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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Caitlin Cassidy

Time Out names Melbourne the best city in the world – but is it more ‘vibes’ than hard data?

Time Out Melbourne London New York
Diners at a cafe in Brunswick, Melbourne
Melbourne has claimed the top spot on Time Out’s 50 Best Cities list for 2026. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

An annual global ranking has named Melbourne the best city in the world for the first time. But it may be more to do with “vibes” than thorough analysis.

Time Out’s 50 Best Cities list for 2026, released on Wednesday, crowned an Australian city as No 1 for the first time in its 10-year history, showering Melbourne with acclaim for its food, culture and arts scenes.

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