Top 10 Best Big Cities For Traveller In The World
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| Top 10 Best Big Cities In The World. Photo KnowInsiders |
Each year, readers weigh in on their favorite international cities, big and small, and it’s always exciting to witness which trending locales can rise to the top and compete with the old stalwarts.
As the world has begun to reopen, the results of our 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey reflect the kinds of places you longed to visit when you couldn’t travel and the ones you returned to first once you could.
Top 10 best big cities for traveller in the world
(The Annual Readers' Choice Awards 2021 of Condé Nast Traveller)
10. Seoul, South Korea
9. Bangkok
8. Porto, Portugal
7. Marrakech, Morocco
6. Mérida, Mexico
5. Istanbul
4. Singapore
3. Kyoto, Japan
2. Osaka, Japan
1. Tokyo
What are the best big cities for traveller in the world?
10. Seoul, South Korea
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| Photo Swedish Nomad |
A modern city with pockets of serene palaces and temples, Seoul is home to some of the most beautiful places in South Korea. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Gyeonghoeru pavilion remains almost exactly as it was when it was built back in 1395, while many of the traditional buildings at Bukchon Hanok Village now host tea houses and galleries.
The city is also a shopper’s paradise, whether you’re stocking up on Korean beauty products or high-street fashion. When it comes to lodging, check in to the Park Hyatt Seoul for upscale convenience or La Casa Hotel for a boutique alternative.
9. Bangkok
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| Photo Dreamstime |
There are plenty of things to do in Bangkok, a bustling metropolis where metal and glass skyscrapers sit next to centuries-old temples. Wat Phra Kaew, better known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is considered the most sacred temple in the country and a must-see for visitors to the Thai capital. It is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Siam until 1925.
Today, the temple and palace complex is a sort of living museum, where royal ceremonies are still being held, and visitors can walk the halls, pavilions, and courtyards of the world's richest royalty. Wat Pho, home to a 46-meters-long reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, is a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace and another must-see.
| For those in the shopping mood, Bangkok is home to a number of massive malls, as well as the world's largest outdoor weekend market. With over 8,000 market stalls selling everything from handicrafts and antiques to pet accessories and furniture, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the best place to bargain for the best souvenir prices in the city. Khao San Road, in the heart of Bangkok, is another great place for shopping and street food, popular with backpackers and tourists – it's also very lively at night, with live music, street performers, and plenty of open-air restaurants. |
READ MORE: ONLY in BANGKOK: Top Weirdest Tourist Attractions must to Visit
8. Porto, Portugal
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| Photo Culture Trip |
Porto, sometimes called Oporto, is a known destination for wine connoisseurs, but there’s much more to this seaside city than its sweet port wine. The modern and traditional meet in Portugal's most creative city, where chefs, artists, and designers are bringing a new spirit to the its old-world appeal. Sites like the Igreja de São Francisco, an opulent display of Gothic architecture, are woven with displays of public art.
There’s a similar blend of the modern and traditional at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, Porto’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, where sea urchin crème brûlée is served with floor-to-ceiling ocean views in a building designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.
7. Marrakech, Morocco
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| Photo Culture Trip |
Marrakech, the "pearl of the South", stretches between the palm grove, the desert and the snow-covered peaks of the vast High Atlas Mountains. From the very first steps, the traveller is stunned by the effervescence that reigns in this historic city: the perfumes, the colours, the light, the crowd, the flowers, constitute an astonishing spectacle from which one never gets tired.
As Morocco’s top tourist destination, Marrakech is often the recipient of international praise.
The city’s Royal Mansour Hotel was voted the best in Africa and sixth in the world, and two Marrakech riads won Trip Advisor choice awards in 2019.
| Football star Cristiano Ronaldo selected Marrakech for the site of his luxury hotel, set to open in 2020. Houda Saad, a Moroccan singer, has already opened a hotel in the city. In addition to various conferences and summits, Marrakech also hosts major cultural events such as fashion shows, art exhibitions, film festivals, and concerts. |
6. Mérida, Mexico
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| Photo Travel to Merida |
The streets of Mérida are bursting with the colorful facades of Spanish colonial architecture, but the capital of Mexico’s Yucatan state is also steeped in Mayan history. Centrally located on the Yucatan Peninsula, the city is an easy day trip to UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the ancient cities of Uxmal and Chichen Itza, and the beaches on the Gulf shore in Progreso.
Locals recommend visiting Fundación de Artistas, a nonprofit featuring art exhibits in a 19th-century home; Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, a modern cultural museum; and the traditional Yucatecan food at the super casual Manjar Blanco.
