Which is the most exciting city in the world?
That is one of the most difficult questions to answer by any stretch of the imagination. Why? Because it’s all relative. Not everything that would make a city exciting for one person would elicit the same reaction from another.
Say for example you think that for a city to even show up on your radar it has to have the best chefs with amazing dining opportunities, an exemplary entertainment scene and a flawless transportation system.
Your friends, on the other hand, are all about the weird attractions or how remote that city is from the rest of the world. Granted, sometimes, these criteria overlap and you come across places like Hallstatt in Austria where the fiercely gorgeous scenery and wonderful spa facilities are matched only by the intensity of the cold and unbelievably beautiful architecture.
What makes this question even more difficult to answer is the fact that any of the cities that come under consideration for the coveted title of “most exciting city in the world” are full of people. These people, within those individual cities, will swear up and down the street that “their” city is the most exciting.
You see, people are full of contradictions and self-serving biases through no fault of their own. After all, you will most likely only see the world as you are as opposed to how it actually is in reality.
So, which is the most exciting city in the world? In all honesty, there is no way to know for sure. The closest you can hope to come to answering that question is to go by the results of a survey conducted on thousands of city dwellers from across the globe.
Time Out Magazine quizzed 34,000 city-dwellers from across the globe. We are talking about major cities all over the place: Cape Town, Tokyo, Madrid, New York, Melbourne and even Tel Aviv. These people were all asked about the sort of thing that would make a city exciting and the categories ranged from:
- Food and drinks.
- Nightlife.
- Culture.
- Neighbourhoods.
- Sense of community.
- Affordability.
- Beauty.
- Overall happiness.
The magazine then posed the same question to its editors who lived in these cities and gauged the answers. As it turns out, New York is the most exciting city in the world. New York’s most outstanding characteristics included the fact that it’s as culturally diverse as it gets, it has an exciting nightlife that never ends and you can find all types of food and drinks from all over the world.
Some of the Most Exciting Cities in the World
Stepping away from the “Big Apple” for a second, let’s take a look around the world to see some of the other most exciting cities and what you can do there:
1. Tokyo, Japan
With 38 million residents, Tokyo continues to hold the title as the largest city in the world. Not only is Tokyo beautifully designed but it also clean, technologically advanced and rather busy (in a good way). If you only had one day to experience the city you will undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the sheer number of exciting options on offer. From the enormous shopping centres to beautifully neon-lit streets, musical events and all-around dynamic nightlife.
If you only had one night, be sure to visit “Shinjuku”. A city within the city and a place that never sleeps. It has a host of eateries, dance bars, pubs and eclectic shows that never end.
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2. Bonn, Germany
If you are a fan of classical music (Beethoven, to be precise) then you will absolutely love the city of Bonn, Germany. Let’s forget about the fact that the city is predominantly green, has an efficient public transportation system and some amazing German architecture on display for a second. Let’s talk about the fact that it’s home to some of the best classical music theatres in the world – Theatre Bonn, for instance.
In commemoration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the city will hold a year-round line up of beautiful orchestras featuring some of the best conductors and soloists the world has ever known.
3. Paris, France
As original, as you would like a list like this to be, there are just some highly popular and staple names that you simply must mention. Paris, France is one of those highly popular places that almost every traveller longs to visit at least once in their lifetime. Commonly known as the fashion capital of the world, Paris is as exciting as it is full of culture.
The city itself is gorgeous beyond belief and riddled with iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower. Whether you want to gawk at some of the most exquisite fashion pieces or just want to taste good food, you will find it all in Paris. From an endless list of world-class restaurants like Les Philosophes and Café Trama, to terrace lounges, cabarets, cafes and even flower-filled green gardens, the city of love doesn’t know how to disappoint.
4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It’s virtually impossible to have a list like this that doesn’t include Dubai. This Middle Eastern gem is something of a unique breed in its own right. For starters, its rich Arabic culture seems to harmoniously coexist with a growing Western lifestyle (something that you won’t easily find anywhere else in the Middle East).
Furthermore, Dubai has a love for everything luxurious and grand. From the shopping malls to the highways and even the buildings. If you ever want to stand on top of the world and not freeze your fingers off (Mt. Everest), just head to the Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building) in Dubai.
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5. Cairo, Egypt
Who hasn’t heard of the vast wealth of the Pharaohs or the enchanting stories of the Pyramids? As a country, Egypt has mindboggling mysteries that still need solving. That is precisely why Cairo is one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Apart from the weather and the food, there is one other reason why Cairo stands out – it’s home to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) which now hosts the treasures of Tutankhamun and has the distinction of being the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization.
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Do you disagree with this list? We would love to hear your suggestions and additions. Tell us about the most exciting city you know in the comment section below.