London has just been named by Time Out as the best city in the world for culture.
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Based on the opinions of more than 24,000 city dwellers surveyed around the world, the ranking rewards the British capital for its theater scene as well as its museums and galleries.
Of the top 20 places, nine cities are European, including six in the top 10.
“From London to Lisbon, every city in this year’s ranking boasts legendary museums and a thriving performing arts scene, plus a cultural calendar absolutely jam-packed with exhibitions, festivals and events,†says Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out (English source).
“Time Out experts on the ground provide their advice on the major cultural highlights not to be missed this year, offering travelers a reference guide to the destinations and must-sees of 2026.”
The best cities in the world for culture
#1 : London
Time Out experts explain London’s first place by a series of new cultural openings.
These include the V&A East and the V&A East Storehouse, as well as the reopening later this year of the Museum of London’s new site in Smithfield.
Other notable cultural highlights include the West End, free stand-up nights and live music offerings, which range from avant-garde jazz to death metal.
Around 90% of residents welcome the theater scene, 88% approve of the museums and 81% appreciate the city’s galleries.
N°2 : Paris
The French capital is the only city in the ranking to obtain the maximum score for culture, with 100% of its inhabitants praising the local scene.
The Time Out team cites among the good reasons to go there this year the major exhibitions to come, such as the one dedicated to Matisse at the Grand Palais or “One Hundred Years of Art Déco” at the Museum of Decorative Arts.
N°4: Berlin
“Going against the grain defines culture in Berlin and the city remains in 2026 a bustling hotbed of radical artistic expression,” writes Time Out about the German capital in its ranking.
You can experience it during events like Rave the Planet, Christopher Street Day, May 1st, Karneval der Kulturen or the Music Festival.
Other reasons to visit the city: the Berlinale, Berlin Art Week, the International Literature Festival, as well as the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Museum Island.
More than half of those questioned describe the art scene as affordable, while 70% highlight museums considered particularly remarkable.
No. 8: Madrid
The Spanish capital is “one of Europe’s great cultural destinations” thanks to places like the Prado and the Reina SofÃa, as well as its major festivals.
Among those questioned, 91% judge the artistic and cultural scene to be good or exceptional, 90% praise the museums and 84% highlight the theater.
N°9 : Florence
Renowned for its Renaissance art and architecture, Florence, a true “open-air museum”, has long been an essential stopover for history buffs.
The major exhibitions scheduled this year, including the Mark Rothko retrospective at the Palazzo Strozzi, are the main reason to go (or return) this year.
According to the survey, 78% of residents love museums and 63% love galleries, while 72% consider the art scene affordable.
N°10 : Krakow
Krakow, the second largest city in Poland, nonetheless remains a true cultural power.
Here you can discover the Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture of the Old Town, explore the art scene at the Czartoryski Museum and Wawel Castle, and take part in events like the Jewish Culture Festival.
According to the survey, 86% of residents appreciate the artistic and cultural scene, and 79% find it affordable.
Outside the top 10, Copenhagen comes in 13th, followed by Athens in 15th and Lisbon in 20th.
The complete top 20 according to Time Out
- London
- Paris
- New York
- Berlin
- Cape Town
- Melbourne
- São Paulo
- Madrid
- Florence
- Krakow
- Taipei
- Marrakech
- Copenhagen
- Guadalajara
- Athens
- Cairo
- Pékin
- Jaipur
- Chiang Mai
- Lisbon
