What makes a place ‘cool’? There’s the arts scene, the nightlife, the food spots and the coffee shops, of course, but there’s also a bit more to it than that. When compiling our sixth annual list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, what also matters to us is that the place has stayed true to itself.
Community, social ventures, amount of green space, and the continued presence of local stalwarts like old pubs were also factored into the rankings. We surveyed 12,000 city dwellers, then enlisted the expertise of city editors and local experts to narrow the list down.
So, where is the coolest neighbourhood in the world? Well, ranking at the top of our very comprehensive, authoritative list, it’s Laureles in Medellín, Colombia.
The laid-back but still quintessentially Colombian patch of this animated city is a renowned nightlife hotspot – but also a place to flock to for great parks, coffee and yoga studios.
In second place, it’s Smithfield in Dublin, the home of traditional Irish music. Historic pubs sit alongside trendy new businesses, and at the end of August each year is a two-day celebration of all things local and Irish.
Carabanchel in Madrid is the third coolest neighbourhood in the world. A patch where the swanky new modern artist collectives meet traditional tapas restaurants, this place is home to creatives and locals who have lived there for decades.
In fourth place, it was Havnen in Copenhagen, and in fifth, Sheung Wan in Hong Kong.
Did somewhere in your city make the final cut? Take a look at our list of the 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now and find out.
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