Condé Nast Traveller names Sydney the best city in the world for 2024

Our fair city just stole the top spot as Condé Nast Traveller best city in the world for 2024, voted on by over half a million readers. We want to hear what you think makes Sydney the best city in the world.

Sydney’s mix of entertainment, thriving culinary scene, and a coastline that will knock your socks, off made it the city to beat—scoring 92.96. There were no shortage of beautiful, world-class cities vying for the win— Valencia and Singapore took second and third place—but Sydney had the edge.

A hybrid of beach lifestyle and metropolitan buzz, Sydney represents the future of urban living—balancing lifestyle, business, and sustainability like few others. Condé Nast Traveller’s wrote, “If you’ve experienced a snippet of life Down Under, you’ve probably fallen hard for the unique, indoor-outdoor way of life the Aussies embrace so well.”

Sydney was also named world’s second-most friendly city, with a score of 93.85, behind Singapore, with 94.84 points, and Sydney hotel The Fullerton was crowned best hotel in Australasia. Park Hyatt Sydney came in second, Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach, NSW, in third place, Osborn House in Bundanoon, NSW in ninth place

Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island was named 29th in the Best Hotels in the World, the only Australian hotel to be tipped in the top 50. 

What do you think makes Sydney the best city in the world?

Traveller also unveiled its Readers’ Choice Awards this week, with Sydney placing third in the US awards’ list of the best cities in the world, describing it as “an ideal getaway no matter the season”.

While it sometimes seems like there’s a new “best city in the world” award every other week, Condé Nast Traveller is recognised as one of the world’s premium travel brands, and the awards were voted for by over 575,048 readers.


Condé Nast Traveller’s 10 best cities in the world for 2024

  1. Sydney, Australia
  2. Valencia, Spain
  3. Singapore
  4. Hong Kong
  5. Stockholm, Sweden
  6. Tokyo, Japan
  7. Vienna, Austria
  8. Berlin, Germany
  9. Milan, Italy
  10. Budapest, Hungary

Related
Purple Flag program rolling out across Sydney and NSW.

Sydney doubles down on Purple Flag Initiative to highlight night-time economy

Are you looking to spice up your Instagram highlights with much more than just the latest food and drink around Sydney? Finding fresh nightlife spots can be challenging, especially when you’re on a budget. But here’s some exciting news: Sydney’s ... Read more
RAFI URBNSURF is opening at Sydney's only surf park.

Applejack Hospitality opens RAFI as the first upscale eatery at Sydney’s only surf park

One of Sydney’s leading food and beverage groups, Applejack Hospitality, has announced that its popular North Sydney restaurant, RAFI, is getting a sister venue at the city’s first and only surf park, URBNSURF. Opening to the public on July 25, ... Read more
Neil Perry Song Bird

Reservations open for Neil Perry’s Song Bird

Bookings have opened for acclaimed Australian chef, Neil Perry’s new Cantonese restaurant. Slated to open in August 2024, the Song Bird will be a homage to his love of Asian cuisine. Reviving his love of Asian cuisine, you’ll find his ... Read more
Isaac Compton NAIDOC week Sydney

What’s happening during NAIDOC Week in Sydney

NAIDOC Week is here. A week is hardly long enough to celebrate the culture, achievements and history of Australia’s First Nations people – but it’s a start. NAIDOC Week’s (7-14 July) theme this year is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, ... Read more