Liverpool named seventh best city in the world by Time Out

Time Out has just revealed their 50 best cities in the world in 2024 and has named Liverpool as the seventh best city right now.

The team quizzed thousands of people to rank their top 50 cities for 2024.

Time Out, a global media and hospitality brand that helps people experience the best of the city, surveys thousands of residents every year to gain a unique perspective on what it’s really like to live in the greatest cities in the world at the moment. 

This year, respondents who live in cities were questioned about their city’s emotional impact, ranging from happiness to romance, as well as the standard and cost of the food, nightlife, and culture. In addition, survey participants were asked which other city they would most like to call home. These observations were paired with those of over a hundred well-traveled Time Out staff writers and editors, situated in cities across the globe, who were asked to share their opinions on the most exciting cities at the moment. This ranking of Time Out’s Best Cities in the World for 2024 was influenced by each of these variables.

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out said: 

“Time Out knows cities like no-one else, and that’s thanks to the opinions and insights of our global network of local expert journalists on the ground in cities around the world. Our annual survey lets us keep a finger on the pulse of city-dwellers to create a global snapshot of city living right now. 

“Every city that made the list did so because locals rate it highly – so whether a city ranked at one or fifty, it’s still one of the greatest amongst the thousands of cities around the globe. This year, the top cities are not only incredible places to visit and go out in, with world-class restaurants, culture and nightlife, but they’re also great places to live, with strong community spirit and an undeniable vibe.”

Here’s the top 10 of Time Out’s Best Cities in the World right now: 

1. New York City, USA

This year, New York tops Time Out’s list of the world’s best cities for both its global appeal to tourists and its high standard of living for residents. Residents of the city ranked it as the best place to live in all categories, including food and drink, nightlife, culture, and beauty. In addition, residents of the city stated that if they could move to any other city, they would choose to relocate there (15 percent of survey respondents who lived in other cities stated as much).

2. Cape Town, South Africa

Given the breathtaking beaches along the coastline and the summit of Table Mountain, it’s easy to understand why every single survey participant declared Cape Town to be gorgeous. The city boasts one of the best quality cultural scenes in the world, with an abundance of studios, galleries, and public events. Some of the city’s most well-known events are the Cape Town Art Fair, which takes place in February and is Africa’s largest art fair; there’s also the Esther Mahlangu retrospective at the Iziko South African National Gallery; and during the summer, inner-city galleries host special viewings and extend their opening hours on First Thursdays.

3. Berlin, Germany

The survey results confirmed the widely held belief that Berliners enjoy going out to parties, with the city’s nightlife receiving an astounding 82 percent approval rating. Berlin’s most popular karaoke bar, Monster Ronson’s Ichiban Karaoke, is celebrating 20 years this year. It’s a great opportunity for guests to sing along to their favourite song.

4. London, UK

Despite its sometimes unfavourable reputation of suffering and rain, the survey showed that Londoners believe that living in this city makes them happy, despite its occasionally depressing outlook. It must be because there are so many fantastic activities available here, both old and new: there are a tonne of free museums and galleries in London, as well as enormous parks and renowned pubs.

5. Madrid, Spain

Madrid is a friendly, energetic city that is well-known for its genuineness, great food and drink scenes, and dynamic culture. Just this past year, Salmon Guru was named one of the world’s greatest cocktail bars, David Muñoz was voted the world’s greatest chef once again, and the Royal Collections Gallery was one of Europe’s most significant museum projects.

6. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City received high marks for livability; every local surveyed said the city was lovely, most of them expressed happiness and the ease with which they could make friends. Not surprisingly, CDMX received high marks for its cultural scene as well, featuring a number of vibrant up-and-coming venues for art such as the recently opened Naranjo gallery and much anticipated international shows like Damien Hirst at Museo Jumex.

7. Liverpool, UK

More than any other city on the list, Liverpool received an impressive 89 percent for the affordability of its art and culture scene. Riding high from hosting Eurovision last year, 2024 promises to be a great year for music lovers. One such event is “In The Park,” which will feature a 50-piece orchestra playing classic dance hits, and will be emceed by beloved local singer-songwriter Jamie Webster in association with Cream Classical. For those who wish to support emerging chefs, Belzan, which has received Michelin endorsement, offers small plates that are worth trying.

8. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is undoubtedly among the world’s most inventive and dynamic cities, and in 2024, there is no indication that this trend will slow down. One of the most anticipated cultural events of the year is the opening of the brand-new teamLab Borderless digital art museum in Azabudai Hills, which is home to several never-before-seen installations. Tokyo is also a centre for fine dining, home to some of the best restaurants on Earth.

9. Rome, Italy

Not surprisingly, Rome’s culinary scene received high marks from locals, and in 2024, this traditionally carnivorous city will welcome more plant-based eateries to satisfy evolving tastes. For a plant-based meal, try the new vegan pastry shop Julietta, Grezzo for dairy-free gelato, and Buddy for a decadent vegan brunch.

10. Porto, Portugal 

With 82% of residents believing it’s simple to find love in the city, Porto was one of the best-rated cities for romance. And what better way to cap off a romantic date than with a glass of vinho in this wine capital? While Gaia’s cellars, including Sandeman, Cockburn’s, and Cálem, are open for tours, visitors can stay at wine hotels like The Yeatman, grab a glass and some food at chic wine bars like Genuíno, or learn everything there is to know about wine at World of Wine (WoW).

You can check out the full list of Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World right now can here. 

11. Paris
12. Mumbai
13. Lisbon
14. Chicago
15. Manchester
16. São Paulo
17. Los Angeles
18. Amsterdam
19. Lagos
20. Melbourne
21. Naples
22. Singapore
23. Miami
24. Bangkok
25. Lima
26. Budapest
27. Beijing
28. Dubai
29. Montreal
30. Glasgow
31. Sydney
32. Buenos Aires
33. Kuala Lumpur
34. Manila
35. Seoul
36. Hanoi
37. San Francisco
38. Barcelona
39. Abu Dhabi
40. New Orleans
41. Philadelphia
42. Austin
43. Boston
44. Accra
45. Marseille
46. Taipei
47. Istanbul
48. Osaka
49. Hong Kong
50. Vancouver

READ MORE: LIVERPOOL “THIRD BEST UK DESTINATION”