Aussie favourite among the world’s ‘most beautiful cities’ for 2026
Kristine Tarbert
Updated . First published at
Time Out has unveiled its list of the most beautiful cities in the world for 2026, after surveying 24,000 locals on whether they’d describe their home as beautiful. Editors said a "city’s beauty comes down to its unique, one-of-a-kind appeal." Here are the top 15, which includes an Aussie favourite.
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15. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil // Rio is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and lively atmosphere. Travellers can enjoy the city's golden beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, framed by Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado Peak with the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
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14. Florence, Italy // Florence feels like a giant open-air museum. Considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, a time of great art and learning. Now, every street is full of history and stunning stone buildings.
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13. Cambridge, UK // Cambridge offers timeless beauty because of its stunning medieval architecture, lush green spaces, and the peaceful River Cam.
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12. Panama City, Panama // This place combines modern architecture and historical charm. You'll find everything from skyscraper-filled skylines, to ancient cobblestone streets, and lush natural rainforests.
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11. San Diego, USA // Aside from having kilometres of sandy Pacific coastline and stunning coastal cliffs, travellers can visit lush city parks, and enjoy a relaxed, outdoor-focused culture, making it one of the most picturesque places in the US.
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10. Riga, Latvia // Time Out editors call Riga a "bloody whimsical place for a stroll" thanks to its Art Nouveau architecture, classic cobbled Old Town and UNESCO-listed Alberta Street.
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9. Medelliń, Colombia // Medelliń blends stunning mountain views with modern city life. Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," its perfect weather which means there’s lush, green nature pretty much everywhere you look.
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8. Porto, Portugal // Porto's dramatic riverfront setting is just the first layer of this city's beauty. "Its buildings are a hodgepodge of colours and textures, from the iconic blue-and-white tiled interior of São Bento Station to weather-beaten homes and the Art Deco Batalha Centro de Cinema," Time Out editors said.
Attribution: iStock
7. Stockholm, Sweden // Stockholm is known as the "Venice of the North." It is built across 14 islands where fresh water meets the sea. The city mixes medieval history with modern, clean design.
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