Bangkok Crowned World’s Best City for 2026 After a Remarkable Comeback
Readers of Condé Nast Traveller (UK) put the Thai capital first with a score of 97.68, ahead of Paris, Istanbul and Rome.
Bangkok’s score in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. It was not in the top 20 a year earlier.
Bangkok has been named the No. 1 Best City in the World for 2026 by readers of Condé Nast Traveller (UK), earning a score of 97.68 out of 100 in the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The Thai capital finished ahead of Paris, Istanbul and Rome, according to Condé Nast Traveller.
The result is especially notable because Bangkok did not appear in the top 20 of the previous year’s list. Its rise to first place reflects the city’s pull on travellers, who cite its mix of culture, food, nightlife, energy and hospitality, The Nation Thailand reports.
How the leaders compare
Bangkok’s published score is shown. Other cities are listed in finishing order only; their scores are not given in the sources.
Also in the leading group, in the order reported: Paris, Istanbul and Rome. The Thaiger adds Tokyo and Sydney. The Nation Thailand says Bangkok narrowly beat Paris.
Why travellers love Bangkok
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Condé Nast Traveller describes Bangkok as an exhilarating city where markets, palaces, religious sites and street food come together.
A comeback story
Pick a point on the timeline to see Bangkok’s position.
2025: Bangkok is absent from the top 20 of the Readers’ Choice list.
The original announcement
The news was widely shared on social media. In a Facebook post, the city was described as winning for its “street food and fine dining”, “timeless culture”, “sky-high nightlife” and “unmatched energy”, and its return as proof that travellers “can’t get enough of the City of Angels”. The post used the hashtags #Bangkok, #ThailandTravel and #VisitThailand.
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