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Original poster

Your favourite city in the world

254 replies

sorryIdidntmeanto · 19/04/2026 23:29

Which is you favourite city in the world? I have three
Bristol - for the music scene, creativity and independent spirit
Munich - for the lakes, cycling culture, climate
Marseille - for the beaches, proximity to Provencal towns and landscape, diversity, and the fact it is in France

OP posts:
Nanda66 · 20/04/2026 21:05

I’m excluding London as I live here.

Paris
Malaga
Glasgow

igelkott2026 · 20/04/2026 21:06

MrsAvocet · 20/04/2026 20:52

For those of you who named Berlin, what’s your reason for doing so? Lemonthyme is the only poster to give an explanation so far. I’d be really interested in what you like about it.
Well there is so much history, from different eras, and it's a place that has had such impact on European and indeed world history. But despite some really dark history - and I don't think there's any attempt to deny or hide that - it's a very vibrant, modern city now that I think looks forwards as well as back to the past. I found it easy to get around, with good public transport, there's some fabulous architecture and lovely green spaces, and there's plenty of good places to eat and interesting things to do - for instance it's home to the Berlin Philharmonic and the zoo is excellent. There's not one stand out thing that I liked about it, it was just then overall feel of the place.
It probably does help that I can speak a bit of German. I mean much like most big cities in Europe there was no shortage of people who speak English but I always feel a bit more confident in places where I can at least read a menu and signposts etc and understand announcements in the railway station. Plus I was lucky enough to be there in spectacularly good weather which I think does influence how you see somewhere. Maybe if it had rained all week I wouldn't list it amongst my favourites!

I really like Berlin too. I spend a lot of time reading books either set there or about German history,.

So in the same way that people say New York is familiar because of films, Berlin is familiar to me because of books eg all the areas, the streets and the attractions. And there is so much to do. I don't think I could ever get fed up of visiting. However, when I last visited I had to queue for an hour at passport control and I dread to think how bad it is now with the EES, so it might be a while before I go again.

Original poster
sorryIdidntmeanto · 20/04/2026 21:11

I agree there is a difference between visiting and living. That's why Venice didn't make my top 3. For living: Bristol, Marseille and Munich. To visit: Istanbul, Venice, Cusco

OP posts:
Tripofalifetimetofall · 20/04/2026 21:12

I adore London, it's intoxicating. Living in it in my 20s was way better than any movie for fun and adventure and love and friendships.

ThatWaryLimePeer · 20/04/2026 21:16

Cape Town.

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 20/04/2026 21:21

Arlanymor · 19/04/2026 23:42

Paris - although so many people on here seem to have had bad experiences. I have been there tons of times now, but the first time it was my birthday and I was with my boyfriend and the waiter asked if we were celebrating as we ordered (the tiniest) bottle of champagne - I was 18 and told him in my stammering French that it was my birthday. They upgraded us to a big bottle, gave us free desserts and sang me Bonne Anniversaire. I go to Paris every other year now for the rugby and I have never been treated with anything but kindness and respect. The French and indeed the Parisians are no different to anyone else! People are people!

Cardiff/Swansea - I did my Masters in Cardiff and I go back for the rugby, but I live in Swansea and I LOVE Swansea. More bohemian, the beach is miles long and right there and ends with Mumbles. I think where I live is wonderful.

Stanley - Falkland Islands, I lived there for four years and wrote the application to make it a city (outing, but do I care?!) Brilliant people who have done so much with their freedom. Challenging and amazing place to live and by and large I had so much love heading to a place where I didn't know a soul.

Agree on Stanley, I went for a month 20+ years ago...loved it. With an honourable mention too for Santiago, had 4 days there

Dappy777 · 20/04/2026 21:21

Treadcarefully11 · 19/04/2026 23:51

Marseille is a bizarre choice. I found it to be a very rough and intimidating city.

