Best cities to travel to
For density, food, energy, and 24-hour life.
Some travelers want to be in cities — and not all cities are worth the trip. These are the destinations where the urban experience is the point.
32 destinations
France
Western EuropeParis is only the opening act — wine country, the Alps, and two coastlines.
Japan
East AsiaExtraordinary food, culture, and cities. Nothing quite prepares you for it.
Spain
Western EuropeFood, beaches, and three or four cities that each justify the trip.
United States
North AmericaA continent pretending to be a country — cities, deserts, and the best national parks anywhere.
China
East AsiaAncient history and hypermodern cities at a scale that's hard to grasp until you're there.
Czech Republic
Central EuropePrague earns the crowds. The rest of the country is the bonus.
Lisbon, Portugal
Western EuropeThe best value city in Western Europe.
Singapore
Southeast AsiaThe best two days you can spend between flights — or on their own.
South Korea
East AsiaSeoul alone justifies the flight — food, nightlife, and mountains inside the city.
United Arab Emirates
Middle EastDubai and Abu Dhabi: superlatives, desert, and a stopover worth a few days of its own.
United Kingdom
Western EuropeLondon, then the parts most visitors skip — Scotland, Wales, and the coast.
Colombia
South AmericaMedellin is one of the most exciting cities in the world right now.
Germany
Western EuropeSerious cities, river valleys, and the Alps in the south.
Hungary
Central EuropeBudapest is the best-value great city in Europe.
Netherlands
Western EuropeAmsterdam, then the cities and coast most visitors never reach.
Poland
Eastern EuropeEurope's best-value city break, with the history to match.
Italy
Western EuropeThe benchmark for food, history, and beauty.
Mexico
North AmericaMexico City is world-class. Add the coast, ruins, and food culture.
Australia
OceaniaVast, varied, relaxed. Reef, Sydney, and proper wilderness in one.
Croatia
Eastern EuropeDubrovnik, the Adriatic coast, ancient cities. Compact and beautiful.
Switzerland
Western EuropeThe most concentrated mountain scenery in Europe — and you'll pay for it.
Argentina
South AmericaBuenos Aires has the best steakhouses and nightlife in South America.
Austria
Western EuropeThe Alps done properly — skiing, hiking, and Vienna for the culture.
Brazil
South AmericaA continent of a country. Pick two or three things and commit.
Canada
North AmericaWilderness on a continental scale — Rockies, coast, and the cities between.
Ireland
Western EuropeRent a car, chase the coast, accept the weather.
Malaysia
Southeast AsiaThe most underrated food trip in Southeast Asia.
Morocco
North AfricaMedinas, desert, mountains, and coast — sensory and varied.
Turkey
Middle EastIstanbul alone is worth the trip. Add Cappadocia, the coast, and ancient ruins.
Vietnam
Southeast AsiaThe best food in Southeast Asia, remarkable scenery, a long coastline.
South Africa
Sub-Saharan AfricaCape Town, safari, and wine country in one self-drive trip.
Taiwan
East AsiaBest street food in the world, dramatic gorges, deeply welcoming culture.
Frequently asked
Best city for food and nightlife?
Spain — Food, beaches, and three or four cities that each justify the trip.
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