Bristol Has Been Named One Of The World’s Best Cities

What makes a city great? For a start, it’s got to be beautiful (tick), have unbelievable food and a buzzing nightlife (tick, tick), and most importantly it’s got to be walkable, creative and full of friendly people (tick, tick, tick). What we’re getting at is we think Bristol is one the world’s best cities, and Time Out thinks so too.

Using thousands of responses from locals, and Time Out’s ‘city experts’, it’s come out with a “definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025.” Surprisingly, South Africa’s Cape Town came out on top, but the list is full of the usual suspects – New York (3rd), London (5th), Shanghai (9th), Amsterdam (16th), and you can probably guess the rest.

Credit: Unsplash

But down in 48th – one spot behind Belfast and ahead of Mumbai – is little ol’ Bristol. It’s great to see our “rebellious and creative” city recognised for the things that have always made it special, like street art, protests, raves, mega festivals and DIY gigs. But Time Out notes how “the city is now moving out of its underground phase and going global.”

This year, it highlights how Bristol is hosting the (Women’s) Rugby World Cup in 2025, as well as welcoming the street food hub Box Hall (maybe, at last?) and its first five-star hotel, Hotel Gotham. Plus, a lengthy list of incredible events: Bristol Light Festival, Love Saves the Day, Upfest, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Harbour Festival, East Bristol Brewery Trail, Bristol Sounds, FORWARDS, Bristol Cocktail Weekend and BS3 Live!

Credit: Martyna Bober, Unsplash

But the world’s best cities aren’t just about ‘what’s going on?’ They’re as much about the vibe and the feeling. According to Time Out, ‘diverse and inclusive’ was the term most locals chose to describe “their famously bohemian city.” Bristolians also rated our food scene highly (83% approval), as well as our arts and culture (75% approval).

To learn more about the world’s best cities of 2025 head here.

Image Credits and Reference: https://secretbristol.com/bristol-worlds-best-cities/