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.
17. World-class museums and galleries
Alongside history on the street, there's plenty for Edinburgh to boast when it comes to the city's museums and galleries. There's the National Museum of Scotland, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery, National War Museum and even the likes of Camera Obscura and Dynamic Earth. Even if it's pouring down, there's plenty of history and culture to get to grips with in Edinburgh. | National Museums Scotland
18. Shopping
In recent years, Edinburgh has become a go-to for shoppers. Following the opening of St James Quarter in 2021, 40 new relatiers moved into the city centre location, alongside the longstanding high street vibe on Princes Street. There are other shopping hubs across the city including Fort Kinnaird and the Gyle, as well as more quaint independent shops lining the city's Old Town and neighbourhoods such as Leith and Stockbridge. | Contributed Photo: Contributed
19. People
Last but definitely not least - the one thing that makes Edinburgh one of the greatest cities in the world is the people. From chats with strangers at the pub to helpful neighbours, Edinburgh natives welcome everyone and anyone to the city with open arms - whether you've been here your whole life, a newly settled resident, or even just visiting for the weekend. | Getty Images