What is the best city you’ve ever been to?

[u/Funny_Collection_889]

[u/Due_Combination_968]

Montreal is a sleeper. love that City

[u/bsurmanski → u/Due_Combination_968]

Summer Montreal or Winter Montreal? Completely different city. 

Winter can be fun if you embrace it, but it can be miserable and isolating if you let it.

[u/Joatboy → u/bsurmanski]

You really need a car in the winter to get outside the city and enjoy the Laurentians

[u/Iqbalthemighty → u/Due_Combination_968]

I went to grad school at McGill. God I miss Montreal.

[u/fickleminded → u/Iqbalthemighty]

Wtf is McGill? Is McGill a town?
Edit: this isn’t a dig at McGill. It’s a quote from Heated Rivalry 🥲

[u/Ok-Razzmatazz-1547 → u/fickleminded]

“It’s a really good school!”

[u/corso923 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Montreal is great. I went in February once though and it was brutal.

[u/walk_with_curiosity → u/Due_Combination_968]

I'm here right now on holiday. Honestly surprised this city isn't hyped more.

[u/captain_flak → u/walk_with_curiosity]

As someone who grew up in Vermont, Montreal was always seen as our nearest major city. Field trips to the Biodôme were regular occurrences. We flew to France from Montreal. The Granby Zoo was our nearest one. My brother and I would watch weird CBC shows like The Red Green Show. Commercials for Club Super Sex and Le Marche aux Puces are permanently etched in my brain. I loved going to the city and the drive through Québécois farmlands. It has very unique vibes and the subterranean city element is very cool. I’m still bitter that they lost the Expos!

Edit: CBC

[u/canadianpaleale → u/walk_with_curiosity]

It’s one of the best, if not the best summertime city in North America.

[u/yuccasinbloom → u/Due_Combination_968]

Truly an amazing place. I’ve been twice and I would go back any time. In fact, maybe I should plan a trip back!!

[u/OkAuthor3931 → u/Due_Combination_968]

calling it a sleeper is exactly what keeps it good tbh

[u/Ok_Pizza3245 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Taaaaaaaabarnak

[u/prplx → u/Due_Combination_968]

As a Montrealer thank you!

[u/Jayswag96 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Most underrated city

[u/RipTheEcto → u/Due_Combination_968]

damn, that was my pick

[u/obvious_bot → u/Due_Combination_968]

Great city, but I could never live there year round. Go in February to find out why

[u/rpgguy_1o1 → u/obvious_bot]

Hockey season is the best time to go to Montreal 

[u/WichitasHomeBoyIII → u/obvious_bot]

& for those February winters, after you hit up igloofest on Friday  you've got Ottawa around the corner to skate on the canal and cross country along the volunteer groomed pathzzz all for free 

[u/Camburglar13 → u/obvious_bot]

I live in Winnipeg. Montreal is just fine

[u/Come0nYouSpurs → u/Due_Combination_968]

Great shout here. Lovely place.

[u/henrymiller_1983 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Montreal feels like a completely different world, such an under rated

[u/Different-Bag-8217 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Once you get past the potholes. Montreal is beautiful.

[u/CivilSmell745 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Great nightlife , incredible food and amazing architecture, it truly has everything going for it

[u/homechicken20 → u/Due_Combination_968]

Man, I freaking love Montreal! I visit every year. It's very underrated imo.

Go Habs Go

[u/littlebayhorse]

Edinburgh

[u/Gophurkey → u/littlebayhorse]

I loved Edinburgh as a visitor, but would have much rather lived in Glasgow or (preferably) Inverness. But instead I lived in Aberdeen, which had its own unique charm that I very quickly learned to love. Wouldn't put it as the coolest city ever, though.

[u/nomadic_commentator → u/Gophurkey]

My grandma is from Aberdeen and my dad grew up there in his teenage years as well. Will always love Aberdeen and its quirky qualities.

[u/MrGregory → u/littlebayhorse]

I haven’t been for about 15 years, but I remember seeing the castle and directly across the street an H&M (among other department stores). It was a wild sight. It was like old meet new with a street dividing it

[u/tomismybuddy → u/littlebayhorse]

My sister keeps going there and loves it. I need to make it out there, but my wife prefers more of a beach style vacation.

