Tripadvisor: Top 10 World Destinations for City Lovers 2022


If you’re looking for a bright-lights-big-city kind of vibe, you can’t miss these traveler-loved hubs around the world. Here are the Top 10 cities in the world, as voted for by Tripadvisor users.

 
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1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment. Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.

Don’t miss
  • High Red Dunes with Camel Ride, Sandboarding, Falcon Show and VIP BBQ Dinner
  • Jet Ski Tour of Dubai: Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Khalifa
  • Dubai Sea escape: Swim, Tan & Sightsee!

All 3434 things to do

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2. London, United Kingdom

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless. 

Don’t miss
  • London East End Food Tour
  • Rock Cab Tours Presents: The Music Legends Private Taxi Tour of London
  • Classic London Landmarks Bicycle Tour

All 8758 things to do

3. Rome, Italy

Rome wasn’t built in a day–and you’ll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample a perfect espresso or gelato before spending an afternoon shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life here, too, from fresh pasta to succulent fried artichokes or a tender oxtail stew.

Don’t miss
  • Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome with Cappuccino
  • Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Semi-Private Tour MAX 6 PEOPLE GUARANTEED
  • The Roman Food tour in Trastevere 5pm start

All 6196 things to do

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4. Istanbul, Turkey

Over the centuries, many cultures have added their mark to this prized piece of land. Today, you can experience those influences firsthand by exploring Istanbul’s mahalles (neighborhoods). From the holy sites of Sultanahmet and the 19th-century European elegance of Beyoğlu to the high fashion of Nişantaşı, the vibrant café society of Kadıköy and the football-loving streets of Beşiktaş, it’s easy to see why travelers say that Istanbul isn’t just one city, but many cities within one.
Don’t miss
  • Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
  • Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
  • Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

All 4358 things to do

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5. Paris, France

Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.

Don’t miss
  • Louvre Museum Skip-the-line Access Private Guided Tour
  • Paris: the Amazing Segway tour (Eiffel Tower and more than 20 other points of interest)
  • Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour
All 8202 things to do

6. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona feels a bit surreal – appropriate, since Salvador Dali spent time here and Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí designed several of the city’s buildings. Stepping into Gaudí’s Church of the Sacred Family is a bit like falling through the looking glass – a journey that you can continue with a visit to Park Güell. Sip sangria at a sidewalk café in Las Ramblas while watching flamboyant street performers, then create your own moveable feast by floating from tapas bar to tapas bar.

Don’t miss
  • Small-Group Sail Trip in Barcelona with Paddle Boarding
  • Paella Experience with a Professional Chef + Bottomless Wine in Barcelona
  • Fast Track Sagrada Familia Guided Tour
All 5035 things to do
 
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7. Marrakech, Morocco

The “Red City” of Marrakesh is a magical place, brimming with markets, gardens, palaces, and mosques. Exploring the intimate courtyards and snaking alleyways of the historic Medina can easily eat up a day. Find inner peace at the serene Jardin Majorelle or take in the beauty of one of the city’s historic mosques (taking note that, unless you are Muslim, you are not allowed to enter).

Don’t miss
  • Moroccan Cooking Class With Chef Najlae !
  • Atlas Mountains and Three Valleys & Waterfalls with Camel ride Guided Day Trip
  • Hot Air Balloon Flight over Marrakech with Traditional Breakfast

All 3356 things to do

8. Madrid, Spain

So many of Madrid’s buildings look like castles, you’ll think you’ve stumbled into a fairytale. Even City Hall is astounding, with its white pinnacles and neo-Gothic features. A self-guided architecture tour can begin by the great bear statue in the central Puerta del Sol. Wander by the fanciful Royal Palace before absorbing the natural beauty of Retiro Park, then visit one of the city’s many museums. You could happily cap off each day by nibbling on forkfuls of paella while sipping Spanish rioja.

Don’t miss
  • Tapas, Taverns & History Tour Madrid
  • Historical Madrid Tour in Private Electric Tuk Tuk
  • Skip-the-Line Prado Museum Guided Tour 6 people per group in English
All 3861 things to do

9. Cairo, Egypt

Cairo’s an ancient city that also happens to be a modern metropolis—it’s one of the biggest cities in the Middle East and has the traffic and noise issues to prove it. But as long as you’re not looking for solitude, Cairo—the City of the Thousand Minarets—is a splendid place to explore Egyptian history and culture. (Editor’s note: Our list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt. If you’re currently planning a trip to Egypt, please consider the risks and monitor your government’s travel alerts.)

Don’t miss
  • Private Half Day Trip to Giza Pyramids Sphinx with Camel Riding
  • Evening Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo with Private Transport
  • Full-Day Luxor private Tour from Cairo by Plane with Lunch

All 1526 things to do

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10. New Delhi, India

New Delhi is all at once chaotic and calm, a complicated city where cows often wander the shanty-lined streets. The 17th century Red Fort is a mass of domes and turrets, while Chandni Chowk is an exercise in friendly haggling. Jantar Mantar features larger-than-life sundials and astronomical instruments that are still used to predict the weather. Travelers and locals flock to the India Gate, the national monument of India that honors the soldiers who died in World War I and the Third Afghan War.
 
Don’t miss
  • Old Delhi’s Food, Temples, Culture and Spice Market
  • Half Day Old Delhi Bazaar Walk and Masterji Kee Haveli Visiting Tour
  • Full-Day Private Old and New Delhi Combo Tour
All 2978 things to do

 

Chris Price