The percentage of young people interviewed in Tokyo who declare that they find joy in daily life is 100%, a number which alone is enough to explain why the Japanese capital leads the new Time Out ranking dedicated to the best cities for Generation Z. A survey in which thousands of under 30s told why they love the place where they live, from whose answers a new snapshot of what really matters was born, at least for those under thirty, when they are called upon to choose the place in which to build their life.
How the ranking was born
The ranking was drawn up by Time Out, the British magazine specializing in urban culture, together with Intrepid Travel. There Best Cities for Gen Z 2026 does not arise from a survey in itself, but from a filter applied to the results of Time Out’s largest annual survey on the best cities in the world: only the responses of those under thirty were isolated, and for each country only the city with the highest score entered the ranking. The result, published on August 6, compares twenty-one cities spread across all continents. Behind the choice there is a simple yet effective idea, where what makes a city livable changes from one generation to the next, and for those in their twenties what counts above all is walkability, access to greenery, the ease of socializing and the possibility of having fun without breaking the bank.
Tokyo in first place, between karaoke and thermal baths open at night
The Japanese capital reaches the top thanks to a mix of factors rather than simple charm. The program Welcome Youth guarantees free entry to the latest exhibitions for under-18s, while the city does not suffer from the same housing crisis that plagues other global metropolises. As for free time, there is no shortage of options: in addition to high-end bars and clubs, many Japanese twenty-somethings spend their evenings singing karaoke, relaxing in the 24-hour hot spring baths or in the Spo-cha, indoor sports centers where you can play bowling, table tennis and darts.
The numbers tell the rest: as mentioned at the beginning, 100% of those interviewed under 30 declare that they find joy in daily experiences, 89% appreciate the quality of nightlife, but only 33% consider it economical.
Porto, second, wins for its sense of community
The capital of northern Portugal comes in just behind thanks to a rare variety: a river, the sea, lush gardens and a historic center declared a UNESCO heritage site, alongside accessible cultural institutions — the Soares dos Reis National Museum, for example, eliminates entry on Sundays for those with a Citizen’s Card.
What convinces Gen Z is above all the social fabric: 100% of respondents positively evaluate the “community feeling” of the city, and 93% define it as cheap, in particular for going out for dinner, having a drink or accessing exhibitions and concerts. A non-trivial detail: every single person interviewed described Porto as “beautiful”.
Melbourne closes the podium, between independent theater and four dollar plates
The Australian city earns third place thanks to a feverish arts scene: independent theatre, live music, comedy and even clandestine raves almost every night of the week. Added to this is a recent million dollar investment aimed at supporting young local creatives.
Living in Melbourne isn’t cheap, but twenty-year-olds still find room for maneuver: places like Heart of Carlton, where everything costs four dollars, or Frenchie, where the entire French menu (including steak and chips) doesn’t exceed fourteen. 100% of respondents approve of the restaurant scene, 97% appreciate the cultural offering and 94% have a positive opinion of their neighborhood.
The rest of the ranking
Here is the complete ranking drawn up by Timeout:
- Tokyo, Japan
- Porto, Portugal
- Melbourne, Australia
- Edinburgh, UK
- Shanghai, China
- New York City, United States
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Berlin, Germany
- Valencia, Spain
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Naples, Italy
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Krakow, Poland
- Seoul, South Korea
- Paris, France
- Athens, Greece
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Vancouver, Canada
- Vienna, Austria
