Time Out 2026 Ranking: Best Cities for Gen Z Highlight Cultural Access and Affordable Living
In collaboration with Intrepid Travel, Time Out unveiled its 2026 list of top cities for Gen Z, derived from a survey targeting individuals under 30. Leading the ranking is Tokyo, which achieved a flawless happiness score. Following Tokyo are Porto, Melbourne, Edinburgh, Shanghai, New York, Copenhagen, Berlin, Valencia, and Bangkok. The city's Welcome Youth initiative grants free exhibition access to those aged 18 and under, aiding its perfect happiness rating. Porto allows free entry on Sundays to the Soares dos Reis National Museum and the Portuguese Centre of Photography. Melbourne, crowned the best city overall, introduced a $1 million program for local creatives, while Edinburgh offers festival ticket discounts and Shanghai aims for 250,000 affordable housing units. Cultural accessibility is also prioritized in New York, Copenhagen, Berlin, Valencia, and Bangkok.
Key facts
- Tokyo topped the 2026 ranking with 100% of Gen Z respondents agreeing they find joy in everyday experiences.
- Tokyo's Welcome Youth program offers free entry to exhibitions for ages 18 and under every spring.
- Porto's Soares dos Reis National Museum waives entry fees on Sundays for Citizen Card holders; Portuguese Centre of Photography is free daily.
- Melbourne announced a $1 million initiative to help local creatives transform ideas into stage productions.
- Edinburgh International Festival offers 50% off tickets for under-18s and 30% off for under-30s in August.
- Shanghai's Decision on Promoting the Construction of a Young People-Friendly City aims to add 250,000 affordable rental housing units near subway stations.
- New York's Summer in NYC scheme supports free events for young residents via an interactive map.
- Copenhagen's K7 scheme gives 18-27-year-olds free access to cultural venues.
- 96% of Bangkok's Gen Z respondents said the city makes them happy, higher than anywhere else they'd lived.
- Valencia offers a travel card with 30 days of Metro, train, and bus travel for €14.90.
Entities
Artists
- Joshua Earle
- Jezael Melgoza
- Nick Karvounis
- Paul Macallan
- Adam Wilson
- Li Yang
- Luca Bravo
- Rolands Varsbergs
- Florian Wehde
- Jonny James
- Braden Jarvis
- Mayor Mamdani
Institutions
- Time Out
- Intrepid Travel
- UNESCO
- Welcome Youth
- Soares dos Reis National Museum
- Portuguese Centre of Photography
- Heart of Carlton
- Frenchie
- Sneaky Pete's
- The Bongo Club
- Leith Arches
- Why Not Nightclub
- Edinburgh International Festival
- JUNTO
- No Phones Club
- Decision on Promoting the Construction of a Young People-Friendly City
- Summer in NYC
- Casa Piada
- Refuge
- Le Dive
- K7
- Distortion
- Casa Lenta
- Made For
- Made in Song Wat
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Porto
- Portugal
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Edinburgh
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
- Shanghai
- China
- New York
- United States
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Berlin
- Germany
- Valencia
- Spain
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Cowgate
- Leith
- New Town
- Nørrebro
- Vesterbro
- Song Wat
- Jardín del Turia
- Dronning Louises Bro
- Kongens Have
- Amager Strandpark
- Nordhavn Bassin
- Islands Brygge
- Refshaleøen
Sources
- Quartz —