New study names 10 best cities in Europe to live - UK city named number one
This UK city beats Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Milan to the top spot in a survey of the 100 best European cities.
London has been named the best city in Europe beating Paris, Berlin and Rome to the top spot in an annual survey. Britain's capital city won praise for its shops, bars, restaurants and hotels in the rankings compiled by real estate, tourism and development consultancy, Resonance.
A total of 180 cities with a population of 500,000 or more were considered for the list before it was whittled down to Europe's 100 best urban centres.
The judges considered a range of factors, including airport connectivity, higher education, Tripadvisor recommendations, poverty rates and how many companies listed in the Fortune Global 500 are headquartered there.
Russian cities were disqualified from the ranking for the second year in a row due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
London won praise for mostly returning to pre-pandemic Tube travel levels, the Elizabeth Line and new hotels such as the luxury 1 Hotel Mayfair.
Judges said of the UK capital: "Whether you’re outdoorsy, hungry, or bringing a family in tow, there’s a distinct London neighbourhood to investigate—and it will likely look different from your last visit."
The British capital was followed in descending order by Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Prague, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Istanbul and Milan. Paris ranked number one for its sights and landmarks, as well as the number of Fortune Global 500 companies headquartered there.
Resonance said: "The city remains the most visited on the planet, with 44 million visitors last year."
Plaudits for Paris include a £214million (250 million euro) renovation of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport's Termninal 1 and upcoming launch of a seven hour Berlin to Paris TGV line.
Judges said: "As Paris gears up for the 2024 Olympics, it’s only improving. Better infrastructure, a commitment to pedestrians, and luxurious hotels add to a city we love for its world-class art, shopping, and global cuisine."
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Berlin climbed from seventh last year to third place in 2024's ranking. The German capital won praise for it culture, museums and nightlife.
Rome has also risen up the ranking, from eighth to fourth position this year. It ranked first for restaurants in a tie with Istanbul, Madrid and Barcelona, which fell from fourth place to seventh.
Italy's capital city was praised by the judges for its influx of restaurants, amenities and "top-tier" hotels, including Bulgari Hotel Roma and Six Senses Rome.
Prague, a new entry to the top 10, was hailed for its relatively low poverty rate and the "modern optimism" of some of its architecture.
Another city to fall down the rankings is Amsterdam, though it is a "city to keep an eye on", according to the judges. Its easy accessibility, "beautiful" canals and "world class" museums mean it remains a popular destination in Europe.