FLORENCE, Italy — Travelers looking ahead to 2025 have crowned the Tuscan capital their favorite European city, according to the latest Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Florence not only outshone every other city on the continent but also secured the No. 11 position worldwide, outranking dozens of urban heavyweights from Paris to Prague.
How the 2025 list was compiled
Nearly 180,000 readers answered the magazine’s annual survey, rating cities across six categories: sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and overall value. San Miguel de Allende in Mexico finished first globally, with Oaxaca and Tokyo taking second and third. While Latin American and Asian destinations dominated the first 10 places, Florence emerged as Europe’s standard-bearer.
Italy’s triple win: Florence, Rome and Siena
Italy was the only European nation to place three cities in the 2025 top 25. Florence ranked 11th, Rome 18th and Siena 23rd. Together, they form a compelling itinerary for travelers who prize art, architecture and regional cuisine.
- Florence (11) — The city offers a compact museum without walls: Botticelli paintings in the Uffizi Gallery, Brunelleschi’s celebrated dome atop Florence Cathedral and sunlit piazzas lined with family-run trattorias. “Timeless beauty” was the phrase most echoed by survey respondents.
- Rome (18) — Where else can you wander from a freshly excavated mosaic to a bustling espresso bar in under five minutes? Readers credited the Eternal City’s layers of antiquity and spontaneous street life for its strong showing. The 2025 Jubilee, held every 25 years, also adds fresh energy in the wake of Pope Francis’ passing in April.
- Siena (23) — A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, Siena rises from Tuscan hills in a swirl of medieval brick, Gothic towers and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Twice each summer, the square hosts the legendary Palio horse race.
Spain and Türkiye keep the Mediterranean mood alive
Readers also singled out two Andalusian beauties and one transcontinental giant:
- Seville (12) — A maze of narrow lanes cooled by courtyard fountains, the city pulses with flamenco, tapas and nocturnal energy.
- Granada (13) — Nestled beneath the Sierra Nevada, Granada remains inseparable from the Alhambra, its hilltop fortress rich in Islamic artistry. Yet survey takers praised the quieter alleys and venerable tapas bars just as much.
- Istanbul (14) — Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul’s layered history and cross-continental cuisine pushed it into the top 15.
France left out of the top 25
Interestingly, not one French city appeared in this year’s list despite France welcoming over 100 million tourists annually. Analysts suggest travelers may now favor smaller, slower-paced destinations that promise authenticity and fewer crowds over blockbuster classics such as Paris.
What the numbers say about Italy’s continued allure
Italy was the world’s fourth most-visited country in 2024, drawing more than 71 million international arrivals. Those statistics dovetail with reader sentiment: Italian cities consistently racked up high marks for food, art access and walkability. Florence’s compact core, where many headline attractions sit within a 15-minute stroll, especially resonated with voters.
Tips for Travelers
- Time your visit — Florence sees peak crowds from May through early September. For lighter foot traffic and milder temperatures, consider shoulder months such as April or October.
- Reserve museums early — Uffizi and Accademia tickets can sell out weeks ahead during high season. Online reservations cost the same as on-site purchases and save lengthy wait times.
- Plan for Jubilee-year surges in Rome — Large pilgrim groups will swell the city in 2025. Book accommodations near a metro line to ease congestion.
- Watch the Palio calendar — Siena’s famed race runs on July 2 and Aug. 16. Lodging prices rise sharply during those windows, but the spectacle of medieval pageantry may justify the premium.
- Pair Andalusia’s cities strategically — The high-speed train between Seville and Granada takes under three hours, making a dual-city itinerary simple.
- Embrace Istanbul’s ferry network — Skipping the Bosporus ferries misses half the fun and a prime viewpoint of the city’s skyline.
FAQ
- Where did Porto place?
Porto rounded out Europe’s representation in 24th position, reflecting travelers’ attraction to scenic riverfronts and emerging food scenes. - How often are Travel + Leisure’s rankings published?
The World’s Best Awards are released annually, with surveys typically opening in late autumn and closing early the following year. - Which metrics weigh the most?
All six categories carry equal weight: sights, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value. - Did any other continents lose representation this year?
North America placed only two cities inside the top 25, showing a global shift toward smaller destinations outside mainstream routes.
Bottom line for 2025 trip planning
Florence’s rise to the top spot among European cities underscores travelers’ current appetite for destinations that combine cultural depth with manageable scale. Whether you map out an art-rich loop through central Italy, a flamenco-fueled swing through Andalusia or a bi-continental weekend in Istanbul, the 2025 World’s Best list offers a data-backed roadmap for journeys that promise more substance than stress.
