TimeOut just released their 50 best cities in the world list, and Vancouver was the only Canadian spot to make the grade.
The list was compiled with the help of the insights of 24,000 people across 150 cities worldwide.
“To determine the final Best Cities ranking for 2026, we combined their thousands of responses with the votes of more than 100 Time Out city experts. Then we tapped up our network of local writers to tell us exactly what makes their city worth a visit right now,” TimeOut says.
TimeOut’s ranking suggests that each city’s listing will give folks a reason to book a trip.
But this is why TimeOut ranked Vancouver at #37.
TimeOut contributor Olivia Hart wrote the blurb about Vancouver, saying, “Three words: the great outdoors. Vancouver is one of the rare spots on the planet where you can swim, cycle and ski all in a single day – outdoor adventures are on the table year-round, and you’re just a short drive from the Canadian Rockies.”
Suggesting Vancouver is a short drive to the Rockies is more than a bit of a stretch, as both Edmonton and Calgary offer much more reasonable drives to the scenic mountains, but the other aspects are accurate.
“Head to Jericho beach for a picnic, pedal Stanley Park’s scenic seawall, soar through the treetops at Capilano Suspension Bridge, or chase fresh powder on Grouse, Seymour, or Cypress Mountains – they’re all close enough to squeeze in a run or two after work,” Hart wrote.
Hart also pointed out Vancouver’s culinary scene, along with locally sourced produce, as reasons to celebrate the city.
In terms of why folks should visit now, TimeOut points to the fact that Vancouver is getting its own TimeOut Market very soon and FIFA is rolling into town this summer.
“Cambie Street and Commercial Drive both recently ranked among the world’s coolest streets, with Cambie snagging the 20th spot on the lauded list.”
The Cambie Street selection was pretty controversial.
“Cambie is a very pleasant street to stroll and browse and is very underrated and overlooked, but ‘coolest’ really is a stretch,” one reader said in our Daily Hive story about the selection.
TimeOut says that responses from Vancouver locals praised how green the city is, with 87 per cent stating the city’s green spaces were its biggest accolades. Eighty-five per cent said it was the city’s food scene.
Melbourne in Australia was ranked #1, with Shanghai and Edinburgh rounding out the top three.
In 2025, Vancouver wasn’t on TimeOut’s list of best cities, with Montreal being the only Canadian city to make the ranking. In 2024, both Montreal and Vancouver made the list.
Do you think Vancouver was deserving to be on this best city list above any other Canadian spot?