Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
“I Fell In Love With The Culture”: 37 Of The Coolest Cities People Have Ever Traveled To
Interview
The majority of Americans travel at least twice per year, and 22% take over six trips annually. But not every journey is going to be life-changing. Some of us have to travel for work, and others do so to visit their family during the holidays. So if you manage to see a new place that absolutely blows your mind, you’re never going to forget about it.
Globetrotters on Reddit have recently been discussing the coolest cities they’ve ever visited, so we’ve gathered a list of their responses below. From Buenos Aires to Reykjavík, there are amazing cities to be found all over the planet. So enjoy reading about these fantastic destinations, and be sure to upvote the ones that you’ll be adding to your bucket list!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Tokyo is hard to beat - it’s like ten different worlds stacked on top of each other: quiet neighborhoods, neon chaos, tiny ramen shops, hyper-efficient trains, and somehow it all works.
RELATED:
#2
Prague. It is like stepping into a fantasy postcard.
#3
My own, Amsterdam.
Norfolk and good 15 hours ago (edited)
I was looking for Amsterdam. People often think Amsterdam is just the red light district and weed cafés. It's got many great museums and art galleries. Beautiful architecture and a lot of history. The people are really nice and the public transport is excellent. There's a reason several famous painters were Dutch.
KatSaidThat 14 hours ago
Took my brother and his boy on a boat trip through Amsterdam. They realised it's not just cafe and brother culture and want to go back (they live in Saffa)
Load More Replies...To find out how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to the Reddit user who started this thread, Chaulmoog. They were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and answer a few of our questions.
"I created the post because I recently returned from seeing my brother in a much larger city," the author shared. "It was an 11-hour drive to get there, and I saw a lot of cities and towns and wondered what it would be like to visit them. I was curious about what other people experienced visiting cool cities."
#4
Reykjavík had a very cool vibe. People there were incredibly nice, the food was amazing, sightseeing tours outside of the Reykjavík area had sights I had never seen before. It was also the place I saw the northern lights for the first time in my life. Definitely would like to go again.
Cuppa tea? 9 hours ago
Never seen so many statues of historical figures in such small-ish place. Almost every street has some. Also the centre is so diverse - new modern buildings, old traditional streets, lots of street art, murals. Parliament and prime minister buildings are almost open to public - there's no security perimeter.
#5
Osaka, Japan easily. It needs to be at the later half of your Japan trip if you go. You start in Tokyo, and Tokyo IS amazing. You go to all the main Tokyo districts, and get used to the transportation system and realize that everyone is very reserved and not talkative, you get used to it.
Then you go to Osaka, night and day. People talk to you, you engage in conversations you would not get the chance to in Tokyo, and it’s like an explosion of culture right in your face. Takoyaki stalls, 15+ story malls you could spend all day in and not see everything, the best Sushi you will ever eat, best drinking culture ever. Osaka never stops giving.
#6
Sevilla. I love Spain.
Even Pucon, Chile - Adored it.
Medellin, Colombia. I fell in love with the culture!!!
KatSaidThat 15 hours ago
I love Spain... surprised barcelona didn't get mentioned. *goes off to book next holiday*
Cathy Jo Baker 16 hours ago
I can second Seville, basically Andalusia. Granada and Cordoba were fabulous. And I will heartily second Medellin! Highly recommend Colombia, too!
We also asked the author about the most interesting city they've visited. "The coolest city I've been to was Galway, Ireland," Chaulmoog says. "I went there around 7 years ago. It was cool being somewhere with so much history, and everything there just looked cool. I was impressed by how clean everything looked. The tour guide we had kept hyping it up, so I was pretty excited to go there."
#7
Krakow, Poland. Beautiful, charming, has history. Very underrated city.
Cuppa tea? 9 hours ago
Very nice, the historical centre - from Wawel to Glowing Rynek is massively huge, well preserved. Some less known gems to visit - museum of Japanese art at the bank of Wiszla opposite Wawel and then Czernynski palace with portrait of lady with animal by certain Italian artist. Without the crowd.
