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There’s something magical about travelling to a new city. It’s the thrill of tossing a coin backwards into Rome’s Trevi Fountain to make a wish. The bustle of Mumbai, still buzzing at 2am. The delight of watching sea lions bask lazily in the sun at San Francisco’s Pier 39. Every city has its own rhythm, its own flavours, its own little moments that linger with you long after you’ve flown home.
According to 798,867 Condé Nast Traveler readers who voted in the publication’s Readers’ Choice Awards, these are the world’s best large cities. Keep in mind that the list focuses on large international cities with populations of more than 500,000, rather than smaller destinations such as San Sebastián in Spain or San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.
Voters were drawn to cities celebrated for their food and drink, architecture, art and culture – from well-loved classics that visitors return to again and again (bonjour, Paris!) to less-touristed spots that deserve a place on your travel wishlist. And, of course, we’re particularly interested in where Sydney landed. Read on to find out.
1. Seoul, South Korea
K-pop, K-beauty, K-dramas. The world is in love with all things Korean, so it’s no surprise that Seoul tops the list. It’s a city of delicious contradictions – five grand palaces and futuristic skyscrapers, tranquil temples and neon-lit streets. Add seriously good food (have you tried tteokbokki?), late-night shopping, a buzzing arts scene and mountains on your doorstep, and it’s easy to see why Seoul is having a moment.
2. Tokyo, Japan
Japan has been on Sydneysiders’ must-visit lists for years, and Tokyo shows no signs of losing its sparkle. This endlessly fascinating city jumps between futuristic skyscrapers and peaceful temples, royal history, impeccable street style and centuries-old traditions – all while serving up some of the most delicious food. It’s efficient, safe, scenic and surprisingly affordable, so really, what’s not to love?
3. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh is the kind of city where you can spend the morning exploring glittering temples, the afternoon grazing your way around a bustling market and sunset cruising along the Mekong. It’s also a place of deep history, with museums and memorials offering a sobering look at Cambodia’s past. Come for the culture, stay for the food, the energy and the warm Cambodian hospitality.
4. Shanghai, China
Shanghai has style by the bucketload. Along The Bund waterfront, grand Art Deco and Neoclassical buildings recall the city’s cosmopolitan past, while the leafy streets of the former French Concession are dotted with boutiques, cafés and restaurants. It’s a city where history, fashion, food and commerce happily collide.
5. Sydney, Australia
Well, we’re not exactly surprised – but we’ll happily take the bragging rights: Sydney has been named the fifth-best large city in the world by Condé Nast Traveler readers. You beauty! Travellers love our glittering harbour, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as its backdrop, golden beaches stretching from Cronulla and Bondi to Manly and Palm Beach, and the Blue Mountains just beyond the urban sprawl. Sydney also has that enviable outdoorsy lifestyle – bushwalking with the family, surfing before work, eating some of the best pan-Asian food and enjoying a good work-life balance.
6. Montreal, Canada
Montreal brings French flair to North America, with cobblestoned streets, grand old churches, excellent restaurants and a distinctly European feel. Beyond beautiful Old Montreal, you’ll find contemporary art, creative bars, design-led hotels and a food scene that runs from classic brasseries to modern restaurants. Poutine, anyone?
7. Paris, France
Audrey Hepburn once said Paris is always a good idea – and Condé Nast Traveler readers clearly agree. Whether you’re enjoying a flaky croissant in a café while stylish Parisians strut by, gazing up at the Eiffel Tower or wandering the cobblestoned streets of Montmartre, Paris has that effortless très chic quality that never goes out of style.
8. Cape Town, South Africa
Few cities put on a backdrop quite like Cape Town, where dramatic Table Mountain towers over beautiful beaches and the Atlantic Ocean. Spend your days exploring galleries and neighbourhoods, swimming at the beach or sipping wine in the surrounding vineyards, while making time to learn about the complex history that has shaped the Mother City.
9. Singapore
Spotlessly clean and famously safe, Singapore makes navigating a big city feel remarkably effortless. Behind that polished exterior is a city constantly reinventing itself, from the futuristic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay and sparkling skyline to its brilliant hawker centres, where you can eat your way across Asia without leaving your seat – come hungry.
10. Kyoto, Japan
Tokyo is Japan’s busy capital; Kyoto is its serene soul. Come for the cherry blossoms, lantern-lit lanes and gleaming temples, but stay for the city’s remarkable depth – more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, hundreds of shrines and centuries-old traditions are woven into everyday life. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and linger just a bit longer.
Check out the full list here.
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