The World's Best Cities

Travel+Leisure has compiled its 22nd annual list of the world's best cities, as voted by users worldwide. Florence and Rome are the only two cities in the "Hall of Fame" for making the list ten years in a row.

What Makes a Top City

Obviously the list here is going to be a bit biased towards best touristcities, as it's polled from a travel magazine. It won't feature things like the job market, school system, and other telltale economic markers that people look for. Travel + Leisure asked readers to review their experiences in different cities based off of set criteria. These includedsights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and "overall value." A top city on this list is one with an abundance of stuff to do, things to see, and a distinct character.

Some Common Elements

The cities that made the list this year all have a few things in common. Cities that rank highest tend to be accessible to pedestrians, tend to have abundant greenery, and have well-preserved historical sites. These features have drawn more and more visitors to Asia, which is represented more in 2019than in any year prior.