#8
As far as coolest goes I would have to say Carcassonne. A small city near border of Spain and France that exists within an original Medieval fortress. If you like history the idea of staying at a hotel built within a stone fortress is the definition of cool.
Pernille 21 hours ago
My town! I love going to the cité at this tme of the year. There is no tourist and on a clear day you can see the snow clad Pyrenees from the ramparts while imagining that you are a medieval sentinel on duty. And then you can cross the river and sit on Place Carnot in the "new" part of town and eat lunch. The "new" part of town is from twelve hundred something.
Pernille 10 hours ago
And in the next village towards the Mediterranean there are a great little port with bars and restaurants. Before I bought my house I considered becoming a canal b*m, pottering around Europe on the canals and wintering in Carcassonne and Toulouse.
Load More Replies...
#9
As an American I’d say Edinburgh, Vienna, or Lucerne were the cities that surprised me the most coolness.
For North American cities I’d say Mexico City San Diego & Chicago.
Finally, we asked the author what they thought of the responses to their post. "I got a lot more replies than I was expecting, and I still need to go through them all. But I would like to take the time to read about every place they mentioned," they told Bored Panda. "Sometimes I like to think about what life is like for other people and other places. [And] I'd like to be able to visit those places."
#10
Marseilles (and I'm from Paris). Lived there in the 70s, no real fit. Came back in June, and it really changed for the better.
Otherwise no city is "cool" but there are cool areas in most cities, you just have to know where you look, and your taste could be different.
KatSaidThat 15 hours ago
Marseille gives me so much pleasure - there is so much to do from beaches, to nature hiking and cliff diving, the food, the markets, the architecture.
Pernille 21 hours ago
I love Marseille. I lived there in the nineties, and still have friends there. It did ruin my french accent, but I'd rather sound like a Marseillan dockworker than a Parisian bobo.
Ace 16 hours ago
Haha. I remember the first time I met the family of my wife's long time penfriend/exchange partner in Annecy, I was quite nervous and worried about my unpracticed French, but after a couple of glasses of champagne I got much better. All except for a Albert, an in-law, who I was really struggling to understand. When I commented to one of the others they said (in French, of course) something like "Oh don't worry about that, he's from Marseilles, none of us can understand him". Oh, and apparently "Il parle dans sa barbe".
Load More Replies... #11
Buenos Aires!! It’s a mix of european lifestyle with latino vibes, and don’t get me started about the night life!
Also the food, the people, art and culture… I felt like I belonged there. First time I’d fallen in love (like for real) with a place. I’m really considering moving there.
#12
Istanbul. It was way larger than I was expecting and has an impressive amount of tall buildings and good public infrastructure. Also very lax as far as Muslim countries go. It basically felt like I was in the EU.
Norfolk and good 15 hours ago (edited)
Sharia law is banned in Türkiye, so it's a lot more progressive than many other Muslim countries.
#13
Difficult to pick just one....
Vancouver is stunning, Barcelona is the most awesome place to just walk around, Prague's old town is beautiful, Mexico City has the most amazing food culture.
Cathy Jo Baker 16 hours ago
Mexico City... amazing place (used to be, I have been since Covid as I have been busy going other places but I would like to go back. I've been there close to 30 times, used to spend a month or so every summer there).
#14
Reading through replies and we have most of the world covered! Conclusion: Travelling is always worth it!
#15
Bologna, Italy, by far - the restaurant and bar scene is so effortlessly cool.
#18
Sydney. Especially around Newtown. Loved the vibe, the music, the beers, the fashion.
Honourable mentions to Berlin and Copenhagen.
#19
My favorite place in the world is probably a small town in northern laos called Luang prabang. Best vibe and nicest people you'll ever meet.
#20
Barcelona – art, beaches, street life.
KatSaidThat 14 hours ago
architecture, parks, food. Barcelona is in my top 5 favourite cities.
#21
London.
