Singapore has got a whole lot going on for her and we mean that in the best way possible. Just recently, our upcoming rainforest wildlife park was named one of the world’s best things to do in 2025 – ranking eighth out of 25 spots – and that’s a clear indicator of where we stand on the world map as a top global destination. And this world-class status is further cemented in a new list of the world’s 50 best cities in 2025, according to Time Out.
The Time Out team has quizzed our city Editors and experts from all over the globe to truly suss out the hottest places in the world right now, and Singapore has made it on the leaderboard as one of the world’s top 50 cities for 2025. Globally, we rank right smack on the equator at 25th place, which isn’t too shabby for a pea-sized island like us.
Region-wise, Singapore claims its spot as the fifth best city in Asia. Bangkok (#2 globally) takes the crown at first place, followed by Shanghai (#9), Hong Kong (#14). We lose out to Hanoi (#21) by a few positions, but what might perhaps be surprising to locals is that Singapore outranks the well-loved metropolises of Tokyo (#31) and Seoul (#42), which score ninth and tenth in Asia respectively.
So, what makes Singapore great? According to the big numbers, we score fourth overall for aspects of safety and convenience. In fact, 82 percent of locals surveyed laud our city for its stellar public transport system, while 80 percent consider it easily walkable. Indeed, with plenty of new MRT stations popping up previously unreachable corners, getting around in Singapore is increasingly a breeze. And thanks to high levels of security here, you’ll never have to worry when walking along our streets in the wee hours.
Beyond that, there’s just so much fun packed into this little island. Some new openings to look forward to here include Kada at Maxwell, a charming lifestyle enclave with homegrown cafés and wellness establishments; an up-and-coming Minion Land extension in Universal Studios Singapore; treehouse staycations at Mandai Rainforest Resort; and a triple treat of 360-degree art experiences featuring works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Gustav Klimt.
Best cities in the world in 2025:
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Bangkok, Thailand
- New York, USA
- Melbourne, Australia
- London, UK
- New Orleans, USA
- Mexico City
- Porto, Portugal
- Shanghai, China
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Chicago, USA
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Edinburgh, UK
- Hong Kong
- Sydney, Australia
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Barcelona, Spain
- Seville, Spain
- Paris, France
- Medellín, Colombia
World’s best cities in Asia in 2025:
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Shanghai, China
- Hong Kong
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Singapore
- Beijing, China
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Tokyo, Japan
- Seoul, Korea
- Mumbai, India
Check out the full list of 50 best cities in the world in 2025, along with explanations on why exactly they rank as the best of the best for this year.
READ MORE
Best new attractions and openings in Singapore in 2025
Southeast Asia’s first Prada café opens at Orchard Road with pastries, coffee and more
Singapore retains its title as the country with the world’s most powerful passport in 2025