There’s a shedload of stuff that goes into a great city, and it’s not just about bragging cool neighbourhoods to explore or amazing food to eat, it’s also about the nitty gritty stuff like how easy the transport is to use, how much green space there is, and how accepting the vibes are.
But isn’t the only authority on city life out there, and Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards (now back for their 30th year, no less) includes a category on the planet’s best cities.
The rankings are all based on an annual survey of readers’ opinions, and topping the publication’s list for this year? It’s (drum roll, please!) San Miguel de Allende!
That’s right – this colonial-era city in México was rated as the best one in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, and while we’re hardly surprised, it’s great to see a lesser-known spot beating the likes of heavyweights like Tokyo, Bangkok and Jaipur.
At its foundation, San Miguel de Allende is an integral symbol of the Mexican Revolution. It was the birthplace of two of the movement’s heroes, Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama, and is also home to historic landmarks such as Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco, a Baroque church where the rebel army stopped to pray for blessing.
But today, it’s brimming with a lively nightlife culture, brilliant shopping (head to the Mercado de Artesanías and Tianguis Orgánico Artesanal Mxli), and is also a great base to explore the nearby wine regions.
Chiang Mai in Thailand claimed second place, and Tokyo claimed third, but read on for the full top 10 according to Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards.
These are the world’s 10 best cities right now
- San Miguel de Allende, México
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Tokyo, Japan
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Jaipur, India
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Kyoto, Japan
- Ubud, Bali
- Cuzco, Peru
Best cities in the world? We’ve got some opinions – check out ’s roundup of the 50 best cities on the planet, as well as the top places for eating, nightlife, and soaking up some culture.
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