For the 11th year in a row, London has been named the world’s best city for 2026 by Resonance Consultancy. According to its 2026 World’s Best Cities Report, London ranks first in prosperity, second in lovability, and third in livability. The study methodology incorporates data from an Ipsos survey of over 21,000 people across 31 countries on where people most want to visit, live, and find work. London also claimed the title of the world’s best city of 2025 for being the most walkable and iconic European vacation destination, beating out New York and Paris.

The study blends hard data with user-generated content and social media analytics, like Google Trends, Facebook check-ins, and location-tagged Instagram posts. Only major cities with populations over 1 million were included, and performance metrics were applied across 30 categories like green spaces, public transportation, GDP, and airports.

Using these metrics, the report analyzed livability (quality of life), lovability (culture and social scenes), and prosperity (business growth and large companies). Prosperity is where London excelled relative to the other cities. Metrics include GDP per capita, employment rates, education, and airport improvements. London also attracted international travelers, whose spending reached almost $22 billion in 2024, an increase from the previous year.

Read more: Rick Steves’ Most And Least Favorite Places In Europe

London’s strengths are its livability, lovability, and prosperity

For livability, Resonance Consultancy scores cities based on a variety of factors, including walkability, public transportation access, parks and green spaces, and other quality-of-life metrics. London has more than 3,000 parks to explore. One prime example is Walthamstow, touted as London’s best neighborhood to live in with its unique arts, incredible eats, and greenery. Since first being elected mayor in 2016, Sadiq Khan has already invested £30 million (about $39 million) in improving the public parks and green spaces. City leaders have launched projects like the Grow Back Greener Fund, which, from 2020 to 2023, planted community trees and enhanced urban nature. According to a 2025 study by Compare the Market, London ranked sixth among the world’s most walkable cities, thanks to its vast network of walking trails.

London’s lovability shows in its thriving art community, evolving dining culture, and electric nightlife. Highly rated museums, art galleries, and new restaurants are popping up everywhere. This is reflected in the influx of Instagram photos, TikToks, and Facebook check-ins showing the city’s newest hotspots. One illustrative area is Shoreditch, once an industrial quarter that is now the epicenter of London’s thriving art scene.

As for restaurants, the Michelin Guide lists a whopping 357 London-area restaurants, including starred and recommended eateries. But you don’t have to spend big to enjoy the food scene. There are many quirky, themed, and sustainable dining spots, including Silo, billed as the world’s first zero-waste restaurant. You’ll also find affordable street-food markets scattered across the city, such as the Berwick Street Market, Lower Marsh Market, Brixton Village Market, and Borough Market (which features over 100 stalls). At these markets, you can find everything from Nepalese dumplings to authentic Pakistani dishes.

London outperforms other cities in its investments, business, and infrastructure

For years, London Gatwick Airport was considered one of Europe’s most stressful airports. But that reputation is being addressed, with the U.K. government approving a £2.2 billion plan (about $2.8 billion) for the airport’s Northern Runway expansion, along with other projects to improve terminals and amenities. Meanwhile, projects such as the Elizabeth line enhance connectivity — linking outer boroughs, central London, and major airports — which helps residents and visitors get around the city more easily.

London is also investing in social and green infrastructure. Mayor Sadiq Khan’s administration aims to fully decarbonize the city’s transport system by 2030, and progress is already underway through the Healthy Streets Approach, designed to make public transit more efficient and environmentally friendly. In North London, projects like the Camden Highline — an almost mile-long elevated greenway built from an old railway viaduct — are also in the works.

What’s more, a study by real estate agency Beauchamp Estates (via Newsweek) revealed that Americans account for 25% of high-end home purchases in the city, a sign of London’s strong corporate presence, steady stream of investments, and sizeable American diaspora. But the city is also enhancing what it offers to international visitors, which is also important to its economy. According to London and Partners’ Tourism Vision, the goal is to improve the overall tourist experience by encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more of the city’s culture, neighborhoods, and everyday life.

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Read the original article on Islands.

If you’re tired of crowded beaches and overrun resort towns, 2026 might be the perfect year to look somewhere a bit quieter. Popular destinations in Central America and the Caribbean can come with high prices, packed shorelines, and overbooked excursions. However, there’s one coastal region that travelers are only now starting to discover. According to a new trend report from travel search engine Skyscanner, Limón, Costa Rica, is the No. 1 trending vacation destination for 2026. The company analyzed worldwide flight searches from January to June 2025 and compared them to the same period in 2024. The results showed that Limón saw a 289% jump in interest compared to the previous year. This spike is nearly three times greater than the second-highest destination on the list, India’s Pink City of Jaipur.

So what is driving all the attention to this under-the-radar location? To start, Limón offers a completely different side of Costa Rica than the well-known Pacific resorts. It sits on the Caribbean coast, with jungle views, miles of sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, and blue waters sheltering coral reefs. Life here is more relaxed than in other regions, like the Central Valley, home to San José, a highly-rated destination in Central America for solo travelers. Prices for lodging and food in Limón also tend to be lower than Costa Rica’s more commercial areas.

Read more: 8 Caribbean Islands Safe From Hurricanes

Discover Limón’s beaches, trails, and wildlife

When visiting Limón, most travelers base themselves near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The town is known for reggae bars, colorful shops, and beachfront shacks serving everything from fresh seafood to jerk chicken. From here, it’s easy to reach Playa Cocles, Playa Negra, and Punta Uva, three scenic beaches surrounded by greenery. Surfing, paddleboarding, and snorkeling are common in the area.