- Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture with Intrepid Travel highlights the world’s top cultural destinations, as voted by locals.
- Top spot goes to London, thanks to its free world-class museums, evolving cultural spaces and a standout year-round cultural programme.
- Paris ranks second as a global cultural powerhouse, with hotly anticipated exhibitions and neighbourhood galleries making art accessible across disciplines.
- Coming in third, New York is a leading cultural capital, driven by leading museums, galleries and a globally influential arts scene, with major 2026 exhibitions across the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum.
London has been named the number one city for culture in Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture 2026.
Recognised for the scale, quality and accessibility of its cultural scene, the UK capital embraces diverse communities and historic landmarks, alongside an extraordinary range of world-class museums and galleries – many of them free to visit.
It’s also a city that’s constantly moving forward, with new cultural spaces opening and established institutions continuing to evolve. From blockbuster West End shows and live music every night of the week to grassroots comedy and performance, London delivers culture in all its forms, every day of the year.
Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture is an established ranking that highlights the world’s leading cultural destinations, drawing on the views of more than 24,000 city residents worldwide and insights from a global panel of Time Out experts and editors.
1. London, United Kingdom
No other city offers so many elite galleries and museums that are entirely free to visit – and new ones, all free and world-class, are still appearing all the time. The just-opened V&A East and V&A East Storehouse bring cutting-edge relevance to the East End, while the Museum of London reopens in its new Smithfield location later this year. London’s theatre scene is legendary, with the West End packed with A-list acting talent; free comedy nights offer the chance to spot the next big thing; and live music spans everything from avant-garde jazz to hyper-pop and death metal. London’s cultural dominance is reflected in the numbers too, earning a 95% Time Out expert rating and near-unanimous praise from locals (99%), with standout scores for theatre (90%), museums (88%) and galleries (81%), while a notable 60% also consider it affordable – impressive for such an expensive city.
2. Paris, France
As far back as one can trace, Paris has opened its arms to both illustrious cultural figures and emerging avant-garde talent, offering a mix of grand venues and more intimate spaces. That energy continues in 2026 across painting, photography, architecture and fashion, with major exhibitions including Matisse at the Grand Palais and One Hundred Years of Art Deco at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, alongside Africa Fashion and Lee Miller. Even with the Centre Pompidou under renovation, institutions are reopening and new spaces are emerging, while a walk through Le Marais still offers a kaleidoscopic dive into global contemporary art – often for free. Paris is the only city to earn a perfect culture score in Time Out’s survey, with 100% of locals praising its arts and culture scene. A strong backing from Time Out experts (80%) and world-leading recognition for its museums (97%) cemented Paris’s place on the ranking.
3. New York City, United States
New York’s cultural credentials are unrivalled, with world-renowned museums, cutting-edge galleries, theatre, literature and a music scene that has shaped global culture. In 2026, the city will host a major Raphael exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a landmark Marcel Duchamp retrospective at MoMA and a striking showcase of Iris Van Herpen at the Brooklyn Museum. Beyond gallery walls, public art continues to animate the city’s streets and parks, proving that in New York, great art can be found anywhere and everywhere. A 93% approval rating from New Yorkers and 80% from Time Out experts highlight the city’s cultural clout. After London and Madrid, it’s the third-best city in the world for theatre, but it was the city’s museums that received top marks from locals (85%).
4. Berlin, Germany
Going against the grain defines culture in Berlin and the city is still a hotbed for radical artistic expression in 2026. That spirit plays out across the year through major events including Rave the Planet, Christopher Street Day and May Day, alongside global festivals such as Karneval der Kulturen and Fête de la Musique. With international audiences gathering for the Berlinale, Berlin Art Week and the International Literature Festival, and Museum Island continuing its 200th-anniversary celebrations, the city remains a hub for both heritage and experimentation. Berlin’s cultural strength is underscored by an 83% approval from locals and a joint-second global ranking from Time Out experts; while over half of the locals Time Out surveyed in Berlin deem the city’s art scene affordable, and 70% highlighted its museums as its standout asset.
5. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town’s culture scene is deeply layered and constantly evolving. From Zeitz MOCAA and the Norval Foundation to institutions like the Baxter and Artscape, the city supports a thriving visual and performing arts landscape, while the Labia remains a beloved home for independent cinema. Events such as the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and First Thursdays draw global attention, alongside new cultural moments that continue to refresh and redefine the city’s creative energy. An 84% approval rating from Capetonians underscores the city’s cultural appeal, alongside a strong affordability score (60%) and standout recognition for festivals (57%) and live music (59%).
6. Melbourne, Australia
Long considered Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne’s arts scene spans world-class galleries, indie theatre and free live music. In 2026, major exhibitions at the NGV and the return of flagship arts festival Rising bring large-scale installations and performances to the city. Alongside these headline events, smaller venues and independent spaces continue to shape its creative identity, making it one of the most dynamic cultural destinations right now. Melbourne received a 92% approval rating from locals, and the city also earned the third-highest number of votes from Time Out’s panel of experts, plus strong scores for theatre (64%), live music (61%) and art galleries (60%).
7. São Paulo, Brazil
Balancing historic institutions with a dynamic contemporary market, São Paulo’s visual arts scene is anchored by major museums such as MASP and the Pinacoteca. Spaces like Instituto Tomie Ohtake and MAM broaden the conversation around contemporary art, while Latin America’s biggest art fair SP-Arte and the city’s leading galleries foster international exchange. With independent spaces, residencies and street art adding further layers, the city stands as one of the key centres of visual arts in Latin America. São Paulo received a 69% quality rating from locals for its arts and culture scene, and 66% for affordability. It also ranks as the fourth-favourite cultural city among Time Out experts, with locals highlighting live music (58%) as its standout strength.
8. Madrid, Spain
Madrid continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading cultural destinations, combining rich heritage with a vibrant contemporary scene. Alongside institutions like the Prado and Reina Sofía, new and revitalised spaces are adding fresh momentum, while theatre thrives through major festivals and Gran Vía’s iconic musical stage. With global music artists choosing Madrid for major performances, the city’s cultural influence continues to grow across both stage and screen. Madrid ranks among the highest-scoring cities for culture, with 91% of locals rating its arts and culture scene as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, and 90% naming its world-class museums as its strongest cultural asset, followed by theatre (84%).
9. Florence, Italy
Synonymous with Renaissance art and architecture, Florence offers an unparalleled concentration of historic treasures across its galleries, churches and streets. Alongside the city’s dizzying cultural heritage, this year major exhibitions such as Palazzo Strozzi’s Mark Rothko retrospective bring modern art into focus, while in the summer months, open-air opera, jazz and cinema animate Florence’s piazzas and gardens. According to Time Out’s survey, museums (78%) and art galleries (63%) define Florence’s cultural appeal, with 72% of Florentines rating its arts scene positively and the same proportion highlighting its affordability. Very fitting for a city that feels like an open-air museum.
10. Kraków, Poland
Once a royal capital, Kraków remains Poland’s cultural heart, with its UNESCO-listed Old Town showcasing Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture alongside the rich heritage of Kazimierz and the revitalised district of Zabłocie. Major institutions like the Czartoryski Museum and Wawel Castle preserve the city’s artistic legacy, while festivals such as the Jewish Culture Festival bring its streets to life each summer. Contemporary culture thrives too, with MOCAK and emerging creative districts like Wesoła highlighting Kraków’s evolving artistic scene. Kraków sealed its position in the top 10 for its strong all-round cultural appeal, with 86% of locals rating its scene positively, 79% highlighting its affordability for art, and 67% describing the city as ‘historic’.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said:
“I am thrilled that London has been named the world’s number one city for culture by Time Out. It shows the strength of our incredible cultural offer – from free entry to world-class museums to outstanding theatre, music, dance and live performance – with something for everyone.
