Nobody knows a city better than the people who experience it day-in, day-out, and that’s why, for the last 10 years, has been asking urbanites from all over the planet about life where they live.
’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel, for this anniversary edition, surveyed 24,000 people on everything from the food and nightlife to the walkability and general happiness in their city, and applied insight from over 100 city experts to produce this year’s 50-strong ranking.
Melbourne claimed the top spot, but 19 European, 12 Asian, and four African cities all feature in the list, as do six different South American hubs. The first of these is the brilliant, coruscating Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which sits in twelfth position on our worldwide list.
Our research found that ‘beautiful’ and ‘lively’ were the most common terms used by locals to describe Rio, and an impressive 79 percent of them said they felt it fostered a sense of community.
What’s so special about visiting the city this year? According to Rio de Janeiro editor Lívia Breves, Rio’s crowning jewel is its nightlife, with parties, festivals and gigs often unfolding along its streets and beaches like the famous Copacabana.
‘Rio’s festival scene is going from strength to strength. Rock in Rio returns in September with Elton John, Jamiroquai and Demi Lovato.’ writes Lívia. ‘In May, Copacabana hosts another free mega-show – after Madonna and Lady Gaga, who’s next? Meanwhile, ArtRio continues to grow, bringing global attention to the city’s art scene.’
São Paulo follows closely behind Rio, claiming 14th place on the roundup and faring particularly well for its dining scene and green spaces, but scroll on for a look at each South American hub that claimed a top-50 spot, including cities in Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.
The six best cities in South America for 2026
- Rio de Janeiro
- São Paulo
- Medellin
- Lima
- Buenos Aires
- Bogotá
🏙️ Check out ’s brand-new list of the Best Cities in the World for 2026.
Ready to see the world’s best cities for yourself? Book your next trip with Intrepid Travel and start planning the ultimate adventure today.
ICYMI: All the best travel photos from the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 shortlist.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
