Brisbane debuts on Time Out world’s best cities list

Brisbane has been named for the first time on Time Out magazine’s list of the world’s best 50 cities. Here’s why.

Brisbane has been named for the first time on Time Out magazine’s list of the world’s best cities.

The accolade came just a year after TIME magazine’s coveted World’s Great Places of 2023 included the River City. It was the only Australian capital to be mentioned.

The same year travel bible Frommer’s, whose guidebooks and online content attract a massive worldwide audience, included Brisbane in its bucket list of the top places to go in 2024, joining exotic destinations such as Seville in Spain, the Cook Islands and Kentucky in the US.

Time Out, which last year named the state capital as Australia’s happiest city and the 21st most cheerful in the world, ranked Brisbane 37th out of the world’s top urban centres for 2025.

Melbourne was ranked fourth, Sydney 15th and Perth, also debuting on the Time Out list, was placed 33rd.

Time Out quizzed more than 18,500 Australians on liveability factors such as dining out scenes, night-life, culture, affordability, happiness and overall vibe.

That was then combined with its data from around the world.

Cape Town in South Africa, Bangkok and New York finished on the podium for the world’s three best of the best.

Brisbane International tennis players Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva shopping in James Street on December 27, 2024. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says James Street is one of the precincts which Brisbane so great. Picture: Richard Walker

The magazine said Brisbane’s green spaces and access to nature also helped propel it into the top 50.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner took to Instagram to announce the news.

“Our city has grown faster than any other capital over the past decade, with more and more people recognising our city’s incredible climate, lifestyle and liveability,’’ he posted.

“Destinations like Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank, James Street and Fortitude Valley have helped shape our reputation as one of the world’s best places to live and visit.

“With just over seven years until the Brisbane 2032 Games, our city’s momentum is unstoppable and Time Out’s recognition further demonstrates that Brisbane just keeps on getting better.’’

Originally published as Brisbane debuts on Time Out world’s best cities list