According to the ranking compiled by Time Out, the top 20 cultural cities worldwide include 9 in Europe, 6 of which feature in the top 10. London secured first place thanks to significant expansions of cultural venues, including the new branches of the V&A East Museum and the Museum of London, set to open in 2026. The city is also characterized by an active theater scene and high engagement with museums and galleries — 90%, 88%, and 81% among local residents, respectively.
Paris, which placed second, received the maximum possible cultural rating, with 100% of respondents giving a positive evaluation of the city’s cultural scene. Notable events include the “Matisse” exhibition at the Grand Palais and “A Hundred Years of Art Deco” at the Museum of Decorative Arts.
Berlin, in fourth place, retains its status as a hub of radical artistic expression, illustrated by events such as “Rave the Planet” and “Karneval der Kulturen,” as well as the bicentennial celebration of Museum Island.
Other European cities in the top ten include Madrid (8th), noted for the Prado and Reina Sofia Museums and a high cultural engagement rating (91%); Florence (9th), showcasing a retrospective of Mark Rothko’s works; and Krakow (10th), attracting attention with its Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture and high accessibility to cultural events.
Overall, the ranking of the world’s best cultural cities includes London, Paris, New York, Berlin, Cape Town, Melbourne, São Paulo, Madrid, Florence, Krakow, and other cities renowned for their vibrant and diverse cultural scenes.