Bangkok voted No 1 city in 2026 Condé Nast Traveller awards

Bangkok has been voted the world’s best city in the British edition of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, scoring 97.68 points. The ranking was published on October 6, 2026.

Bangkok finished ahead of Paris, which scored 97.14 points, and Istanbul, which took third place with 96.67, in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 readers’ poll. Tokyo ranked seventh, while Singapore entered the top 20 in last place with 85.85 points.

Bangkok’s first-place finish marks a turnaround from Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 ranking, when the Thai capital did not feature in the top 20 and Valletta, Malta’s capital, took the title. The magazine linked Valletta’s earlier success to growing interest in Malta and described Bangkok’s rise as a sign of readers’ increasing appetite for Thailand.

Bangkok’s temples and food scene earn magazine praise

Condé Nast Traveller highlighted Bangkok’s combination of lively markets, royal palaces, religious sites and street food, describing a capital where energetic city life sits alongside a living cultural heritage.

In Bangkok’s historic centre, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, stand out for their Thai architecture, while nearby Wat Pho houses the Reclining Buddha, one of the city’s best-known landmarks.

Bangkok’s food scene offers experiences ranging from simple Thai dishes at roadside stalls to Michelin-starred dining, alongside rooftop bars with sweeping city views. Internationally renowned hotels and varied entertainment venues add to the capital’s appeal for visitors interested in food, culture and nightlife.

In introducing its best-city ranking, Condé Nast Traveller highlighted the breadth of experiences that can shape a memorable urban break. Museums and galleries, family activities, good-value street food, Michelin-starred restaurants, bars, hotels and welcoming residents all featured in that discussion, rather than famous landmarks alone.

Condé Nast Traveller presented Bangkok’s mix of historic attractions and contemporary city life as a reason to return, with food and entertainment extending the experience beyond sightseeing.

Paris and Istanbul take second and third places

Paris finished second in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 city poll, just 0.54 points behind Bangkok. The magazine highlighted the French capital’s food culture, architecture, monuments and museums as enduring attractions for international travellers.

Paris’s landmarks include the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, described by Condé Nast Traveller as the world’s most visited museum. The restored Notre-Dame Cathedral has also reopened to visitors, attracting tourists and those interested in history.

Istanbul, Turkey, ranked third in Condé Nast Traveller’s readers’ poll. Straddling Europe and Asia, the city combines centuries of history with contemporary culture, while cruise ships, yachts and cargo vessels travel through the Bosphorus Strait between its two sides.

Istanbul’s attractions include Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, alongside boutiques showcasing the work of a new generation of artisans, according to Condé Nast Traveller.

Rome took fourth place with 95.96 points in the 2026 ranking. Attractions ranging from the Colosseum to Vatican City illustrate the wealth of historic sites that make the Italian capital difficult to explore fully in only a few days.

Valletta, the 2025 winner, slipped to fifth with 95.76 points in Condé Nast Traveller’s latest poll. The Maltese capital combines historic buildings and golden-stone lanes with restaurants, hotels and a contemporary creative scene that brings new activity to its Mediterranean streets.

Singapore enters the top 20

Singapore joined Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 list in 20th place with 85.85 points, with the magazine highlighting the city-state’s futuristic architecture, green spaces and distinctive food culture.

From the Marina Bay skyline and Supertree Grove to Chinatown’s historic shophouses and Little India, Singapore offers the combination of modern architecture and established cultural traditions highlighted by Condé Nast Traveller.

Bangkok leads Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 top 20

The British edition of Condé Nast Traveller compiled and analysed readers’ votes for its 2026 city ranking, led by Bangkok. The full list and scores are:

1. Bangkok, Thailand: 97.68 points.
2. Paris, France: 97.14 points.
3. Istanbul, Turkey: 96.67 points.
4. Rome, Italy: 95.96 points.
5. Valletta, Malta: 95.76 points.
6. Shanghai, China: 95.19 points.
7. Tokyo, Japan: 94.76 points.
8. Seoul, South Korea: 93.76 points.
9. Sydney, Australia: 92.72 points.
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands: 92.44 points.
11. Stockholm, Sweden: 91.17 points.
12. Vienna, Austria: 90.97 points.
13. Lisbon, Portugal: 89.70 points.
14. Hong Kong: 89.47 points.
15. Cape Town, South Africa: 88.33 points.
16. Porto, Portugal: 87.78 points.
17. Madrid, Spain: 87.70 points.
18. New York, United States: 86.47 points.
19. Jaipur, India: 86.22 points.
20. Singapore: 85.85 points.