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
A red dish from Nel restaurant

This fine dining experience is inspired by… cannibalism

Chef Nelly Robinson has built up a solid reputation for doing things differently, sometimes channeling his boundless culinary wizardry into vibrant Disney-inspired degustation menus, while at other times playfully elevating fast food staples like a KFC-inspired fine dining menu. This ... Read more
A huge party for Mardi Gras

30 best Sydney Mardi Gras events & parties 2025

Welcome to our Sydney Mardi Gras guide, where we’ve given you the the low down on all the best events, parties and performances that will pepper Sydney’s streets with pride from February 14 to March 2, 2025. This year’s Sydney ... Read more
A man on his knees

Popping the question this Valentine’s Day? Get a proposals planner

When taking a stroll around Sydney Harbour this Valentine’s Day, you might spot a nervous groom or bride-to-be standing in a carefully-designed array of flowers, candles, pillows and adornments, with the dazzling words ‘Will You Marry Me’ lit up behind ... Read more
Cakes by Black Star Pastry

Black Star Pastry’s bespoke Valentine’s Day cakes redefine indulgence

Cult-favourite bakery Black Star Pastry and QT Hotels & Resorts are getting onboard with Valentine’s Day indulgence this month, nodding to the neologisms of modern dating with two bespoke cakes, The Love Bomb and The Ghost. The creators of the ... Read more