An Austrian activist in Vienna is challenging the city over public toilet fees, arguing women are discriminated against because they must pay to use cubicles while men can access urinals for free.
Published On 15 Aug 202615 Aug 2026
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THE MOST liveable cities in the world have been named – but the UK didn’t make the cut.
Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey has been running for nearly 20 years, looking at a number of factors into what makes a city loved by its locals.
This includes everything from safety and connectivity to green spaces and late night openings.
New this year is ” excitement, urban ambition and security,” when it comes to making a city great.
Sadly, none in the UK made the top 20, with the study citing London missing out as it doesn’t have the “security of certain mature markets“.
What did come out on top was the city of Tokyo in Japan.
It was praised for both its stability and security, citing its “old-fashioned sense of security”.
It explained: “Young children walk to school unaccompanied by their parents, huge events take place every week without major disorder, and crime rates are consistently low.
“Tokyo should celebrate being such a well-mannered metropolis but its exemplary conduct is never taken for granted.”
However, a number of European cities made the top 20 list.
In second place was Copenhagen, citing its “booming restaurant and sauna scene” as well as its low crime rate and urban cycling schemes.
This was followed by Lisbon in third place, for it’s great public transport and local communities.
Lisbon has even become one of the top expat destinations in the world.
Coming in fourth was Vienna, followed by Sydney in 5th.
Other European entries to make the top 10 include Zurich (6th), Madrid (7th), Paris (8th), Munich (9th) and Oslo (10th).
Stockholm, Barcelona, Milan, Amsterdam and Helsinki all snuck into the top 20.
