When you think of the “best cities in the world,” do any in Canada come to mind? Canada boasts some of the most unique cities anywhere in the world – and the readers of Conde Nast Traveler seem to agree. From towering skyscrapers to picturesque mountain tops, over 500,000+ readers voted on their favourite big (and small) cities for the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
From a long list of qualifying cities, two Canadian hotspots made it into the top 10 most favoured cities across the world! But before we reveal what those cities are, it’s important to know what the readers were voting on. While there are many beautiful places to visit and/or live in Canada, some are just a step above the rest. Like you, the voters looked for a variety of things: food, culture, architecture, green spaces, accessibility and more. These two Canadian cities not only captured the essence of the local culture, but captivated the minds of passionate travellers from all corners of the globe. Read on to find out if your favourite Canadian city made the list.
Related: These Are the Best Canadian Cities to Raise Kids in 2023
The Best Small Cities in the World
Small cities hold just as much cultural significance as big cities — sometimes even more. This year, the voters were enamored by the sun-soaked shores of Dubrovnik, Croatia and the colourful streets of Porto, Portugal. Despite the heavy competition — Victoria, Canada was voted as the number one small city in the world. Not surprisingly, Victoria offers tons of natural and cultural amenities for the wanderlust in all of us. From a sprawling art scene to the picture-perfect coastal views, Victoria claimed the hearts of travellers looking for a piece of Pacific paradise.
Here is the full list of the best small cities, as voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers:
- Victoria, Canada
- San Sebastián, Spain
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Antigua de Guatemala, Guatemala
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Porto, Portugal
- Bruges, Belgium
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
Related: The Healthiest Provinces to Live in 2023
The Best Big Cities in the World
Big cities are our cultural hubs, economic drivers and so much more. Big cities like Paris, Hong Kong and Toronto often represent a country’s best qualities and most challenging circumstances. When voting, readers looked out for a city’s impact on global tourism, diversity of attractions and more. While popular cities like Copenhagen, Melbourne and Tokyo made the list, it was Canada’s beloved Vancouver that ranked number eight on the list of top cities. As Canada’s second largest city, Vancouver’s seaside splendor offers a ton of natural beauty coupled with a vibrant food and art scene.
Here is the full list of the best big cities in the world, as voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers:
- Singapore
- Tokyo, Japan
- Seoul, South Korea
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Sydney, Australia
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Oslo, Norway
- Vancouver, Canada
- Melbourne, Australia
- Edinburgh, UK
For the full list of winners, visit Conde Nast Travelers’ website here. Which one of these incredible cities will you visit next?
