London retains its place atop the table in the newly published 2026 edition of Europe’s 100 Best Cities, but there is much movement elsewhere.
The annual rankings, compiled by the tourism, real estate and economic development adviser Resonance, rate cities across the continent on how good they are to visit and to live and work in.
The leading UK cities, according to the guide, include an ‘irresistible hometown’, a ‘cultural dynamo’, the ‘Athens of the North’, and one city which it may surprise you to hear has some of the best weather in Europe.
Each city was rated on its ‘livability’, ‘lovability’ and ‘prosperity’, with the myriad factors taken into account including shopping, nightlife, air quality, public transport, employment rates and economic output.
These scores were combined with the results of a survey asking 5,000 respondents across 10 European countries where they would most like to live, where they would most like to visit, and where they believe has the best job opportunities, to produce the overall rankings.
Below are the 17 best cities in the UK, according to the 2026 Europe’s 100 Best Cities guide, listed in reverse order. Is your city on the list?
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1. Newcastle - 17th
Newcastle is the 17th best city in the UK, and the 100th best in Europe, according to the new list of Europe's Best Cities for 2026, produced by Resonance. The report describes how the city centre is thriving, with many businesses choosing to locate their HQ there and the recently-opened Freight Island attraction breathing new life into the leisure sector. | Duncan Andison - stock.adobe.com Photo: Duncan Andison - stock.adobe.com
2. Cardiff - 16th
Cardiff is the 16th best city in the UK, and the 99th best in Europe, according to the new list of Europe's Best Cities for 2026, produced by Resonance. The report describes Cardiff as an 'irresistible hometown', with castles everywhere, Blue Flag Atlantic beaches to the south and mountains to the north. It also praises the regeneration of Cardiff Bay, which it says has been transformed from 'sooty docks' to 'a waterfront you linger in'. | Google Photo: Google
3. Coventry - 15th
Coventry is the 15th best city in the UK, and the 98th best in Europe, according to the new list of Europe's Best Cities for 2026, produced by Resonance. The city wins particular praise for its innovation when it comes to transport, driven by Coventry and Warwick universities. It's also, somewhat surprisingly, described as having the third-best weather in Europe. | Getty Images Photo: Christopher Furlong
4. Portsmouth - 14th
Portsmouth is the 14th best city in the UK, and the 95th best in Europe, according to the new list of Europe's Best Cities for 2026, produced by Resonance. The report states how tourism is 'buoyant', while its status as a major naval base brings prosperity to the city, where the local workforce ranks 9th in Europe for 'educational attainment'. | Getty Images Photo: Matt Cardy