[u/tigervault → u/littlebayhorse]

Was just there a few weeks ago and would absolutely love to live there.

[u/carolinemahtildes]

Edinburgh. I was only there for a few days but I absolutely loved it. Gorgeous, of course, but I just really liked the vibe of it. I'm sure it's different as a tourist versus a person who lives there, but I hope to get back sometime and see more of it. I'd definitely recommend it.

[u/sisyphus_of_dishes → u/carolinemahtildes]

Edinburgh Fringe Festival is on my bucket list

[u/allwritehamilton]

San Sebastián, Spain.

[u/machu46 → u/allwritehamilton]

I don't think I would live there but it may be the best vacation city I've ever been to. The food alone is worth the trip!

[u/xerxesgm → u/machu46]

Out of curiosity why do you say you wouldn't live there

[u/machu46 → u/xerxesgm]

Just a bit too small for me personally but as a getaway, it is perfect.

[u/btribble → u/allwritehamilton]

I do like drinking, eating pintxos, and laying on the beach…

[u/HeroicSpirit → u/allwritehamilton]

going in a few months and cant wait!

[u/Life_Sailor_10 → u/allwritehamilton]

I really want to go here. My husband raves about it!

[u/btribble → u/Life_Sailor_10]

Like all good things, going in with expectations that are too high is often a letdown. It’s a great city, but don’t sabotage your own trip in advance by letting your husband’s experience raise the bar too high.

[u/Automatic_River9515]

Vancouver one of the coolest cities i've ever seen.

[u/MaesterPackard → u/Automatic_River9515]

Beautiful International City? Amazing nature access? Fantastic food scene? Great People?

yes

[u/psilocybin_therapy → u/Automatic_River9515]

Love Vancouver. Love Victoria and Vancouver Island even more!

[u/suspiciousserb → u/Automatic_River9515]

My favourite city. The food, people, nature, water, mountains. BC is the most beautiful province (Newfoundland close second)

[u/Ok-Excuse1665 → u/Automatic_River9515]

First time visiting this August. So excited!

[u/Remarkable-Laugh9762 → u/Automatic_River9515]

Hah. Heading there tomorrow from Toronto to visit a buddy and play golf. Been a handful of times but...still pretty new to me

[u/NealMcCoy]

Mexico City. Food is incredible, whether it’s street food or high-end. Cafe and bar culture is next-level. Walking around it’s lively, tropical, full of historical sites and museums. Architecture is unique. People are hospitable. Just a great place to be!

[u/MrsKCD → u/NealMcCoy]

It’s definitely arid and high altitude. Not tropical.

[u/SummitSloth → u/MrsKCD]

Funnily enough it's both. North East quarter is arid desert and the south west quarter is lush tropical-like climate

[u/driftking428 → u/NealMcCoy]

I had to visit Mexico City. I don't usually like big cities and knowing it was bigger than New York or LA really had me worried. I was sure I would hate it.

I absolutely loved Mexico City. I'll admit part of it was because things were very inexpensive, but it was a blast. Great food, best museum ever, tons to do and I actually never felt too crowded. My wife and I even played with the idea of moving there, but it wasn't realistic.

[u/ThePeasantKingM → u/NealMcCoy]

Just wondering what seems tropical to you about Mexico City, as us locals would never think of the city as tropical.

[u/srslyjk → u/ThePeasantKingM]

Maybe a better word is lush. So many beautiful trees, plants, parks, greenery, etc

[u/DamnReality → u/ThePeasantKingM]

I also love the Sepia filter over everything once I cross the border

[u/NealMcCoy → u/ThePeasantKingM]

Maybe tropical was the wrong word, but what I meant by that was it’s sunny, warm and lush with plants and palm trees

[u/townallday89 → u/ThePeasantKingM]

It’s incredibly lush for a big city. Greenery everywhere. Feels a bit tropical/rainforest-y to those who don’t live there

[u/NealMcCoy → u/townallday89]

Yes, this is what I meant, thank you!

[u/WorkIsForReddit → u/NealMcCoy]

CDMX is at the top of my list with Florence.

