"Only in Seoul," Foreigners Rave... Then Seoul Beats Tokyo to Claim 'World's Best Big City' Title

Jongno 3-ga also named the world's coolest neighborhood
Seoul earns repeated acclaim in international travel rankings

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has overtaken Tokyo to claim the No. 1 spot among the “World’s Best Big Cities,” as voted for by travelers worldwide. This is the first time Seoul has topped the category, and the result is seen as further strengthening its position as a world-class tourist destination.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on October 8, the U.S. travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler named Seoul the world’s best big city in its “2026 Readers’ Choice Awards,” announced on October 6 local time.

In fact, Seoul offers a wide range of travel experiences, from historical and cultural heritage sites such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces to Seongsu-dong's stylish commercial spaces, Hongdae's youthful culture, and shopping and tourism in Myeongdong. The global popularity of Korean pop culture, including K-pop, K-dramas and Korean food, is also seen as a factor driving interest in tourism in Seoul. Photo by Cho Yongjun.

Seoul climbed four places from fifth last year, displacing Tokyo, which had topped the rankings for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. Tokyo ranked second this time, followed by Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in third place; Shanghai, China, in fourth; and Sydney, Australia, in fifth. Major cities in traditional tourism powerhouses, including Paris and Singapore, ranked below Seoul.

Condé Nast Traveler is the travel publication of Condé Nast, which publishes global fashion magazines such as Vogue. Now in its 39th year, the Readers’ Choice Awards ask readers to rate cities, hotels, resorts and other destinations based on their own travel experiences. A total of 798,867 votes were counted across all categories this year.

Seoul’s strengths include its distinctive urban culture, where tradition and modernity coexist. In its previous coverage of Seoul, Condé Nast Traveler highlighted the opportunity to experience history and contemporary culture, as well as nature and cutting-edge technology, all in one city.

Indeed, Seoul offers a wide range of travel experiences, from historical and cultural heritage sites such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces to Seongsu-dong’s stylish commercial spaces, Hongdae’s youthful culture, and shopping and tourism in Myeongdong. The global popularity of Korean pop culture, including K-pop, K-dramas and Korean food, is also seen as a factor driving interest in tourism in Seoul.

Seoul rose four places from fifth last year to displace Tokyo, which topped the rankings in 2024 and 2025 for two consecutive years. Tokyo ranked second this time, followed by Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in third place; Shanghai, China, in fourth; and Sydney, Australia, in fifth. The photo shows the Yeouidaero area. Photo by Kang Jinhyeong.

Seoul’s tourism competitiveness has also been recognized in other global rankings. In a travel ranking released last year by global travel platform Tripadvisor, Seoul was named the world’s No. 1 city for solo travel. Seoul received high marks for its urban landscape, where royal palaces and skyscrapers sit alongside traditional markets and large shopping complexes, as well as its efficient subway system and convenient payment options.

The convenience of reaching major attractions by public transportation, along with the wide selection of accommodation and food, was a particular advantage for solo travelers. Individual neighborhoods in Seoul are also attracting attention as world-class tourist destinations.

Last month, UK-based global culture and travel publication Time Out named Jongno 3-ga in Seoul the world’s coolest neighborhood for 2026. Jongno 3-ga took the top spot ahead of the Les Océans district in Rabat, Morocco; Neos Kosmos in Athens, Greece; and Chinatown in Los Angeles, the United States.

Time Out praised the unique atmosphere created by the traditional hanok houses and alleys of Ikseon-dong, the street food stalls, independent shops and artisan workshops in Jongno 3-ga. It particularly highlighted how the culture of younger generations has become part of a longstanding local commercial district, allowing tradition and new trends to coexist naturally.

Seoul also received high marks for the friendliness with which it welcomes tourists.

Last month, the UK-based global culture and travel publication Time Out named Jongno 3-ga in Seoul the world's coolest neighborhood for 2026. Time Out praised the unique atmosphere created by the traditional hanok houses and alleys of Ikseon-dong, the street food stalls, independent shops and artisan workshops in Jongno 3-ga. Reporter Kim Hyunmin

Seoul ranked third in the “World’s Friendliest Cities 2026” list published by the UK edition of Condé Nast Traveler. The publication noted that everyday acts of consideration, such as restaurant staff kindly explaining dishes and residents giving directions in subway stations, leave a positive impression on visitors. Seoul is thus attracting international attention not only for its competitiveness as a major-city destination, but also for the appeal of its individual neighborhoods, travel convenience and the friendliness of its residents.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, “Seoul’s ranking as the world’s best big city is the result of people around the world recognizing the city’s diverse appeal, built over 2,000 years of history, its K-culture that has captivated the world, and the everyday life embodied in its hanok houses and alleyways.” He added, “While preserving Seoul’s history and distinctive charm, we will add new culture and vitality to make Seoul a global tourist city that fills its residents with pride and gives people around the world a reason to stay longer and return.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.