Melbourne has made history by becoming the first Australian city to be named best in the world in Time Out’s annual 50 top cities.

The Victorian capital beat Shanghai, Edinburgh, London and New York to take the honour in the list released late Wednesday.

Melbourne reached the No.2 spot in 2016 and was named fourth best in 2025, when Cape Town took top spot.

Sydney also featured in the 2026 top 50 at No.21, while Adelaide came in at 29.

The annual list is formulated from a survey of more than 24,000 locals in 42 languages about where they live.

Questions covered 44 criteria including food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city ‘vibe’.

An international panel of more than 100 Time Out “city experts” was also asked to name the world’s most exciting cities. 

Melbourne locals gave their hometown a strong overall ‘city rating’ as well as high ‘happiness scores’.

While Melburnians ranked their city particularly high in local responses to statements including, “My city makes me happy” and “I find joy in the everyday experiences where I live”, a massive 94 per cent rated their food scene highly.

Melbourne also scored very highly for criteria including diversity, liveliness, cultural activities, affordability of going out and how well it caters to Gen Z.

“We’re thrilled that Melbourne has outshone the world’s biggest urban centres, and it’s inspiring to see locals themselves backing where they live,” Time Out Asia-Pacific managing director Kaylie Smith said.

“Australia having three cities in the 2026 list is a reminder that although the world is going through challenging times, this country is an exceptional place to live and visit.

“This is recognition that Melbourne has so much going for it, especially when it comes to our food scene, arts and culture, sport and other events, nightlife, free things to do, access to nature and transport.”

Sydney was recognised for its diversity, excellent food and cultural scenes, ever-expanding public transport system and easy access to adventures in nature.

Adelaide was seen as one of the world’s best festival cities, as well as boasting excellent dining and drinking options, walkability and beautiful day trips.

Time Out Melbourne’s Leah Glynn said while no place was perfect, “we’re happy to see that Melbourne locals’ experiences of their home are positive overall”. 

“Melbourne has a roll-call of major sporting events, a huge range of dining and nightlife options, some of [Australia’s] best galleries and cultural festivals, cool neighbourhoods filled with hidden gems, heritage-listed buildings, laneways lined with colourful murals, and
beautiful natural landscapes just a stone’s throw away,” Glynn said.

Time Out 50 best cities

1. Melbourne, Australia
2. Shanghai, China
3. Edinburgh, Britain
4. London, Britain
5. New York, United States
6. Cape Town, South Africa
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Seoul, South Korea
10. Tokyo, Japan
11. Zurich, Switzerland
12. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
13. Copenhagen, Denmark
14. Sao Paolo, Brazil
15. Hong Kong, China
16. Krakow, Poland
17. Porto, Portugal
18. Guadalajara, Mexico
19. Madrid, Spain
20. Valencia, Spain
21. Sydney, Australia
22. Paris, France
23. Singapore, Singapore
24. Marrakesh, Morocco
25. Hanoi, Vietnam
26. Bath, Britain
27. Bilbao, Spain
28. Berlin, Germany
29. Adelaide, Australia
30. Beijing, China