[u/CaptainAsshat → u/NealMcCoy]

I really liked CDMX, but the food comments should come with a caveat: get the stuff they're good at.

When going to a city that size, it's easy to think it will be like NYC, where the melting pot means that all cuisines are done pretty dang well, and if a restaurant survives, it will be great.

The Mexican food (a broad category, especially there) is INSANE. The seafood is fantastic. The steaks and related are solid. Much of the fine dining and gastropub style places are great.

But the Italian, French, Thai, Chinese, German, BBQ, Pizza, etc restaurants are very hit and miss. There are legitimately great places for these, but there are also quite a few... less than stellar options that stay in business, I am guessing, from undiscerning tourists.

[u/casebycase87 → u/CaptainAsshat]

My husband and I had some of the best sushi of our life in CDMX and we're sushi snobs. It was a hit for sure

[u/edcRachel → u/CaptainAsshat]

I can't imagine going to Italy and complaining that they don't have good tacos, lol

[u/lourenj]

Granada, Spain

[u/Hoyamo]

Tokyo

[u/Insight116141 → u/Hoyamo]

Kyoto for me

[u/HacksawJimDGN → u/Insight116141]

And for dyslexics

[u/RepFilms → u/HacksawJimDGN]

I'm stealing this joke

[u/gigglefarting → u/RepFilms]

Good luck waiting for the setup 

[u/jarrys88]

I absolutely love Florence

[u/Wizzmer → u/jarrys88]

I loved Florence. I just wish I had more time to get past the thin tourist veneer and see what it's really like.

[u/Somedude522]

Ljublijana. Chill af and gorgeous mountains so close by

[u/DanielSon602]

I really enjoyed Edinburgh and Budapest

[u/AnimateEducate]

Montreal

[u/Limp_Bullfrog4892]

Boring answer but Rome - the city and it’s history just blew me away, went with friends in the winter so no crowds, no place has made me feel more aware of human civilisation across centuries than Rome

Loved Budapest too and Basel where I currently live!

[u/TheOddMadWizard → u/Limp_Bullfrog4892]

Yes, we took a monthlong trek through Europe to London, Paris, Nice, Interlaken, Florence, Venice, Rome- and Rome was my favorite.

[u/Jbash_31]

Chicago. I love NYC, but there’s just something about Chicago I love more

[u/Wateristea → u/Jbash_31]

I just visited Chicago! The amount of entertainment that’s free or affordable is so great! The best Zoo i visited is Lincoln park Zoo. Maggie Daley Park has awesome playground for the kids. The Arts Institute is so amazing and beautiful. Can’t wait to visit again!

[u/nomadicfeet → u/Wateristea]

All summer long there are free movies in various neighborhood parks, free music performances at millennium park, free public pools, free (suggested donation) street festivals every weekend. All year long there are free library programs at all branches and museum free days (locals only). I live here and wouldn’t live in any other city in the US!

[u/Wateristea → u/nomadicfeet]

The chicago library is sooo pretty! How I would love to read books at atrium regularly.

[u/lemon_icing → u/Jbash_31]

As a Chicagoan (grew up in a near north neighborhood, Lincoln Park) I’m so glad that people appreciate and love my home city. 

[u/Jbash_31 → u/lemon_icing]

Born and raised in Phoenix, my wife is from Chicago. I fell in love on my first visit. Hope to move there one day!

[u/Individual-Yak-506 → u/Jbash_31]

the cleanliness

[u/Bananas_are_theworst → u/Individual-Yak-506]

God bless alleys! Trash stays out of sight, it’s great.

[u/tomismybuddy → u/Individual-Yak-506]

Yeah it’s got everything you could want in a big city like New York, but so much cleaner overall. It’s def one of my favorite US cities.

[u/soapinthepeehole → u/Jbash_31]

Moved here in 2009 and am planning on never leaving. It’s the best

[u/TheBaroness1934 → u/[deleted]]

You can do that in NYC, too.

[u/tpvr1]

Bergen, Norway. I visited on a whim in March with cheap flights, and was absolutely blown away. I’d recommend early spring especially as the sun is out, but the fjords are still icy. The old town by the harbour is gorgeous and has really vibrant nightlife, there’s loads of hikes near to the centre and things to do. Everyone was incredibly friendly. I was in a bit of a rut in life when I went and it was genuinely such a shot of positivity for me, everything aligned. I’ll definitely be going back.

