My 12 Favourite Cities within the World

Up to date: 8/4/2019 | August 4th, 2019 (Orignally posted in 2011)

While you journey for a residing, you get requested loads of questions as you bounce from one hostel to a different. The highest one: what’s your favourite nation?

The second most requested query: what’s your favourite metropolis?

I’ve spent a very long time touring the world and have been to tons of upon tons of of cities on the earth. There are such a lot of that I like for a lot of completely different causes – some for artwork, some for historical past, some for the meals, most for the folks.

However, to me, those that stand out essentially the most are those the place I really feel most at dwelling. They’re locations I go to and really feel linked too. Their vitality and my vitality match. I transfer round them with ease, I really feel at one with the tradition, and tempo of town.

I feel to myself “Yeah, I might dwell right here.” Not simply go to however dwell.

And, after I assume that, then I do know I’ve discovered a particular place.

So what are my favourite cities on the earth? The place are the locations I really feel that manner? They’re right here:

 

1. Amsterdam

I can’t say precisely what number of instances I’ve been to Amsterdam, but it surely’s within the double digits. And, for a short time on the finish of 2006, I lived there as an expert poker participant (Severely. It’s one of many extra attention-grabbing random info about me!).

The fast-paced life, pleasant locals, easy accessibility to the remainder of Europe, picturesque canals, and nice structure preserve me coming again. Plus, it being Amsterdam and all, there are tons of bizarre and quirky matters to see and do there too!

In some methods, Amsterdam jogs my memory of my hometown of Boston, which is perhaps why I like it a lot. The brick buildings, fast-moving folks, austere vibe. It looks like dwelling.

Favourite exercise: Boating by way of the canals with associates.

Visiting Amsterdam? Try my full funds journey information to Amsterdam! It’s tons of of pages lengthy and can provide help to plan the very best journey there!
 

2. Paris

Ever since I stepped out on the Champs Elysées, I knew Paris was it. It was every thing I dreamed it could be I used to be in love from the primary second. Positive, Paris is giant and costly and bursting with vacationers. However what massive metropolis isn’t like that?

Paris is gorgeous, vibrant, and stuffed with nice meals and historical past. Being right here is like being in a real-life romantic comedy. I like town a lot I even moved there for chunk of 2019. It actually does dwell as much as all of the hype, particularly while you transfer away from the vacationer areas and into the native locations extra.

Favourite exercise: Choosing up some good meals on the market and having a picnic.

Get my full funds journey information to Paris and plan the proper journey! It’s tons of of pages lengthy and can provide help to plan the very best journey there!
 

3. Bangkok

I hated Bangkok the primary few instances I traveled there. It was merely a unclean, polluted metropolis with no redeeming qualities. It wasn’t till I moved there that I fell in love with it.

Bangkok, it seems, is a simple metropolis to dwell in — there’s heaps to do, loads of occasions, nice bars, great meals (nothing beats Thai road meals), and much more great folks. It’s only a unhealthy vacationer metropolis. There’s simply not lots to do there for a vacationer. It’s a metropolis you reside in.

Residing in Bangkok confirmed me that appears will be deceiving and that there’s extra to a metropolis than what you see on the floor. You simply must be prepared to look somewhat deeper.

And, while you do, you at all times discover one thing particular.

Favourite exercise: Dwell music at Brick Bar or consuming noodles at a road stall.

In case you’re visiting Bangkok, try my full funds journey information to Bangkok! It has every thing I do know in regards to the metropolis in a single straightforward place.
 

4. Stockholm

I’ve a robust affinity for all matters Scandinavian, and Stockholm is not any exception. I’ve been there a handful of instances through the years, and I even tried to maneuver there years in the past (it didn’t work out).

I feel this metropolis is likely one of the most stunning I’ve ever seen. The reds and greens of the buildings have an Outdated World allure that rivals cities like Prague, and in the course of the fall, the altering leaves solely spotlight that magnificence.

Stockholm can be very historic, with a top quality of life, and the Swedes within the metropolis are tremendous pleasant and welcoming. It’s not an inexpensive metropolis to go to, but it surely’s price each penny!

Favourite exercise: Getting misplaced within the maze of historic streets in Gamla Stan.

Try my funds journey guidebook to Stockholm and plan your journey immediately!
 

5. New York Metropolis

New York Metropolis is a spot the place goals are made into actuality and there may be at all times one thing to do, one thing to see, or a new place to eat. The town is so multicultural that after I really feel like I have to journey however I can’t, there’s an ethnic space of town that may give me my repair.

I like NYC. It’s the coronary heart of the world to me. It’s a continuous place the place you come to make it on the earth. You may at all times discover one thing to do, world-class meals, folks from all walks of life, and only a hustler vibe.

I spent shut to 5 years residing there and go to at the very least as soon as a month (after I can).

It’s the metropolis you see within the films.

Favourite exercise: Strolling the Excessive Line and cooling off with drinks on the Gray Mare. (Inform Marcos I say hello!)

Since I spent a lot time there, I wrote a funds journey guidebook to New York Metropolis! Decide it up for all of the insider information you want!
 

6. Chicago

After NYC, Chicago might be my favourite US metropolis, particularly in the summertime time.

