Time Out highly praises Seoul for its ability to offer diverse experiences and the vibrant lifestyle of its people, highlighted by cultural activities throughout all four seasons.
Seoul city authorities announced on March 16 that the South Korean capital has set a new record by entering the Top 10 for the first time in the 2026 ranking of the 50 best cities in the world, published by the global travel and culture magazine Time Out (UK).
According to information from the Seoul city government, cited by a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in South Korea, Seoul has risen 33 places to 9th out of 150 major cities assessed. This is a rapid leap from its 42nd position last year. In Asia, Seoul ranks third, behind Shanghai (China) and Bangkok (Thailand).
Time Out's ranking is based on a survey of 24,000 urban residents and assessments from over 100 experts, analyzing 44 categories including food , culture, cost of living, and happiness levels.
Time Out highly praises Seoul for its ability to offer diverse experiences and the vibrant lifestyle of its people, highlighted by cultural activities throughout all four seasons.
Seasonal features such as cherry blossoms in spring, music festivals in summer and autumn, and ice skating in winter give the city its unique appeal.
The city government has made efforts to build the brand of "365-Day Festival City" with flagship events such as the Seoul Spring Festival, the Han River Festival, and autumn-winter festivals. As a result, festival attendance has surged from 80,000 in 2022 to approximately 13 million last year.
In addition, factors that attract young people globally include its culinary culture with tours exploring bakeries, cafes, and unique desserts. Cultural activities include the K-pop craze, performances, and art exhibitions. Furthermore, resident satisfaction is another factor contributing to Seoul's appeal. 79% of Seoul residents surveyed said they felt happy living there.
Beyond Time Out's rankings, Seoul has also achieved many other impressive accomplishments over the past year, such as ranking 6th in the Global Metropolitan Power Index (GPCI), 6th globally in the Happy City Index, holding the number 1 position in categories such as the most popular city among young people, the best city for solo travel, and the best city for students.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that Seoul's dynamism and tourism appeal are being widely recognized internationally through media reviews and urban competitiveness indicators. The city will continue to develop its infrastructure and cultural content to transform Seoul into a comprehensive hexagonal metropolis, possessing both hardware and software strengths.