(CNN) — It’s one of the most beautiful moments on vacation: the moment you discover that part of the city that is much more popular with locals than with tourists.
Maybe it’s the funky cafe with the best coffee you’ve ever tasted, the underground bar that’s not marked on the street, or the restaurant serving delicious local delicacies you’ve never heard of.
To help you discover even more hidden gems on your next vacation, global media brand Time Out has released their annual list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods.
At the forefront of the 2022 round-up is bustling Colonia Americana in the western Mexico city of Guadalajara. Time Out says the eclectic mix of historic Art Deco mansions and warehouse music venues were key reasons for choosing this neighborhood.
“Guadalajara is emerging as a must-visit, and Colonia Americana is where to be right now,” James Manning, editor of Time Out Travel, said in a statement. “It’s home to a creative community that pushes boundaries, a growing number of fantastic restaurants and some of the best nightclubs in the western hemisphere. And the street life is second to none.”
The Time Out list is the result of an extensive survey that asked thousands of people from around the world about their favorite places in their city. Time Out’s editors also contributed their local expertise to create the ultimate guide, highlighting 51 of the world’s coolest neighborhoods. The top 20 are “in short, amazing places to be right now,” says Time Out.
eclectic neighborhoods
Hot on the heels of Colonia Americana is Lisbon’s riverfront Cais do Sodré, which came in second on the list. Long known for its vibrant nightlife, the Portuguese Quarter is now making a name for itself as a foodie hotspot.
“This is the neighborhood where Lisbon’s most promising young chefs are opening new restaurants,” says Time Out, which lists Quiosque de São Paul and Tricky’s as the best places to eat and drink.
Third in the 2022 summary is the village of Wat Bo in Siem Reap, Cambodia. According to Time Out, the area around the spectacular Wat Bo pagoda has had a “serious shine” over the past year. Boutique hotels Viroth’s and Treeline Urban Resort are highlights, along with restaurant Tevy’s Place, which serves delicious organic fare and also operates as a social enterprise to empower local women.
The top-rated American neighborhood came fourth: Ridgewood in New York City. Time Out says the balance of new bars and restaurants nearby in this Queens neighborhood, along with institutions like Rudy’s Bakery, which opened in 1934, earned it a spot on the 2022 list.
Meanwhile, in Montreal, Canada, Mile End rounds out Time Out’s top five, which is described as a “walkable corner” home to “some of the city’s best restaurants, independent bookstores, florists, butchers, bakeries and candle makers.”
Dave Calhoun, Time Out’s director of content for North America and the UK, said the goal of the annual list is to highlight areas that are not “homogenized corporate goals” but instead “have an independent, welcoming vibe.”
“You can maybe hike through them in half an hour or less, but they’re packed with enough experiences to spend days exploring,” he said.
The 10 coolest neighborhoods according to Time Out
Barrio Yungay, Santiago, Chile: Though it has a reputation for being the capital’s first planned neighborhood, Barrio Yungay is anything but boring. (Photo 593/Adobe Stock)
1. Colonia Americana – Guadalajara, Mexico
2. Cais do Sodre – Lisbon, Portugal
3. Wat Bo Village – Siem Reap, Cambodia
4. Ridgewood – New York City, United States
5 Mile End – Montreal, Canada
6. Logan Neighborhood – San Diego, USA
7. Shimokitazawa – Tokyo, Japan
8. Cliftonville-Margate, UK
9. Yungay District – Santiago, Chile
10. Cours Julien – Marseille, France