Camden Town is pretty much paradise on earth to me.
Norfolk and good 15 hours ago (edited)
Cue the Brits from outside London saying, "London is a dump." Yes, it's expensive, there are parts of London that you would want to avoid if you're alone, and there are parts where you'll see poverty, but that's the case in almost every city in the world. London has a long and interesting history. There's so much to see and do from tea at the Ritz to a Jack the Ripper walking tour to seeing a play at one of it's many theatres (including The Globe if you like a bit of Shakespeare). If you want to escape the hussle and bussle there are lots of parks in London, including the famous Hyde Park. There's lots of great museums, many of which are free. It's great for shopping, easy to travel round thanks to the underground, and it's very diverse so you can find food from anywhere in the world. I'm not from London, and I personally wouldn't want to live there because it's too expensive and busy for me, but for a visit London is definitely worth it.
Robert T 9 hours ago (edited)
Well it is. It is overpriced and full of unfriendly people who won't even pass the time of day. I spent quite a bit of time working in London and really didn't enjoy it. If cities are your thing, then bith Glasgow and Edinburgh are much more friendly and both have lots to see and do.
Load More Replies... KatSaidThat 14 hours ago
This post must be old because Camden has lost it's cool. Source: I live near Camden. London can be cool but the gentrification has ruined the magic somewhat.
David Paterson 21 hours ago
I'll agree with Camden Town, "the city", and Kensington, possibly Chelsea? But the rest, no. The difference between London and a Dickensian slum is that in Dickens time the buildings were new.
KatSaidThat 14 hours ago
I work in Chelsea, it's mostly just expensive shopping and restaurants.
Load More Replies...
#22
Zurich, London, SF (home), nyc, Lisbon, are among my favorites.
Worth a mention, Lucerne, cinque terra, and anywhere in Hawaii.
Robert T 9 hours ago
I spent many weeks in Zurich and it is a lovely city and very easy to get around as the trams go everywhere and there are plenty of pedestrianised streets to walk on. Some great restaurants and you have to at least ogle the windows on Bahnhoffstrasse at least once! The only bizarre bits are having a s*x shop in the middle of a nice area and the strangely seedy reddish light district with video shops, which I had to walk through to get to work, which was an office built over the top of a Ferrari dealership!
Scott Rackley 4 minutes ago
Spent a couple weeks skiing the Alps and our home base was friend's house in Zurich. I love that town.
Load More Replies... For All Pedernity 16 hours ago
Cinque Terre is not one single city/town, but, as the name implies, five small towns strung along a short section of beautiful coastline.
#23
Bangkok. And not for the reasons everyone assumes. So much to see and do. The food is amazing everywhere, the nightlife is fantastic and I’ve never felt safer in a big city.
#26
Fargo in February was definitely the coolest city I have ever been to. But Souix Falls had more wind chill. It snowed continuously in Casper but was much warmer.
#27
Seoul. Busy, modern city. Great transportation system. Plenty of beautiful places to walk. Wonderful food just everywhere. Oh, and even mountain hiking within city limits in northern Seoul.
#28
San Francisco. The only city I’ve thought “wow” while entering. The rolling hills filled with colorful buildings is beautiful.
Multa Nocte 16 hours ago
I used to go there every several years with my family when I was young and I lived there for several months back in the late 70s (well, Half Moon Bay, actually, but I spent a LOT of time in the City), and I loved every minute of it. I understand that it has gone somewhat downhill since then, but it will always be one of my favourite cities and I think of it fondly.
Alex Meurissen 20 hours ago
San francisco is in my top 3 of most hated cities ive ever been to. Absolutely HATED the place. (if anyone cares, this is the top 3: 1. Marrakech, 2. San francisco, 3. Sao Paolo :D)
#29
Portland, Oregon is pretty cool. I love the food trucks, the restaurants, the eclectic shops, Powell’s book store, the transit, the walkability, the people, and the general nerdy vibe.
#30
Paris.