Whereas the winter months right here will be brutal, this lakeside metropolis appears to return to life after it emerges from its lengthy and chilly winter. Together with its vigorous ambiance, the meals right here is scrumptious and the structure is second to none. There’s a vibrant vitality in the course of the summertime as everyone seems to be out within the parks, cafes, rooftop bars, on the lake, and watching the Cubs.

Chicago is simply superior.

Favourite exercise: Going to a Cubs sport!

For extra, learn our vacation spot information to Chicago and begin planning your journey immediately.
 

7. Vancouver

I feel this should be one of the livable cities on the earth. I’d definitely dwell in it, which is my benchmark for whether or not or not I actually like a spot. In Vancouver, you may go from town into the mountains in minutes. I feel that’s actually the spotlight of town for me — the truth that I don’t must go far to be with nature.

Not solely is there unbelievable nature close by however there’s a park so massive in the course of town, I typically really feel like I’m within the heart of a forest. Add in a vibrant meals and artwork scene, and Vancouver is unquestionably a world-class metropolis. It’s not an inexpensive metropolis to dwell in, however that’s the worth for all of the superb matters Vancouver has to supply!

Favourite exercise: Hanging out on Granville Island or strolling round Stanley Park.

Learn our desintation information to Vancouver and begin planning your journey immediately.
 

8. Queenstown

Perched on a lake within the beautiful South Island mountains of New Zealand, Queenstown is a high-energy resort city for adventurers. This isn’t your typical metropolis, as vacationers come right here as a result of they wish to be outdoors. There’s bungy leaping, mountaineering, rafting, zip-lining, boating, and tons extra. It’s a paradise for the outdoorsy sort and the proper metropolis for individuals who don’t like massive, crowded cities.

The town and surrounding space are postcard-perfect (very similar to the remainder of the nation! I’d leap on a aircraft and head again there proper now if I might.

Favourite exercise: Climbing the encircling mountains.

Learn our information to Queenstown to plan your subsequent journey there.
 

9. Perth

Perth, Australia, is extra like a giant city than a metropolis — and I feel that’s what I like about it. It’s large enough to have lots to do however sufficiently small to really feel cozy. I like Perth due to that small-town, big-city really feel and for the truth that it’s on the water and has an incredible nightlife.

Not solely that, however Perth is a good jumping-off spot to see the western Australian parks and pure websites, and it’s additionally near hip Freemantle, which is dwelling to my favourite Australian brewery: Little Creatures. I discover it way more private than different cities in Australia.

Favourite exercise: Enjoyable on the seaside

Learn our funds journey information to Perth for extra data!
 

10. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is likely one of the finest cities on the earth for foodies. I at all times cease in after I’m in Asia and stuff my face with among the finest dumplings on the earth. The town is busy and dense (it’s one of the densely populated locations on the planet) but it surely has a enjoyable nightlife and tons of actions to maintain you entertained, from markets to temples to close by hikes outdoors town.

Whereas town gives an attention-grabbing combine between japanese and western cultures, what actually units Hong Kong aside from different large, dense cities is simply how clear and well-organized it’s. Getting round is a breeze, making it a simple and enjoyable place to probe for a couple of days — or extra!

Favourite exercise: Consuming dumplings!

Get my comprhensive funds journey information to Hong Kong and know all the very best native spots to go to!
 

11. Reykjavik

Iceland is likely one of the most costly international locations on the earth. As a funds traveler, you’d assume that might preserve me away however let me inform you one thing: it’s completely well worth the worth.

Reykjavik has tons of cozy cafes, wild golf equipment, cute structure, and pleasant pubs. It’s tiny, but you may simply spend a couple of days right here and never get bored (particularly in case you’re an evening owl. Icelanders like to occasion).

Happily, because the tourism business grows, there are increasingly more free (or low-cost) matters to do within the metropolis. And with Icelandair providing free stopovers on flights between North America and Europe, it’s by no means been simpler to go to this charming Scandinavia capital.

Favourite exercise: Cozying up in a restaurant to learn and other people watch.

Get my complete funds journey information to Iceland right here!
 

12. London

As a historical past nerd, I’ve at all times liked visiting London. A few of the finest museums on the earth are there — and they’re all free (there are tons of different free matters to see and do as nicely).

Nevertheless it wasn’t till final yr after I spent a month within the metropolis that I actually “received” it. I understood why folks liked it. There was an enthralling sophistication to the place.

Strolling the streets of town, having fun with the markets, taking within the historical past of the place, laying within the park, and having a pint outdoors a pub? Heaven.

Paris will at all times have my coronary heart however London comes shut.

Favourite exercise: Visiting as many museums as I can after which consuming at a pub.

Try our journey information to London to plan your journey.

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There are you’ve it! My favourite cities on the earth. Go away a touch upon this submit and let me know what your favorites are – and why!

 
 
P.S. – I simply launched a brand new e-book! It’s known as “Ten Years a Nomad” and it’s about my ten years backpacking the world and the teachings I discovered from it. It options tons of tales I’ve by no means advised on this weblog and is a e-book that delves into the why of journey! Click on right here to be taught extra, seize your copy immediately, and meet me on my e-book tour!

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