The Scottish capital ranked third in Time Out’s Best Cities 2026 list, which ranks cities across the globe based on the views of locals.
Beaten only by Melbourne, Australia, and Shanghai, China, Edinburgh was named as not only the best UK city but also the highest-placed European city.
Explaining the reasons behind Edinburgh’s third-place ranking, Time Out said: “ Edinburgh turns everyday life up a notch, blending historic grandeur with modern vibrancy.
“Built around a towering castle and crowned by an extinct volcano, Edinburgh boasts cherry-blossom-lined parks, cobbled alleyways whose stories stretch back to the medieval period, and distinctive neighbourhoods that offer hours of exploration - from Stockbridge for independent boutiques to Leith for trendy new restaurants.
“The Scottish capital came joint-first for walkability in this year’s survey, meaning it's easy to navigate between comedy shows at the Fringe each August, while a thriving food and arts scene keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. 94% of residents rate the food highly, 91% love the green spaces, and 90% rate its culture, cementing Edinburgh as one of the happiest cities surveyed.”
Of course, we here at Edinburgh Evening News have some clue as to why the city has trumped the likes of Tokyo, London, and New York City in the rankings.
But we firmly believe that there is plenty of reason to have Edinburgh go even further and occupy the number one spot - here are a few of the reasons why Edinburgh is one of the best cities in the world.
5. Michelin-starred food
Edinburgh is host to a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, with the highest proportion of starred restaurants in Scotland. Seven restaurants have achieved the feat, including The Kitchin, Timberyard, LYLA, Condita, AVERY, Heron, and Martin Wishart. With top-class food on your doorstep, why would you need to leave Edinburgh? | Good Food Guide
6. Salt and sauce on your chips
It might not be Michelin -starred cuisine but it may as well be in the eyes of Edinburgh locals! Adding salt and sauce onto your chip shop fare is a quirk of the east coast that goes missing in other chip shops across the country. It's tangy flavour has become a staple of Edinburgh-based shops and leaves a lasting impression on outsiders when they try it for the first time. | Kevin Quinn
7. Fantastic festivals
As much as pushing through the crowds can be irritating at the height of the festivals in Edinburgh, there's no better advert for the city's cultural kudos. From street performers to up-and-coming comedians, to world-class performers and even Oscar-nominated actors, the city is never more buzzing than when the Fringe Festival and Edinburgh International Festival hit town. There's also, of course, the Edinburgh Film Festival, Edinburgh Book Festival, and the Edinburgh TV Festival that cements the city's role as one of the world's cultural hubs. | Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photo: Jeff J Mitchell
8. Contributed
Without a doubt, one of the most impressive events on the Edinburgh calendar is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It earns its own spot on the list for the sheer spectacle that has drawn millions of performers and viewers from across the globe since 1950. Photo: Submitted