Time Out ranks London, Paris, New York as top cities for art and culture in 2026
Time Out has released its yearly list of the finest cities globally for art and culture, derived from a survey involving 24,000 residents and votes from experts. The top ten cities include London, Paris, New York, Berlin, Cape Town, Melbourne, São Paulo, Madrid, Florence, and Kraków. London secured the top position, recognized for its complimentary museum access, such as V&A East, and strong theater ratings. Paris garnered unanimous local acclaim for its vibrant cultural offerings and significant exhibitions. New York came in third, celebrated for its prominent displays at the Metropolitan Museum and MoMA. Berlin showcased its counterculture, while Cape Town emphasized African creativity, and Melbourne stood out for its comedy and street art. Affordability differs among these high-ranking cities.
Key facts
- Time Out surveyed 24,000 locals across more than 150 cities.
- Only the highest-scoring city in each country made the final ranking.
- London ranked first, with 99% of locals rating its culture as good or amazing.
- Paris was the only city with 100% local approval for its art and culture scene.
- New York hosts Raphael's first comprehensive US exhibition at the Met.
- Berlin's Museum Island is celebrating its 200th anniversary into 2026.
- Melbourne was also named Time Out's best city in the world for 2026.
- Kraków houses Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine in the Czartoryski Museum.
Entities
Artists
- Matisse
- Lee Miller
- Marcel Duchamp
- Iris Van Herpen
- Woody De Othello
- Genesis Belanger
- Nelson Mandela
- Michelangelo
- Botticelli
- Mark Rothko
- Leonardo da Vinci
- OsGêmeos
- Dalí
- Bad Bunny
- Shakira
Institutions
- Time Out
- V&A East
- V&A East Storehouse
- Young V&A
- Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
- Museum of Youth Culture
- London Museum
- Grand Palais
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs
- Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac
- Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris
- Centre Pompidou
- Musée de la Vie Romantique
- Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- MoMA
- Brooklyn Museum
- Public Art Fund
- Zeitz MOCAA
- Norval Foundation
- Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
- Baxter
- Artscape
- Investec Cape Town Art Fair
- Veuve Clicquot
- Magnum Photos
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Cartier
- Rising festival
- Honey Bones Gallery
- Fortyfivedownstairs
- MASP
- Pinacoteca
- Instituto Tomie Ohtake
- MAM
- SP-Arte
- Nara Roesler
- Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel
- Vermelho
- Mendes Wood DM
- Prado
- Reina Sofía
- Gaviria Palace
- Festival de Otoño
- Surge Madrid
- Uffizi Galleries
- Palazzo Strozzi
- Czartoryski Museum
- Wawel Castle
- Jewish Culture Festival
- MOCAK
- Schindler's Factory
- Wesoła
Locations
- London
- South Kensington
- Albertopolis
- East End
- Clerkenwell
- Camden Town
- Smithfield
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- Grand Palais
- 20th arrondissement
- Le Marais
- France
- New York
- United States
- Berlin
- Kreuzberg
- Museum Island
- Spree
- Germany
- Cape Town
- City Hall
- South Africa
- Melbourne
- Australia
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Madrid
- Gran Vía
- Spain
- Florence
- Italy
- Kraków
- Old Town
- Kazimierz
- Zablocie
- Wawel Castle
- Poland
Sources
- Quartz —