(CNN) – It's the city that stars in all your favorite TV shows and movies, the inspiration for countless songs and works of art, and one of the world's most famous travel destinations.
It is therefore not surprising that Time Out has chosen New York as the best city for 2024.
Time Out surveyed around 20,000 city dwellers around the world, as well as its global network of writers and editors, to compile its latest list of the best cities in the world.
Things to take into account include the cities' gastronomy, architecture and cultural offerings.
The aim, says Time Out, is to provide “travel inspiration” but also a “global snapshot of city life”.
Time Out cites New York's plethora of museums and thriving theater scene as reasons why the American city took first place this year. New York's global reputation also played a role: the city was ranked as the place other city dwellers around the world would most like to move to.
A city of contrasts
Coming in second on Time Out's list is Cape Town, South Africa, a city that, according to Time Out, was rated “beautiful” by “every single person surveyed,” no doubt thanks to its stunning combination of sea, cityscape and spectacular mountain surroundings.
Cape Town was chosen for its “beautiful” combination of landscapes. Photo credit: Image Professionals GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo
Time Out particularly highlighted Cape Town's cultural offerings, from the museum nights in the summer months to the theater and comedy offerings at the Theater on the Bay and the newly opened Time Out Market Cape Town.
Katy Scott, who grew up in Cape Town and now lives in France, tells CNN Travel that she thinks the city is “perhaps the most unpretentious coastal city in the world” and praises the opportunities to get out into nature and the “top restaurants.” . World-class wineries, pristine wineries and luxurious nightlife.
But Scott also points out that “these things are not accessible to most citizens.”
“South Africa may be celebrating 30 years of democracy, but inequality in cities like Cape Town is greater than ever,” says Scott.
With that in mind, Scott advises that “to truly understand the city and its people,” visitors should “get out of the tourist bubble and take a trip to Robben Island or the District Six Museum,” two places Time Out recommends at this address History of South African apartheid.
“Both locations offer a unique and powerful insight into South African history,” says Scott.
Rounding out Time Out's top five are Berlin, Germany, which is praised for its lively nightlife; London, United Kingdom, is praised for its “legendary” pubs and free museums and galleries; and Madrid, Spain, with an “exceptional” food and beverage offering, according to Time Out.
Madrid came in fifth place due to its wonderful nightlife and dining options. Photo credit: Sylvain Sonnet/The Image Bank unpublished/Getty Images
The smaller cities include Liverpool (7) and Porto (10). Porto was particularly cited by Time Out respondents as a great city for “romance.”
Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, said in a statement that all the cities on the list had in common their “strong community spirit and undeniable atmosphere.”
Plaza de la Constitución, also known as Zócalo, Mexico City. Photo credit: bpperry/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
Mexico City ranked sixth for its “liveability.”
The 10 Best Cities According to Time Out
1. New York, USA
2. Cape Town, South Africa
3. Berlin, Germany
4. London, United Kingdom
5. Madrid, Spain
6. Mexico City, Mexico
7. Liverpool, United Kingdom
8. Tokyo, Japan
9. Rome, Italy
10. Porto, Portugal