Best cities I’ve experienced in no particular order and for very different reasons would be Melbourne, Edinburgh, Berlin, and Torshavn.

I thought it was an odd choice as well. Marseille scared the living daylights out of me.

Arlanymor · 20/04/2026 21:22

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 20/04/2026 21:21

Agree on Stanley, I went for a month 20+ years ago...loved it. With an honourable mention too for Santiago, had 4 days there

Show quote history

Love this!

SwedishEdith · 20/04/2026 21:25

Went to Marseille last year expecting it to be a bit rough and ready and, potentially, scary. But we really loved it. Vibrant and lovely, friendly people.

Ragdoll77 · 20/04/2026 21:30

Bath - I live nearby and I've always loved the architecture. Its such a beautiful city surrounded by gorgeous rolling green hills.

Singapore - we spent 2wks there on holiday a couple of years ago & apart from the humidity there wasn't a thing I didn't like about it!

Vancouver - a proud Canadian showed me a postcard of Vancouver when I was travelling in my early 20s & I vowed to visit as it looked stunning. I've since visited several times and its by far the most beautifully located city with the sea, the city skyline & mountains.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 20/04/2026 21:30

London, Florence, Berlin and Vienna.

Heyhelga · 20/04/2026 21:32

Melbourne. It's got it all.

PinkStarJumps · 20/04/2026 21:34

Cádiz. Beautiful, atmospheric, great food and the sea is always just a few minutes walk away from wherever you are 😊

PinkStarJumps · 20/04/2026 21:35

Cádiz. Beautiful, atmospheric, great food and the sea is always just a few minutes walk away from wherever you are 😊

luckylavender · 20/04/2026 21:36

sorryIdidntmeanto · 19/04/2026 23:29

Which is you favourite city in the world? I have three
Bristol - for the music scene, creativity and independent spirit
Munich - for the lakes, cycling culture, climate
Marseille - for the beaches, proximity to Provencal towns and landscape, diversity, and the fact it is in France

Glad you have 3 as so do I.
Manchester because it has such a great vibe
Paris because it is a magical place & there’s always something new to see
And Bangkok because it is so vibrant.
London narrowly missed out

Dontlletmedownbruce · 20/04/2026 21:40

I was in Ghent recently and I think it was one of the nicest cities I've ever seen.

Stockholm was gorgeous. I keep meaning to go back. It's been a long time and I was there on a back packers budget.

London. I've been 6 or 7 times, never lived there. Friendly people, stunning architecture, great transport.

MadisonAvenue · 20/04/2026 21:45

New York
Manchester
LA - didn’t like it the first time I went but have been several times since and really love it now.

80smonster · 20/04/2026 21:54

I can’t pick: London, New York, Paris, Milan. All for different reasons. London is home though, so trumps the others.

HollyIvie · 20/04/2026 22:19

Venice and Melbourne

Original poster
sorryIdidntmeanto · 20/04/2026 22:22

I'm really interested in other people's choices, and especially if they say why.

I don't see the point in calling other people's choices odd, as they might know the city well. It could be about the life within the city, the geographic location, the music, culture, diversity, climate, ambience, people...

I didn't love living in Madrid, but I can see reasons why people might choose it as a great city. I love the art, the vibrancy, the shopping and the mountains there. I don't love the noise or the edgy parks. Fab place to visit, but not one of my top cities to live in.

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 20/04/2026 22:23

It's a toss up between Athens and Bruges but the weather and the cats of Athens edge it.

(I also love Marseille)

AEIOYOU · 20/04/2026 22:26

Fremantle, Western Australia.

Original poster
sorryIdidntmeanto · 20/04/2026 22:28

I am going to Athens for the first time next year. I can't wait!

OP posts:
realsavagelike · 20/04/2026 23:11

I love all the shoutouts for Vancouver (I call it home). What do people like most about it? I love it here, but rent and house prices are eye watering. I believe it’s the most expensive place to rent in Canada.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 20/04/2026 23:14

York

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