WHAT makes a city the best in the world? Well, there are lots of factors that go into it, according to Oxford Economics which has just named the top 100.
Looking at subjects like governance and quality of life, it has created the Global Cities Index 2026 and four UK cities have made the cut, with one coming in second place.
It might be a surprise to some, but London was named second best city in the world – only beaten by New York City.
Oxford Economics made their decision on the factors of economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.
Talking about the city, Oxford Economics said: “London remains one of the clearest examples of a truly global city.
“Its influence extends across business, science and technology, education, and the arts, giving it a reach that few other cities can equal.”
It named its top strengths with its universities, large GDP size and low emissions.
It’s not the first time London has been named one of the world’s best cities – earlier this year it was named THE best city by Tripadvisor.
Almost as many as 80,000 people visit every day to see its historic landmarks like Big Ben, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge.
Or its more modern ones like the London Eye, The Shard and the Sky Garden.
And if you want some ideas on what to do in the capital for all ages, Sun Travel has some recommendations for you from its attractions to rooftop bars and free things to do.
The next UK city in the top 100 is Edinburgh in Scotland which came 71st on the list.
The historic city has cobbled streets – one of which being the Royal Mile which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Edinburgh also has around 385 pubs, plenty of cafes, independent shops and of course it’s hilltop castle.
Another activity that lots of visitors embark on during a trip to Edinburgh is the hike up to Arthur’s Seat.
The extinct volcano is the highest peak in Holyrood Park just east of the city and you can see across the whole city from above.
Coming in at number 90 on the list is the city of Manchester – it was also named one of the world’s up-and-coming cities.
The publication described the city as “booming” thanks to its “productivity growth”.
It was also praised for its “thriving cultural scene” thanks to its two football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United – as well as Co Op Live and AO Arena which both hold live events.
For more on what to do in Manchester, one local has lots of recommendations like exploring Warehouse Project for seeing live bands or DJs and stopping by the bars on Canal Street.
Just about making the list is the city of Cambridge which placed in 100th position.
The city in the East of England is most famous for its prestigious university which is often ranked as being one of the best in the world.
Popular activities include exploring the historic colleges, punting along the River Cam and exploring the shops and its many pubs.
One of which, The Eagle, is where Francis Crick and James Watson burst in to announce they discovered the DNA.
Other cities that deserve a mention are Dublin in Ireland which came in at number six.
It’s is largely known around the world for its lively nightlife, but it also has world-class museums, restaurants and historical sites.
Also in the top 10 were Paris and Zurich, as well as Tokyo in Japan and American cities, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.
Within the top 100, Europe represents almost half with 44 cities, a lot also belong in North America with its 34 cities making the list.
There are the top 100 cities according to Oxford Economics…
- New York City, USA
- London, UK
- Paris, France
- Seattle, USA
- San Francisco, USA
- Dublin, Ireland
- Boston, USA
- San Jose, USA
- Tokyo, Japan
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Oslo, Norway
- Los Angeles, USA
- Sydney, Australia
- Washington DC, USA
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Melbourne, Australia
- Dallas, USA
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Munich, Germany
- Toronto, Canada
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Berlin, Germany
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Vancouver, Canada
- Brussels, Belgium
- Helsinki, Finland
- Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Houston, USA
- Singapore, Singapore
- Madrid, Spain
- Atlanta, USA
- Denver, USA
- Minneapolis, USA
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Vienna, Austria
- Brisbane, Australia
- San Diego, USA
- Seoul, South Korea
- Hamburg, Germany
- Bergen, Norway
- Phoenix, USA
- Dubai, UAE
- Basel, Switzerland
- Perth, Australia
- Canberra, Australia
- Austin, USA
- Chicago, USA
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Bern, Switzerland
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Prague, Czechia
- Miami, USA
- Portland, USA
- Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Philadelphia, USA
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Lausanne, Switzerland
- Salt Lake City, USA
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Warsaw, Poland
- Montreal, Canada
- Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Nashville, USA
- Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Ghent, Belgium
- Calgary, Canada
- Adelaide, Australia
- Edinburgh, UK
- Barcelona, Spain
- Charlotte, USA
- The Hague, the Netherlands
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Aarhus, Denmark
- Malmo, Sweden
- Gold Coast, Australia
- Baltimore, USA
- Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Orlando, USA
- Colombus, USA
- Osaka-Kyoto, Japan
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Raleigh, USA
- Milan, Italy
- Hong Kong, China
- Lyon, France
- Las Vegas, USA
- Manchester, UK
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Tampa, USA
- Shenzhen, China
- Riverside, USA
- Madison, USA
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Stuttgart, Germany
- Düsseldorf, Germany
- Linz, Austria
- Cambridge, UK