The whole city is like a walkable museum (not counting the Louvre, Petit Palais, etc). There’s just SO MUCH stuff to do and visit.
The food there is phenomenal and the people are in a class of their own.
Absolutely loved the culture both times I’ve been.
Multa Nocte 16 hours ago
There is a reason that France is and has been for many, many years the number 1 destination spot in the world for tourists. Paris is somewhere everyone should go at least once in their life if they can. However, first learn a few French phrases, learn the major do's and don't's of the culture, and watch your valuables. If you haven't kicked back and enjoyed life sitting at one of the many sidewalk cafés, you haven't actually experienced Paris. It is gorgeous.
#31
In the US, has to be New Orleans, that city just has a different vibe.
#34
New Orleans by a mile. No question the coolest American city, possibly in the world. Fun vibes great music great food, amazing culture, interesting people of all ages and races. No where else has that kind of soul.
Now if by “coolest” you mean modern, well designed, functional, and prosperous, that’s another story.
#35
New York City still rules, but also Cleveland is underrated. It still has all the old cool things from the old steel money because nothing else could afford to replace it. Old buildings, good sports venues, good museums and great food and beer. Real head city lovers love a place like Cleveland.
Firstname Lastname 20 hours ago
I've been to Cleveland a handful of times, and it never fails to disappoint me. Busy enough to keep occupied without feeling overwhelmed.
#36
Been all over the world, but nothing beats NYC.
Norfolk and good 15 hours ago (edited)
Greay place to visit, but the people left something to be desired. From the moment I landed at JFK, from the moment I went home, I encountered so many rude and hostile people.
#37
Los Angeles was definitely a trip to me
as a Southeast Asian.
People were so warm. Welcoming. Wanted to include me in everything - parties, events, etc
Great people throughout. Only issue wae the lack of a nearby porto’s branch near me.
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Apatheist 16 hours ago
Istanbul was very cool - in fact, it was freezing! I've never been so cold.
KatSaidThat 14 hours ago
Try Edinburgh on NYE - Hogmanay... was not prepared for that level cold, especially sleeping in a camper van.
Load More Replies... 
2x4b523p 23 hours ago
I love cities. The convenience of everything on your doorstep. Culture, shops, little restaurants, services, often any time of day and night. Love city breaks and getting intentionally lost walking around. But could never live in a city permanently. Nothing beats taking the dog for a walk and not meeting another human. Living rural involves a lot of planning and medical emergency is a nightmare, but the clean air, nature, wildlife, space and no noise but the birds singing …wouldn’t change it for the world.
Norfolk and good 15 hours ago
Not a city, but Stratford-upon-Avon is one of my favourite places in the UK.
Onan Hag All 15 hours ago
Canberra us one of the world's greatest cities, this is aided by the fact that tourists rarely bother it.
Apatheist 16 hours ago
Istanbul was very cool - in fact, it was freezing! I've never been so cold.
KatSaidThat 14 hours ago
Try Edinburgh on NYE - Hogmanay... was not prepared for that level cold, especially sleeping in a camper van.
Load More Replies... 2x4b523p 23 hours ago
I love cities. The convenience of everything on your doorstep. Culture, shops, little restaurants, services, often any time of day and night. Love city breaks and getting intentionally lost walking around. But could never live in a city permanently. Nothing beats taking the dog for a walk and not meeting another human. Living rural involves a lot of planning and medical emergency is a nightmare, but the clean air, nature, wildlife, space and no noise but the birds singing …wouldn’t change it for the world.
Norfolk and good 15 hours ago
Not a city, but Stratford-upon-Avon is one of my favourite places in the UK.
Onan Hag All 15 hours ago
Canberra us one of the world's greatest cities, this is aided by the fact that tourists rarely bother it.
You May Like 58 Places From Around The World That Look AI Generated But Are Actually Real 51 Safest Places To Travel Right Now 37 Best Solo Travel Destinations To Keep In Mind For Your Next Trip
Jonas Žvilius
Larysa Perih
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Related on Bored Panda
