the World #5: Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is credited as having been a major political, cultural, and economic center of medieval Europe. Now, the city is having a renaissance. Whether you visit the modern Dancing House or the medieval Prague Castle, the city has found a perfect balance between new and old.
Top 25 Cities in the World #4: Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is a fascinating blend of East and West, combining traditional Vietnamese culture with French colonial flair. Thankfully, the city was untouched by decades of war and is now more vibrant and active than ever, with the Old Quarter serving as one of the greatest markets in the world. The Vietnamese Women’s Museum highlights the role of women in Vietnam’s history and is well worth a visit. If it’s nightlife that you’re after, check out one of the many theaters.
Top 25 Cities in the World #3: Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is a vibrant city, straddling Europe and Asia as well as Christianity and Islam for thousands of years. The city is known for its delicious food, amazing coffee, sprawling marketplaces, and ancient architecture – including grand mosques and churches. At the end of a long day, be sure to take a moment to relax in a luxurious bathhouse.
Top 25 Cities in the World #2: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Although the city of Siem Reap is relatively new, it is surrounded by the ancient remains of Angkor Wat, the City of Temples, and the largest religious monument in the world. What Angkor Wat offers in terms of exploration and adventure, Siem Reap offers rest and relaxation.
Top 25 Cities in the World #1: Marrakech, Morocco
The vibrant spices that were once traded through Marrakech have rubbed off on the city itself. With buzzing markets and colorful bazaars, the city is ideal for anyone who wants to get a taste of traditional Moroccan life. Where better to stay than the luxurious Taj Palace, with an amazing view of the Atlas mountains?
Visiting one or many of these cities is on my bucket list and hope some of these cities are on your list of cities to visit in the future!
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