World cities and iconic metropolises

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The world's great cities earn that status through a combination of cultural depth, historical layering, architectural ambition and the particular energy that comes from being a place where significant things happen and have happened for a long time. The most rewarding urban destinations tend to be those where the city has a strong identity independent of tourism, with distinct neighbourhoods, food cultures and creative scenes that exist for residents rather than visitors and are merely available to those who seek them out.

City travel rewards depth over breadth, with extended stays in a single destination consistently delivering more than itineraries that move quickly between multiple cities. Neighbourhoods away from the main tourist circuits reveal character that the most visited areas have often lost to souvenir shops and queues. Public transport, food markets and everyday street life are as much a part of the world city experience as any landmark or institution.

The most celebrated world cities are expensive and accommodation costs at central locations have risen considerably in most major destinations. Advance booking for the most visited museums, galleries and cultural institutions is increasingly essential year-round rather than just at peak times. Overtourism is reshaping several of the most celebrated urban destinations in ways that are worth researching before travel to manage expectations and itinerary planning accordingly.