Seoul has been named the world’s best big city in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, the first time it has taken the top spot. In the previous edition it came fifth, and this year it beat cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Paris and Singapore.
More than 798,000 readers took part in the vote, the 39th of its kind. Voters highlighted the city’s 2,000 years of history and its mix of traditional architecture, technology and pop culture. In a separate ranking, Seoul also came third among the world’s friendliest cities.
The accolade follows Time Out magazine’s choice of the Jongno 3-ga neighbourhood as the coolest in the world. Recently, the restoration of Yulgok-ro avenue created an 8,000-square-metre park that reconnected Changgyeong Palace with Jongmyo Shrine for the first time in 90 years.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon said the award was proof that the world recognises the city’s charm. The city government plans to expand night-time cultural walks, local market experiences and activities along the Han River.
