The Spectator Index published a list of the best cities in the world for 2026, ranking Melbourne, Australia first, followed by Shanghai, Edinburgh, London, and New York.
Shanghai, Edinburgh, London and New York all claimed a spot in the top five, but the champion of our Best Cities list for 2026 was Melbourne.
That’s right – Australia’s largest city, is already the country’s sports capital, having hosted the Australian Open (which, in 2026, broke all attendance records), the F1 Australian Grand Prix, AFL Grand Final and the Boxing Day Cricket Test of late.
The city’s coolest streets and neighbourhoods are peppered with kooky galleries, indie cinemas, rooftop bars and vinyl shops, and many also brag colourful murals and world-class gardens. It sits on the Yarra River, which holds cultural significance for the city’s Indigenous communities, and across Melbourne you’ll find everything from historic, heritage-listed buildings (just one part of a lauded cultural scene, according to Melburnians) to a thriving food scene (which 94 percent of locals rank highly) of landmark restaurants and cult-favourite dishes.
But, why should you visit now? Well, ‘With Mad March (as we locals like to call it) in full swing, you can touch down and immediately dive head first into the gastronomic delights of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, laugh ‘til your abs hurt at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival or turn into a floral fanatic at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.’ writes Leah Glynn, Time Out’s Melbourne Editor.
‘Come winter, the NGV will host the largest-ever exhibition of Cartier jewels in a Melbourne exclusive; while spring will feature the first-ever regular season NFL game to be played in Australia, with the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams going head to head at the MCG. In other words: you better book those flights, asap.’ she says.