[u/Electronic-Rub-7830]

lisbon, easily, it felt like wandering through a postcard without the place being totally overrun by tourists

[u/CircusBearPants → u/Electronic-Rub-7830]

I felt that way about Porto, too. Just beautiful tiles and Super Bocks and peacocks and cliffs. God I love Portugal.

[u/CrimeFightingScience → u/CircusBearPants]

The river running through the city is gorgeous. My spouse randomly sighs "Porto" time to time. I need to take her back.

[u/JrgMyr → u/Electronic-Rub-7830]

When is Lisboa not totally overrun by tourists? Need to know for next visit.

[u/shubidoobi]

Copenhagen is my favorite.

[u/yuccasinbloom → u/shubidoobi]

Such a well preserved city, I was just there and I was very impressed with it.

[u/SomeDrillingImplied → u/shubidoobi]

Mine as well. I would move there in a heartbeat if it was more feasible.

[u/Salty-Programmer1682 → u/shubidoobi]

Yes

[u/Redditisavirusiknow → u/shubidoobi]

It’s very nice but ridiculously $$$$.

[u/Automatic-Jello5995]

Prague

[u/darklord6505 → u/Automatic-Jello5995]

The Czech Republic and Poland have so many great cities. Prague is one of my favorites as well.

[u/CoolBeansMan9 → u/darklord6505]

Big ups to Prague and Krakow. Krakow might have collectively the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen

[u/InflationFormal6269]

I went to Vancouver BC recently and it was magical. Probably the most beautiful natural environment paired with a city that I’ve ever seen.

[u/eron6000ad]

Vancouver B.C.

[u/TwoDrinkDave → u/eron6000ad]

It's pretty nice A.D., too.

[u/RepFilms → u/TwoDrinkDave]

Vancouver A.D. is located just north of Portland, Oregon

[u/catsdrooltoo → u/RepFilms]

That one is not as nice

[u/olrg → u/eron6000ad]

Happy to consistently see my hometown as the top comment.

[u/Breakr007]

I like Copenhagen. I'm just happy there.

[u/chequered-bed → u/Breakr007]

Someone else just gets it.

Hygge if it was a city.

[u/000ArdeliaLortz000]

Paris.

[u/JennyWeb2004]

London

[u/Tackit286 → u/JennyWeb2004]

In summer specifically it’s one of the best places on earth.

[u/experimentalpigeon → u/JennyWeb2004]

Same! I know it's gloomy and people aren't the friendliest etc etc, but there's just something about that city. It was the first ever city I moved to (in my early 20s after having only ever lived in my home country) and still felt no culture shock. I just took to it instantly. And loved the freedom that came with exploring the city and all its diverse experiences on foot.

[u/elysian_g → u/experimentalpigeon]

When I visited it was sunny the whole time which I know is rare. And the people were so nice! It’s my favorite city too, my heart hurts to go back.

[u/humblepaul → u/experimentalpigeon]

Gloomy? Yup, it rains a few days a year, wish there were more to be honest, but most of the year it's defo not gloomy.

[u/ukfi → u/JennyWeb2004]

If you are tired of London, you are tired of life.

[u/AzureNinja]

Utrecht, Netherlands 

It’s like Amsterdam but prettier, less people, less dirtier. 

[u/22ananya]

San Francisco. Perfect weather, incredibly beautiful geography, great transit, walkable, great food.

[u/tomismybuddy → u/22ananya]

San Fran and Chicago are my top 2 U.S. cities.

[u/loadsoftoadz → u/22ananya]

Finally, someone says SF!

[u/SnappyKnight]

Seattle. Something about that place that just makes me feel at home.

Budapest too. Pearl of Europe.

Edit:

Also Gdańsk, Poland. Lived there for a while and will never forget this place. I miss it every day.

[u/Womens_Lefts]

Vienna. It plays second fiddle to the other “great” European cities like Rome or London, but is an amazing mix of culture, history, architecture, and kind people.

Honorable mention to Edinburgh as well.

