Manchester named one of the best cities in the world right now

As well as being mentioned in the top ten of best places to visit in the UK, Manchester has been named in Time Out’s annual list of the Best Cities in the World.

We don’t need Time Out to tell us that Manchester is one of the best cities in the world but it’s always nice to be seconded.

This comes after shout outs from Lonely Planet and New York Times.

Each year, Time Out – the global media and hospitality brand that helps people experience the best of cities – surveys thousands of locals to get a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now.

This year, city-dwellers were asked about the quality and affordability of the food, culture and nightlife scenes in their city and how their city makes them feel, from happiness to romance.

Survey respondents were also asked about which other city they would most like to live in. These insights were combined with those of more than 100 well-travelled Time Out staff writers and editors, based in cities all over the world, who were polled for their take on which cities are the most exciting right now. All these factors contributed to this ranking of Time Out’s Best Cities in the World for 2024.

Time Out’s Best Cities in the World for 2024

Time Out’s annual list of the Best Cities in the World provides inspiration for travel this year, but also a global snapshot of city living, with an emphasis on the factors which Time Out believes make cities great places to live and visit.

Listed in the platform’s 50 best cities in the world in 2024 list, Manchester was praised for its great achievements as a city that doesn’t stand still.

What makes Manchester great?

We all know there are many things to get excited about in Manchester 2024.

Our fair city ranked highly across the board for nightlife, sport and food including ‘countless incredible bands, two globe-conquering football teams, and one world boxing champ, thanks to local lad Tyson.’

The soaring food scene in Manchester wasn’t overlooked either, since Ancoats’ Mana bagged a Michelin star in 2019 and astonishingly inventive meals at the likes of Erst, 10 Tib Lane and MUSU.

The underground clubbing scene is unrivalled, thanks to the progressive (and semi-lawless) feel of Hidden, The Loft and The White Hotel. Meanwhile, The Peer Hat, Eagle Inn and Aatma prove that alternative music isn’t dead, just more experimental than ever.

But Time Out are most excited about Manchester’s live comedy circuit harking back to the golden age of Caroline Aherne and Steve Coogan, ‘full of uncompromising northern voices, and refreshingly light on nepo babies.’

Our hot tips: scathing working-class wit Rachel Fairburn, twisted club comic Chris Cantrill and menacing-hearthrob-slash-viral-video-sensation Tom Lawrinson, to name but three.

Visit Manchester now because

It’s no coincidence that Chanel held its 2023 fashion show here, mere weeks after the UK’s landmark arts hub Factory International opened its doors. A clear signal Manchester is the place to be. The balance of cultural power has finally shifted up North, making Manchester one of the most vibrant and fast-growing cities in Europe right now. And the rain isn’t that bad. Honest.

Mancunians have a happy life

Clubbing and comedy seem to be the key ingredients for a happy life – 96 percent (big numbers) of Mancunians said that their city makes them happy.

That’s everything you need to know about the report, but if you want to see the full list of the best cities in the world according to Time Out click here