Time Out has released its seventh annual list of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods, with Notre Dame du Mont in Marseille, France, taking the top spot.
The top five also includes a concrete jungle in Casablanca, the go-to beach neighbourhood in Bali, a fashion district in Seoul and a charming enclave in Portland. All of the neighbourhoods on the list are amazing places to be right now when it comes to culture, diverse things to do and a great sense of community, places where you can always find affordable food and drink, a buzzing nightlife scene as well as dynamic street life during the day, with unique local businesses, new and old.
Each year, Time Out – the global brand that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city – curates its list of the Coolest Neighbourhoods in the most exciting cities around the world. To create the ranking this year, Time Out’s global travel editors worked with local, in-the-know Time Out writers and editors across a selection of the world’s best cities and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. The selection was then narrowed down and ranked using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global network of city editors and local experts who know their hometowns better than anybody else.
Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, says: “Time Out’s annual ranking of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities. The neighbourhoods on this year’s list have a lot in common: great places to eat and drink, cutting-edge culture, street life and a thriving community. But they’re also a distinct reflection of their cities, with each of them offering something special you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Some have only just reached their moment; others have been ‘cool’ for some time and are finding a new groove – all of them should be on your radar to visit in these cities.”
For the full list of the world’s 38 coolest neighbourhoods right now, please visit timeout.com/travel/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world
1. Notre Dame du Mont, Marseille, France
This former artists’ district of colourful cul-de-sacs, graffiti-covered alleyways, and streets lined with plane trees and twisting staircases maintains its rebellious spirit. It is still home to an eclectic mix of residents from punks to old-timers as well as more recently, Parisiens relocating. It’s a small, laidback enclave that packs in a remarkable concentration of galleries, lively restaurants, chic and community-minded shops and new spots hidden behind pizza trucks.
2. Mers Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco
Mers Sultan is a concrete jungle of narrow streets where art deco, art nouveau, and modernist buildings meet – some of the reasons why it has become the preferred place to live for Casablanca’s young artists and creatives. Instead of trendy new spots, visitors are more likely to discover hole-in-the-wall restaurants and snack bars, street markets, local butchers and a retro cinema, where older residents can be found alongside up-and-coming young filmmakers, graffiti artists, or EDM artists speaking a psychedelic mix of Moroccan Arabic, French and English.
3. Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia
As Canggu gets crowded, savvy travellers are turning to nearby Pererenan. This area echoes what first made Canggu popular—pristine beaches, cosy cafés, unique shops, and a relaxed vibe, free from noise and traffic. Pererenan offers classic Bali charm: surfers enjoy its black-sand beach, while those seeking peace find it in warungs (small cafés and businesses ubiquitous in Indonesia) near the rice terraces to the north. The food scene is also growing, with new spots like Kilo Kitchen and Bokashi.
4. Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Once an industrial hub for leather, printing, and shoemaking, Seongsu-dong has transformed into one of Seoul’s most creative neighbourhoods. Often called Seoul’s Brooklyn, it is filled with red-brick warehouses, old factories and shipping containers now home to trendy cafés, boutiques and galleries. This year, Seongsu-dong solidified its fashion district status with the opening of streetwear brand Kith’s first Korean flagship store and a curated shopping space for top K-fashion platform Musinsa called Store Seongsu @ Daerim Warehouse.
5. Kerns, Portland, USA
Kerns, though part of a major West Coast city, feels like a small, well-crafted town. The neighbourhood is surrounded by charming residential streets, featuring craftsman homes, Spanish-style apartments, and lush gardens. At its core is northeast 28th Avenue, a walkable street lined with low-rise brick buildings housing restaurants, bars, and shops, while nearby Laurelhurst Park offers music, comedy, and outdoor movies, and locals stock up on treats like Olympia Provisions salami and Cowbell Creamery cheese from Providore Fine Foods for picnics by the park’s duck pond.
6. Stokes Croft & St Paul’s, Bristol, UK
When you picture Bristol's youthful, art-filled spirit, you're imagining Stokes Croft and St Paul’s. Vibrant and ever-evolving, this area is rooted in African-Caribbean culture and community spirit, key to the city's identity. Just five minutes from the city centre, its independent boutiques replace chain stores, and you might even spot a rogue firepit at Turbo Island. With new eateries and venues popping up along its colourful streets, the neighbourhood is now a must-visit—less touristy than Clifton but more lively than Easton, it is Bristol at its most authentic.
7. Chippendale, Sydney, Australia
Chippendale, on the edge of Sydney’s CBD, wasn’t always a hotspot, but while many were enjoying negronis in Surry Hills, ‘Chippo’ quietly transformed into a buzzing, community-driven neighbourhood. Alongside top foodie spots like Ester, there's plenty to explore: Phoenix hosts public concerts via free ballot, quirky art galleries abound, Fortress is a gamers’ haven, and Asian food markets stay open around the clock. Cool pubs with live music, little parks, and a weekly farmers' market create a village feel, attracting residents and students from the nearby universities.
8. Principe Real, Lisbon, Portugal
Six years after Time Out first crowned Príncipe Real as Lisbon’s coolest neighbourhood, it’s once again ranking highly on the list—a testament to its ability to evolve while staying true to its roots. This area still exudes classic Lisbon charm but now has a modern, cosmopolitan edge. Praça das Flores, the new heart of the neighbourhood, comes alive in the afternoon as terraces fill up with locals and visitors. New energy comes with exciting spots like Giola, Cantina Flores, Cotovia, and Bar Alimentar, recently earning high praise from food critics.
9. Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Glória is buzzing with change, as new development projects attract a younger crowd. The iconic Hotel Glória is being transformed into a residential space, adding to the excitement. Residents now enjoy a newly revamped Praia do Flamengo, plus parks, a modern art museum, a famous church with stunning views, and nearby restaurants. For budget-friendly drinks, head to Santo Amaro’s lively bars, and don’t miss Bar do Zé, known for its epic cachaça selection and its famously grumpy owner.
10. Windsor, Melbourne, Australia
Windsor, once overshadowed by Prahran and South Yarra, is now having its moment. The Wild West end of Chapel Street (between Princes Highway and High Street) is the place to explore vintage gems like Shag and Stupid Vintage, boutique galleries, and cool, lively vibes. By night, Windsor comes alive, with new restaurants and bars offering everything from Nepali cuisine to creative sushi and saké.
11. Zabłocie, Krakow, Poland
12. Little River, Miami, USA
13. Saint-Henri, Montreal, Canada
14. Punavuori, Helsinki, Finland
15. Gakugeidaigaku, Tokyo, Japan
16. Thao Dienm, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
17. Flatbush, New York, USA
18. Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
19. East City, Cape Town, South Africa
20. Belleville, Paris, France
21. Northbridge, Perth, Australia
22. Strathbungo, Glasgow, UK
23. Chacarita, Buenos Aires, Argentina
24. Leyton, London, UK
25. Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland
26. East Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA
27. Ekkamai, Bangkok, Thailand
28. San Rafael, Mexico City, Mexico
29. Mount Pleasant, Washington DC, USA
30. Bonfim, Porto, Portugal
31. Palace Quarter, Budapest, Hungary
32. Brewerytown, Philadelphia, USA
33. Kowloon City, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
34. Logan Square, Chicago, USA
35. Norwood, Adelaide, Australia
36. Osu, Accra, Ghana
37. Orchard, Singapore, Singapore
38. Union Square, Boston, USA