The World’s Top 15 Cities in 2018

Sergio Mendoza Hochmann/Getty Images

What makes a city truly great? Jaw-dropping architecture, distinctive restaurants, a rich array of cultural offerings, and intriguing shops are a must. A teeming street life, a friendly population, and a harmonious relationship with nature are equally essential. The cities that make up our list of the best in the world, as voted by T+L readers, have these qualities to spare.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated cities on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.

Related: The 2018 World's Best Awards

In 2018, Mexico reigns supreme. For the second year in a row, San Miguel de Allende, a colonial oasis in the country’s central highlands, comes in first place. (Its appearance atop our 2017 list was a first in the awards’ 23-year history.) Meanwhile, Oaxaca has climbed to second place, and Mexico City is making a welcome return to the top 15. “Mexico City is beautiful,” one T+L reader wrote. “Even though it’s overpopulated and the traffic can sometimes be a challenge, the culture and history outweigh any inconveniences. The food is outstanding and can really be eye-opening.”

India and Southeast Asia continue to cast a spell over travelers, who singled out the romantic lakeside Indian city of Udaipur; Ubud, Bali’s spiritual center; and Chiang Mai, a laid-back city of temples and tuk-tuks in the mountains of Thailand. “Chiang Mai is a great city to visit if you’re looking for a more relaxed feel, but it’s still big enough to have plenty of shopping and restaurants,” one T+L reader said. “We visited an elephant sanctuary outside the city, which was something I’ve always wanted to check off my bucket list.”

Of course, some cities never go out of style. Florence; Rome; Kyoto, Japan; and Charleston, South Carolina — the only city in the United States to make the top 15 — are World’s Best perennials that reappear here.

Read on to see the full list of reader-favorite cities around the globe, and find out how they scored.

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15. Beirut, Lebanon

Etiole Square and Mosque Al Amin, Beirut, Lebanon

Maremagnum/Getty Images

Score: 87.04

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14. Istanbul

Moment RF/Getty Images

Score: 87.09

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13. Rome

Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Italy

Francesco Iacobelli/Getty Images

Score: 87.16

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12. Cape Town

Sergio Amiti/Getty Images

Score: 87.63

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11. Mexico City

Nikolas Antoniou/Getty Images

Score: 87.65

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10. Charleston, South Carolina

Jordan Banks/Getty Images

Score: 87.79

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9. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Evgeny Ermakov/Getty Images

Score: 87.93

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8. Hoi An, Vietnam

John Harper/Getty Images

Score: 88.09

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7. Luang Prabang

Manfred Gottschalk/Getty Images

Score: Laos, 88.20

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6. Florence

Nagy Melinda/Getty Images

Score: 88.29

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5. Kyoto, Japan

Yasaka Pagoda and Sannen Zaka Street, Kyoto, Japan

Prasit photo/Getty Images

Score: 88.42

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4. Ubud, Indonesia

Pura Taman Saraswati Temple, Ubud, Indonesia

Job Jansweijer/Getty Images

Score: 88.74

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3. Udaipur, India

Palace and Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

HADI ZAHER/Getty Images

Score: 89.31

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2. Oaxaca, Mexico

Melissa Kuhnell/Getty Images

Score: 90.52

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1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Sergio Mendoza Hochmann/Getty Images

Score: 91.94

It’s no wonder that San Miguel de Allende has topped T+L’s list of the world’s best cities for two years in a row. With its colorful, flower-festooned architecture and cobblestoned streets, San Miguel has the feel of a village, but its large population of artists lends it a cosmopolitan air. “This is one of the best cities in the world,” one T+L reader wrote. “There are lots of stores selling local artisan crafts, jewelry, and art. Bring an extra suitcase!”

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2018.

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The World’s Top 15 Cities in 2018