Which Twenty Cities Are Popular With Gen Z In 2026?
Like many before them, Gen Z like to socialise and live in cities that offer the amenities they’re looking for.
Time Out surveyed visitors aged 18 – 29 from around the world and asked them questions about nightlife, affordability, walkability, a sense of community and entertainment amongst others.
From the responses they compiled a list of the top twenty cities that are desirable to Gen Z. These cities, though, offer something for everyone, really.
Which city would you like to visit?
Maybe some of these might inspire all of us to take our next holiday in one of the world’s top city destinations!
List of top twenty cities Gen Z would like to live in.
1. Tokyo, Japan
2. Porto, Portugal
3. Melbourne, Australia
4. Edinburgh, Scotland (check out our guide to Edinburgh)
5. Shanghai, China
6. New York, USA
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
8. Berlin, Germany
9. Valencia, Spain
10. Bangkok, Thailand
11. Naples, Italy
12. Cape Town, South Africa
13. Krakow. Poland
14. Seoul, South Korea
15. Paris, France
16. Athens, Greece
17. Mexico City, Mexico
18. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
19. Vancouver, Canada
20. Vienna, Austria
So, out of the twenty, we’ve picked five to take a closer look at and that are clear winners in the ‘best cities’ category right now. Admittedly, though, all the cities above look brilliant.
In no particular order…
Porto
Sip on a glass of their famous port wine at an eatery while taking in the views of the beautiful Douro River. You can walk along the narrow, cobbled streets and feel that you are taking a walk in history.
The Sao Bento Railway Station is a must-see with its intricate blue and white tile panels that you will see in the main hall.
A cappuccino will cost you around $2.66.
An average meal out will cost you $12.00 to $29.00.
Cape Town
Relax on a boat in Table Bay and drink in the beauty of a golden sunset as you soak up this beautiful spot on the edge of the African continent.
From the vibrant V&A Waterfront to the lively nightlife scene, Cape Town has something for everyone. You can ride the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain and thrill at the 360 degree views. Then grab something to eat at the restaurant on the mountain and take a photo of the unforgettable scenery below; Cape Town and the ocean stretched out like a map.
Why not grab an iconic Gatsby? It’s a huge sandwich roll filled with calamari, steak or fish fillet and chips depending on your choice. The Gatsby is very filling and a full-size one can easily feed four people!
A cappuccino in the city will cost you around $2.50.
An average meal out will cost you between $15.00 and $30.00.
Copenhagen
Cycle around this beautiful city, taking in the sights of Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn and The Little Mermaid sculpture. If walking is your thing, then strolling along Strøget, might be just the thing for you. It is a major shopping street in Copenhagen.
From all that walking and cycling, you will be bound to get an attack of the munchies! Why not grab a bite to eat and try out smørrebrød? This dense rye bread is topped with salmon or herring. Yummy!
A cappuccino will cost approximately $5.70.
An average meal out will set you back between $15.00 to $60.00 depending on what you go for.
Melbourne
Australia offers a fantastic outdoors lifestyle. Fancy a barbie? This is the informal slang term for a barbecue there. There are free gas and electric barbecues at public parks. Why not head to Docklands, for instance, to have a barbie with some friends? Sunshine, the delicious smell of sizzling meat, happy chatter. An outdoor barbie is a truly authentic experience.
What else is there to see and do?
A great place to start is Melbourne Laneways and Arcades. Here you can meander through narrow laneways and covered passageways. Browse through art shops, taste local beer at one of the pubs and chat to the locals.
An unusual and intriguing museum is the Old Melbourne Goal. You might be wondering what a goal is? In past times, prisons were also called gaols. The museum offers both a self-guided tour and a guided one. Go for the latter if you’d like to hear about some chilling stories of crime and punishment that will send shivers down your spine!
A cappuccino will cost you about $4.00.
An average meal out will cost between $26.00 and $65.00 depending on whether you opt for a budget or fine dining meal.
Seoul
Stroll through the royal place of Gyeongbokgung, taking in the royal history. Walk along Bukchon Hanok Village, where you will see many preserved, traditional Korean houses.
Want to experience panoramic views of the city and take some unforgettable photos? You might want to ride up Namsan Mountain for clear views of the city skyline.
One of the best ways to get to know a culture is to try out the cuisine. At Gwangjang Market you can sample bindaetteok, a mung bean pancake or tteokbokki, which is a popular rice cake that is cooked in a red chilli sauce.
Food in South Korea is renowned for its heat. If you want something that has no burn to it, you could opt for Bulgogi, beef marinated in a sweet sauce. Or Jajangmyeon, which is thick wheat noodles that are coated in a rich, dark roasted black bean sauce.
A cappuccino will cost you around $3.80.
An average meal out costs between $10 and $50 depending whether you go for budget or a more gourmet experience.
Where will you be visiting first?
Discussion
Do you think that the cities Gen Z are interested in are different to older generations? Why or why not??
What amenities are important for you in a city?
Do you feel that the cities on this list will likely change over the next five years?
Urbanisation has been a trend continuously over the 20th century. Do you think this trend will ever reverse and we see more people going to the countryside to live?Why or why not?
How will technology affect how cities are planned and structured in the future?
What are some green initatives in your own local city that you think are good?
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