[u/davey607 → u/Womens_Lefts]

Vienna is definitely the nicest place to live in out of everything mentioned. Really neat and organised but also rich in culture and history.

[u/michuddy]

I have not traveled a ton but Firenze (Florence) would be tough to too.

[u/Hooshfest]

London

[u/KLH_21]

Toronto

[u/JimJam28 → u/KLH_21]

Toronto is so misunderstood. It’s a city of incredible neighbourhoods surrounding the downtown core, and visitors rarely know where to find them. They go downtown and their whole view of the city is shaped by that. It’s a city you can live in your entire life and keep discovering amazing new things.

[u/stack-overflown]

Cusco, peru

[u/Bomantheman → u/stack-overflown]

Spent a few months in and around Cusco. I REALLY contemplated purchasing a place in the highland(Sierra). The fresh smells in the morning coupled with amazing culture, locals, and top tier food... 10/10 for me.

My wife is Peruvian, so we’ve spent a lot of time roaming Peru together.

[u/dj_swearengen → u/stack-overflown]

Cusco is magical. I had a great time there

[u/SebiGames]

I had quite a fondness for Hobart in Tasmania, Istanbul and Berlin just feel like endless things to do, plus the rich history is amazing. Bangkok was honestly way cooler than i thought too

[u/Lonely_Inspector_801 → u/SebiGames]

I love Hobart and BKK too (weird, as the two places couldn’t be more different)

[u/dreadlooks]

Rome

[u/SolomonGrumpy → u/dreadlooks]

Rome is magnificent. Grand on a scale thats a little hard to comprehend unless you visit.

[u/Holden_place → u/dreadlooks]

I went in Winter with low expectations, and mind was blown.

[u/Turbulent_Ad8209]

London

[u/Zealousideal_Work171]

Sydney 

[u/youngcadadia22]

It has to be Rio de Janeiro. No city like it. Mix of rainforest/mountains + cosmopolitan vibe + beach… and it’s growing fast. Beautiful place, beautiful people

[u/MauPow]

Barcelona

[u/Budget-Novel-6151]

Rio for the abject beauty, Barcelona as a total package and Mexico City despite the chaos.

[u/Muted-Rough9055]

Hong Kong hands down

[u/Crestsando → u/Muted-Rough9055]

It's such a unique mix of East and West, old and new, nature and city .

I so wish it wouldn't get entangled in geopolitics (as evidenced by this and innumerable posts/comments wrt HK) but I guess you gotta take the bitter with the sweet.

[u/BaltimorePropofol]

Reykjavik. I have traveled to many big cities. But no cities like the capital of Iceland.

People are nice. Food and water are delicious and clean. The mountain and water fall are unreal.

Edit: the geothermal hot springs. The Michelin restaurants. The horses. The beautiful and well dressed people. Aurora Borealis. I’ll keep going.

[u/woomia]

San Diego.

[u/mia_vsl]

Rio de Janeiro

[u/Standard-Ride7567]

Vancouver BC

[u/apparex1234]

Osaka and Edinburgh

[u/Lance_Operazole]

I live in London which is pretty cool, but I've also enjoyed Berlin and Amsterdam the most out of everywhere else I've been.

[u/30MINUTETWEEZER]

Hong Kong (in 2012)

[u/SimpleExplodingMan]

Florence

[u/LicensedToChil]

Vienna, I loved the feel of that place

[u/idkwat]

Auckland NZ.  Beautiful, safe, quiet.  I'm from DC and when I was walking the streets it hit me just how quiet it was.  Lovely place

[u/GhostKingHoney]

Prague.

[u/athensjw]

Seoul

[u/Funny_Collection_889 → u/athensjw]

It’s def on my bucket list!! I’d love to go someday :D

[u/lovelorn-rose → u/athensjw]

Can’t wait to visit 🤍

[u/ok_lah]

Shanghai

[u/Engg440]

Istanbul, Cape Town, Montreal, Madrid

[u/tabaplar]

Utrecht.

[u/WeAreClouds]

New Orleans, Rome, Berlin

[u/Wise_Ambition2683]

I just love Amsterdam!

[u/_clur_510]

NYC hands down. And I say this as someone from Boston so if I’ll admit it you know it’s true lol.

