The travel magazine publishes an annual ranking of the world’s greatest cities, which includes surveying 18,500 locals from across the globe, along with consulting a panel of experts to determine which areas are the best based on nightlife, food, and culture, as well as factors like happiness, access to green space, and walkability.
However, Time Out’s latest best cities list was curated for young people as it filtered the survey responses from those under 30 to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities for Gen Z.
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Topping the list was Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, thanks to its stand-out scores in happiness and affordability.
The top three were rounded out with Melbourne, Australia, with respondents particularly happy with the city’s diversity, and Cape Town, South Africa, with Gen Z being most happy with its coastal beaches.
One Scottish city made the top 10 of Time Out’s list and is the highest-ranking UK city.
Edinburgh was ranked seventh and topped several categories in the survey, receiving the highest score for green spaces and access to nature, according to 95% of twenty-somethings living there, and walkability, with 89% of Gen Z saying the city is conveniently walkable.
The Scottish capital beat out several other top international destinations, including Paris, Berlin, and Chicago. London was the only other UK city to make the top 20, coming in ninth and with a highly rated cultural scene.
Time Out’s full list of the world’s best cities for Gen Z in 2025
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Melbourne, Australia
- Cape Town, South Africa
- New York City, United States
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Barcelona, Spain
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Mexico City, Mexico
- London, United Kingdom
- Shanghai, China
- Sydney, Australia
- Beijing, China
- Paris, France
- Tokyo, Japan
- Berlin, Germany
- Seville, Spain
- Chicago, United States
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Lisbon, Portugal