5. Istanbul
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| Photo Bloomberg |
Trite but true: Istanbul is the city where east meets west. It would take several visits to see it all in this sprawling city, but the opulent Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is an excellent choice for your home base with its ornately carved arches and an infinity pool overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.
The Seraglio, formally known as Topkapı Palace, is top of the must-do list, as is the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Spend a day making your stomach very happy with a walking food tour, sampling kebabs, menemen, fresh figs, and rainbow-colored Turkish delight.
4. Singapore
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| Photo Vinanet |
Despite its small size, the city-state punches above its weight economically, recording the highest GDP per capita ($58,000) of all cities studied. That, added to its low unemployment rate of just 2.2 percent and an accommodative business environment, pushed Singapore to first place for employment prospects.
Meanwhile, Singapore's low levels of pollution, high safety levels, lively entertainment scene and local travel options meant it stole the top spot for quality of life too.
Those perks come at a cost, though. The city at the center of 2018's Hollywood blockbuster "Crazy Rich Asians" scored relatively poorly in terms of cost of living, emerging in seventh place, far behind the likes of Taipei, Taiwan.
| Thanks to the direct flight from New York to Singapore (and the lure of Crazy Rich Asians), this bustling city-state is way more than a stopover. Singapore has a growing contemporary art scene, a new hotel seemingly every eight minutes, and a commitment to start-ups and innovation (just see the Supertree Grove, above). All of this is to say, if you visited once before, you may not even recognize it now. Want to relax after a day of exploring? Choose from 1,000 types of gin at Atlas bar, or check into Marina Bay Sands so you have access to that top-of-the-world infinity pool you've heard so much about. Come evening, dig into the city’s hawker culture—you can do a multi-country food crawl without ever leaving the hawker center. |
READ MORE: Top 10 Largest & Best Shopping Malls in Singapore
3. Kyoto, Japan
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| Photo Vietship |
You think you know Kyoto—after all, how much can change in an imperial capital, where you can visit 10th-century temples and pass young geishas in the street? Though it's still one of the most well-preserved cities in Japan, Kyoto has also been reborn following a 2011 earthquake. "Many artists moved to Kyoto, bringing a new energy," says Lucille Reyboz, cofounder of the Kyotographie photography festival; now the city’s leafy, machiya-lined streets are draws for their specialty crafts shops and chic concept stores. There's a thriving gin scene along with the sake scene, and, yes, about 100 Michelin-starred restaurants still. For an authentic meal without Michelin prices, try 200-year-old ryokan Kinmata.
Centuries of preserving Japan’s cultural heritage, 10th century temples, and an aura of refinement are all things which you will find in the world's third best city - Kyoto. Get lost on the hills of Arashiyama or in one of the local temple complexes and try to capture the eluding essence of Kyoto. Some of the most popular attractions include the beautiful Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion, and the Kiyomizudera Temple but make sure to venture off the beaten path, it doesn't take much but creates memories for a lifetime.
Local people used to live in ‘machiya’ townhouses but due to high costs and effort it required to keep them in good condition, they have been recently transformed into little hubs of culture. Stay overnight in a machiya and feel like you have gone back in time to the samurai period! Alternatively, you can spend the night at Condé Nast Traveller readers' favourite hotel in Japan: Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto. The options are endless!
2. Osaka, Japan
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| Photo Travel and Destinations |
The second place didn’t come as a surprise but we’re impressed that Osaka managed to overtake the fan favourite, Kyoto, and came in second! Osaka also happens to be Japan’s second largest city, well-known among the gourmet crowds for one of the best street food like takoyaki balls and okonomiyaki. Exploring Osaka's central areas at night you will be greeted by restaurant signs taking the shape of 3D human faces or sea creatures floating above the street, promoting local businesses!
Another must-see location is the Osaka Castle which provides beautiful views of the city and is especially stunning surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring. If you stay in the area, make sure to add Universal Studios Japan to your wish-list. It has recently opened a new Super Nintendo World section for all Mario fans and is planning to introduce Pokémon attractions starting from next year! Osaka also works great as an exploration base for the nearby Wakayama and Nara prefectures.
1. Tokyo, Japan
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| Photo Tokyo |
Tokyo claimed the first spot in the competition with its vibrant mixture of neon modernity and splashes of traditional colour. We all got to enjoy the sights of Japan's capital this summer during the unforgettable opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games and parts of the competition.
Tokyo is a metropolis that will take you on a cultural journey from the country's samurai past to the high-tech future. You can also come here for the well-deserved city break to savour the mouth-watering cuisine. This year three Tokyo restaurants appeared on the world’s top 50 restaurants and Tokyo's culinary scene has earned more Michelin starts than any other city in the world!
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