In every city on this list, you’ll find legendary arts venues and absolutely jam-packed cultural calendars.

The ranking is based on the highest percentage of locals who rated their city’s walkability ‘good’ or ‘amazing’ in our annual survey.

We get the lowdown on how accessible nature is in some of the world's best cities.

Now in its tenth anniversary year, our Best Cities ranking features new entries and re-entries, with smaller and second cities slotted between the world’s major metropolises.

If you really want to experience local life at its most authentic when exploring a new city, the best thing you can do is take to the streets. And no, not that one major thoroughfare with the samey high street megastores and generic coffee shops. We’re talking about the neighbourhood backstreets and lively avenues that locals love; the places packed with independent shops and creative people, where a brand-new hi-fi listening bar will share the space with an old-school grocer or a centuries-old pub.  This year, to create our annual ranking of the world’s coolest streets, we asked our global network of local editors and experts to nominate the street that epitomises the very best of their city. Time Out’s global travel team then narrowed down the list and ranked each street against criteria including food, drink, culture, fun and community spirit.  From Saturday samba sessions in Rio de Janeiro to a shapeshifting shopping street in Osaka, every avenue, alleyway and side street on this year’s ranking is unique to its hometown. Walking their length is like taking a stroll through the city in miniature, getting a taste of what makes life there brilliant – from food and culture to shopping and nightlife.  Did your favourite street make the list? Read on to find out. RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2025🌆 The world’s best cities in 2025 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for the latest travel news and the best stuff happening across the world.

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity for ingenuity and fun. Get ready to debate – these are the 39 coolest neighbourhoods on the planet right now.  RECOMMENDED:🌆 The world’s greatest cities in 2025🪩 The best cities for nightlife right now🍴 The best cities for food right now🖼️ The world’s culture capitals in 2025

The world’s best cities for Gen Z celebrates the places where the next generation truly thrives.  

The world’s best cities for nightlife in 2025 reflects an incredible spectrum of after-dark culture.

To figure out the great culinary metropolises of today, we surveyed thousands of people around the world about food in their city.

Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all. 

Party songs come in all shapes and sizes – here’s what should be on your playlist. 

Get some pep in your step with these motivational anthems. 

From soul and pop all the way through to heavy metal, covering other artist’s songs is an art form.

Sing your heart out to these soppy belters. 

Heartbroken? Sorry to hear it. Buckle up, because you’ll need a playlist.

From Sabrina Carpenter to Bad Bunny 

From chart-conquering pop to top-tier extreme metal.

You can pay for all the therapy you want – sometimes only a good cry will do it.

The ’80s changed music forever. That’s no secret. But choosing the best songs from the era is no easy task.