Urban cleanliness represents one of the elements that most affects visitors’ perception of a city. Well-kept streets, tidy public spaces and well-preserved monuments contribute to building a positive travel experience, capable of leaving a lasting memory. A recent international analysis has put the spotlight on this aspect, identifying the cities which, according to tourists, offer the highest standards in terms of order and decorum.
The study was signed by Radical Storage, a global luggage storage platform, which systematically analyzed the online reviews left by travellers. The result rewards some urban realities that have been able to combine public investments, efficient infrastructures and a strong civic sense, transforming cleanliness into a real strong point.
The study: how the ranking was constructed
The survey took into consideration the 100 cities included in Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index. For each location, the ten most visited attractions were evaluated, analyzing over 70,000 reviews in English published on Google in the last twelve months.
Ratings containing explicit references to cleanliness or dirt were classified as positive or negative judgments on the quality of the urban environment. To ensure the reliability of the results, all cities with less than one hundred relevant comments were excluded, so as to base the ranking exclusively on the direct experiences of visitors.
Krakow, the cleanest city in the world
According to tourists, the cleanest city in the world is Krakow. The data speaks for itself: 98.5% of the reviews analyzed express a positive opinion. A result that is explained by efficient waste management, constant care of public spaces and widespread attention to order on the part of citizens.
Krakow’s primacy has its roots in a path that began some time ago. Over the last ten years, Poland has invested significantly in improving collection and recycling systems, combining modern infrastructure with timely maintenance of squares, markets and pedestrian areas. The European Commission’s 2023 report on the Quality of Life in European Cities confirms this perception: over 80% of Krakow residents declare themselves fully satisfied with their public spaces.
Civic pride that is directly reflected in the experience of tourists, who describe the city as tidy, welcoming and with attention to every detail. The compact structure of the historic center also plays a key role. Walking along the cobbled streets or following the course of the river allows you to grasp the level of cleanliness up close, a quality that emerges strongly especially for those who explore the city on foot.
Sharjah and Singapore: rigour, investments and civic culture
In second place in the ranking we find Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, with 98% positive reviews. Here, cleanliness is an administrative priority. Strict rules and targeted investments have made it possible to keep the city in impeccable condition. Over the last three years, over 75 million dirhams, equal to approximately 15.5 million euros, have been allocated to the purchase of new equipment for street cleaning and waste collection, confirming a constant commitment to preserving urban order.
Singapore follows closely behind with 97.9% favorable ratings, consolidating its reputation as the cleanliness capital of the world. The success of the city-state is based on a precise balance between rigorous regulations and civic culture. Laws prohibit behaviors such as littering, spitting or chewing gum, while a highly efficient waste management system complements environmentally conscious architecture. Awareness campaigns starting from schools and reaching the workplace have contributed to rooting these practices in the daily lives of citizens.
Warsaw and Doha: growing models
In fourth place we find another Polish city, Warsaw, with 97.8% positive reviews. The capital combines modern infrastructure and large green spaces, a mix that provides an orderly environment for both residents and visitors. Local administrations regularly promote community clean-up initiatives, such as the “Czysta Warszawa” project, which has seen a 30% increase in participation in recent years.
Doha follows, fifth in the ranking with 97.4%. In the capital of Qatar, structured programs such as “Qatar Clean”, developed in collaboration between Qatar Tourism and the Ministry of Public Health, are producing tangible and visible results, capable of strengthening the image of a city attentive to the decorum and quality of shared spaces.
The rest of the ranking
Completing the top ten cities perceived as cleanest by tourists are Riyadh in sixth place, Prague in seventh, Muscat in eighth, Dubai in ninth and Fukuoka in tenth. Realities different in history, culture and size, united by a structured approach to urban management and a strong attention to the maintenance of public spaces.
Here is the ranking of the top 20, including the number of reviews and satisfaction expressed as a percentage:
- Krakow – 456 – 98.5%
- Sharjah – 403 – 98.0%
- Singapore – 1899 – 97.9%
- Warsaw – 139 – 97.8%
- Doha – 575 – 97.4%
- Riyadh – 1135 – 96.9%
- Prague – 305 – 96.4%
- Moscato – 524 – 96.4%
- Dubai – 3093 – 96.3%
- Fukuoka – 108 – 96.3%
- Abu Dhabi – 1046 – 96.1%
- Zurich – 255 – 95.7%
- Edinburgh – 722 – 95.4%
- Los Angeles – 1931 – 95.2%
- Lima – 142 – 95.1%
- Cancun – 443 – 94.8%
- Porto – 286 -94.8%
- Copenhagen – 289 – 94.5%
- Taipei – 430 – 94.4%
- Valencia – 685 – 94.3%
Urban cleaning and tourism: an increasingly evident link
The analysis demonstrates how urban cleanliness represents a determining factor in the tourist experience. Cities that invest in infrastructure, technology and civic culture obtain tangible results, improving the quality of life of residents and the image perceived by visitors. The message that emerges is clear: taking care of public space means enhancing urban heritage and making every journey more pleasant, accessible and memorable.
