Time Out Named the World’s Best Cities for Gen Z
Tokyo has been named the world’s best city for Gen Z in Time Out’s 2026 ranking, followed by Porto and Melbourne. The list draws on responses from around 4,000 residents aged 18 to 29 across 150 cities, covering happiness, affordability, nightlife, culture, walkability and community. Only the highest-scoring city from each country was included, leaving ten European cities in the global top 20.
The Cities Gen Z Rated Highest
- Tokyo, Japan
- Porto, Portugal
- Melbourne, Australia
- Edinburgh, UK
- Shanghai, China
- New York City, US
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Berlin, Germany
- Valencia, Spain
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Naples, Italy
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Kraków, Poland
- Seoul, South Korea
- Paris, France
- Athens, Greece
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Vancouver, Canada
- Vienna, Austria
Due to Time Out’s 2026 ranking, Tokyo led after scoring strongly for happiness and nightlife, although affordability remains a weak point, with only a third of respondents considering a night out affordable. Porto placed second, helped by its sense of community and lower costs for food, drinks, art and culture. Melbourne came third, with 97% of young respondents giving its cultural scene a positive rating.
For younger travellers choosing a city break, the ranking points beyond the usual headline destinations. Porto offers a compact historic centre and Douro riverfront, while Edinburgh combines green space with festivals and nightlife. Valencia, Naples and Kraków also make the top 20, giving European travellers several alternatives where culture, walkability and everyday life scored well with younger locals.
The ranking is best read as a snapshot of how under-30 residents experience their own cities rather than a universal verdict on where to travel. Tokyo’s result shows that expensive nightlife does not necessarily outweigh strong culture and everyday enjoyment, while Porto’s second place puts affordability and community firmly in focus. Those differences make the list useful when matching a destination to budget and travel style.