Our capital’s cultural life reflects the extraordinary creativity, diversity and global influence that defines our city and contributes billions to the UK economy. It is a key part of what makes our city so special and we will continue to set the standard on the world stage, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said:
“One of the best things about city life is having world-class art and culture on your doorstep, and Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture with Intrepid Travel celebrates the innovation, creativity and legacy of today’s cultural capitals.
This is the tenth anniversary of Time Out’s Best Cities, and the third year we’ve carried out a survey specifically focused on culture. From London to Lisbon, every city that made the ranking this year boasts legendary museums and a thriving performing arts scene, alongside a cultural calendar absolutely jam-packed with exhibitions, festivals and events. Time Out’s experts on the ground have given their lowdown on the cultural highlights not to miss this year, providing travellers with a definitive guide on where to go and what to see in 2026.”
This year’s list is supported by global adventure travel company Intrepid Travel. Joanna Reeve, General Manager UK & Ireland at Intrepid Travel, says:
“Whether it be through music, art, or storytelling, cultural experiences are what allow you to truly connect to a city and its communities. At Intrepid, our local tour guides give travellers an insider’s perspective on the people and stories that bring places to life. The cities in Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture list prove that even in some of the world’s best-known cities, there are still new and exciting ways to experience them through a different perspective.”
The full Best Cities for Culture list can be found at https://www.timeout.com/travel/best-cities-for-culture-2026
ENDS
For more information or interviews, please contact bestcities@timeout.com
Notes to Editors
Time Out’s annual list of the Best Cities for Culture reflects what locals and Time Out experts consider the most vibrant and exciting cities. Travelers should always check their own government’s official travel guidance and follow local rules and restrictions before planning a trip, and follow all local rules and restrictions.
Methodology
To rank Time Out’s Best Cities for Culture with Intrepid Travel, Time Out surveyed 24,000 local residents across 150 cities worldwide, alongside input from 100+ Time Out editors and cultural experts.
The final ranking combined 70% local sentiment and 30% expert evaluation, using a weighted scoring model across five pillars:
- Quality of arts and culture, including art, performance and live music
- Affordability of cultural experiences
- How locals describe their city (e.g. beautiful, historic)
- Sense of community
- Expert assessment of each city’s cultural offering in 2026
As part of the research, residents were also asked which aspects of culture their city does best, including museums, art galleries, festivals and carnivals, comedy, theatre, live music, classical music and opera, bookshops and literary events, and street art.
To ensure global representation, only the highest-scoring city in each country was included in the final ranking.
Top 20 Best Cities for Culture in the World
- London, United Kingdom
- Paris, France
- New York City, United States
- Berlin, Germany
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Melbourne, Australia
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Madrid, Spain
- Florence, Italy
- Kraków, Poland
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Marrakesh, Morocco
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Athens, Greece
- Cairo, Egypt
- Beijing, China
- Jaipur, India
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Lisbon, Portugal
The full list of 20 Best Cities for Culture is available at https://www.timeout.com/travel/best-cities-for-culture-2026
About Time Out Group
Time Out Group is a global brand that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city. Time Out launched in London in 1968 to help people discover the best of the city – today it is the only global brand dedicated to city life. Expert journalists curate and create content about the best things to Do, See and Eat across over 350 cities in over 50 countries and across a unique multi-platform model spanning both digital and physical channels. Time Out Market is the world’s first editorially curated food and cultural market, bringing a city’s best chefs, restaurateurs and unique cultural experiences together under one roof. There are currently Markets in 12 cities including Lisbon, New York and Dubai, with several new locations expected to open in 2026 and beyond, in addition to a pipeline of further locations in advanced discussions. Time Out Group PLC, listed on AIM, is headquartered in London (UK).
About Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for more than 35 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of country offices in 33 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognised for their commitment to transparency and ethical travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018, and their not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has disbursed more than £9.7million to more than 160 partners. In December 2025, Intrepid was named a Which? Recommended Provider for Escorted Tours.
For more information, download the company’s 2024 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.
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