The 100 Best Cities In The World To Visit In 2026, According To A New Report
Paris has been named the best city in the world to visit for the four year in a row in a new report.
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What are the best cities in the world to visit in 2026? Euromonitor International recently unveiled its annual Top 100 City Destinations Index. This report gives a data-driven snapshot of the best places to travel to right now.For its methodology, Euromonitor analyzed 55 different metrics spanning six critical pillars: economic and business performance, tourism performance and infrastructure, policy and attractiveness, health and safety and sustainability.
The Best City In The World: A Repeat Winner
For the fourth year in a row, Paris takes the top spot as the best city in the world to visit, thanks to its unmatched combination—historic grandeur, cultural influence and cutting-edge sustainability initiatives. Another reason the City of Light remains a powerhouse of global tourism: “Paris has unmatched global dominance in 2024, registering over 17 million inbound arrivals,” write the authors of the report.
Madrid is the second best city in the world to visit. Pictured here: Overlooking the Monument of Alfonso XII in the Retiro park en Madrid.
gettyAs in last year’s list—which I also covered—Europe continues to dominate. Nine European cities rank in the top 20, reinforcing the region’s reputation for cultural richness, history and visitor appeal. Other European destinations in the top 10 include Madrid (ranked number two), Rome (number four), Milan (number five), Amsterdam (number seven) and Barcelona (number 10).
Asia Makes A Strong Showing
While Europe maintains a strong presence, this year’s rankings reflect a shift, with non-European destinations making significant gains. Asia is the next most powerful region after Europe, with six cities making it into the top 20.
Tokyo is the best city in Asia. Pictured here: walking around Shijuku district.
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Tokyo climbed to number three, reflecting Japan’s growing appeal as a travel hotspot. The city is benefiting from a combination of improved tourism infrastructure, post-pandemic recovery and increased international visitors, plus a renewed emphasis on sustainability and cultural preservation.
Asia solidified its presence in the rankings with Singapore ranking number nine. According to Euromonitor, “Singapore has dominated the Economic and Business Performance pillar since the introduction of the Top 100 City Destinations Index and is renowned as the world’s freest economy.”
How the United States Ranked
The United States had a strong presence on the list, with eight cities making the top 100. New York City lands at number six and ranking as the highest U.S. city on the list. Driving its ranking: a thriving tourism sector, expanding luxury hotel offerings and world-famous entertainment and dining scenes, which continue to draw visitors in record numbers.
Panoramic view of Brooklyn bridge and Manhattan in New York City—the best city to visit in the United States.
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Following New York, Los Angeles ranks 18. Las Vegas comes in 23rd, while Orlando (number 33) remains a top global destination thanks to its theme parks and family-friendly appeal. Miami (number 35), San Francisco (36), Washington, D.C. (41), and Honolulu (55) round out the list of U.S. cities.
The Most Visited Cities in the World
Besides the rankings, Euromonitor’s report also highlights the most visited cities based on international arrivals. Bangkok takes the top spot—the Thai city welcomed 32 million international visitors in 2024, up 30% since 2023.
A view of Bangkok, Thailand—the most visited city in the world.
Read on for Euromonitor’s complete ranking of the 100 best cities to visit now.