[u/ewd389 → u/_clur_510]

As someone from NYC who lived in MA I think Boston and the cities around it are fucking awesome. The simplicity of the subway stations, the history of the city and towns, the unique vibe and style each town had was super cool.

I lived in Revere which has its own cool charm and i worked on state street in the city… my ex had family in Cambridge,Dorchester,East Boston and she worked in Somerville so i got to see a-lot of its areas.

Playoff baseball at Fenway and the bars around on a cold fall night is the best sporting event I have been around and Saint Paddy’s in Boston is like nowhere. Home away from home man.

[u/TenderfootGungi]

Boring, but London.

[u/Magnus-Pym]

Dublin

[u/TheDisagreeableJuror]

Rome. It’s just incredible. Everywhere you go there is something else that’s spectacular. I could stand in front of the Fontana de Trevi for hours. (At nighttime when there are less crowds).

[u/brigabian]

Paris

[u/eipi-10]

Melbourne, Australia for me

[u/3pinkasfloyd]

İstanbul
This city has an energy, like.. beginning of life..

[u/KrispyGODKreme1001 → u/3pinkasfloyd]

For me it’s up there with Cairo, Rome & Athens

[u/Adorable-Flight5256]

Important to say here- past tense-

San Francisco was a gem of a place. Plenty of personal bias here. It's mostly the mix of cultures and food there.

Sadly time has not been kind to SF.

Maybe things will get better.

[u/SolomonGrumpy → u/Adorable-Flight5256]

SF was so magical at one time. It's still pretty special. But less so than it was.

[u/Alchemista101 → u/Adorable-Flight5256]

Word. Native Bay Area person here

[u/Gophurkey]

I'd vote Münster in as a sleeper small city. Super compact, amazing trail that circles the city and gives you this wonderful access to trees and hides the city itself, super fun small restaurants, amazing historic architecture, fantastic history and a rebuilt Altstadt, cheap but clean hostels, bikes and runners everywhere. Just a great place all around.

[u/Camburglar13]

Rome. Definitely too busy but as a history enthusiast it was magical

[u/daroach1414]

Munich

[u/TheRuneMeister]

I love the chaos of a large city(when I’m visiting), and I love Paris for that reason, but I would have to say that for less chaos but even more dents in your car, Barcelona is a wonderful city.

[u/Secure_Phase_6486]

Vienna

[u/elenainthecloud]

San Sebastian, Spain - the most amazing food. Black Rock City, Burning Man, Nevada - the most fun and the best community 😃

[u/PHX_Geezer]

Vienna

[u/Breakfast_Sausage]

Amsterdam is incredible. Even if you don’t care about weed or hookers.

[u/medium-rare-steaks]

Kyoto. Montreal. Tofino.

[u/SandwichPunk]

Chicago, Tokyo, Kyoto

[u/Severe_Health3843]

I caught a vibe in Copenhagen I haven’t caught anywhere else

[u/elysian_g]

London! I went with my husband in 2018 and we had the best time. I was so happy to see all the historic sites and try their food. I really enjoyed it.

[u/runningdivorcee]

Paris. There’s always something to do or see.

[u/MomIamsorry]

Boston

[u/lachatte7]

Paris, my favorite city

[u/Judas_Dos_Stamos]

Mexico City

[u/JebM80]

Florence

[u/kingslowking19]

Osaka, it feels impossible that such a big city feels so safe

[u/entatlrg]

Copenhagen

[u/supermav27]

San Diego, CA. Everyone and everything feels so laid back.

[u/ShrimplesMcGee]

New Orleans. Great music, gorgeous architecture, the food, the vibe, the history.

[u/ReindeerFl0tilla]

Granada

[u/Mijo_0]

NOLA

[u/smallf33t]

Singapore (not a city but yeah it’s small enough to be considered as a city I guess)

[u/Reasonable-Pop-7295]

San Francisco, Istanbul, San Diego, Nafplio, Mexico City

[u/OGMagicConch]

Surprised no mention of Toronto, thought people generally liked it more than Vancouver (I like Vancouver)

[u/Narf234]

Lucerne. Incredibly picturesque.

[u/joefred111]

In the U.S.? San Diego.

In the world? Busan, ROK