Scottish city ranked third in WORLD for culture by travel experts

Scottish Sun

14-05-2025

'Just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along'
SIMPLY THE FEST Scottish city ranked third in WORLD for culture by travel experts
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A SCOTS tourist spot has been named among the best places for culture in the WORLD.
Travel experts at Time Out surveyed thousands of people from around the world about culture in their city.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
The streets are soaked in history
6
There's always something going on during the Festival
6
The capital is drenched in culture
6
Paris was number one on the list
Each city was then ranked according to how locals rated the quality and affordability of its culture scene as well as the amazing venues, events and festivals they love the most.
This was then combined with scores from a panel of Time Out culture experts who voted for their favourite destinations.
And coming in at number three across the whole of the globe was Edinburgh.
The Scots capital has long been a magnet for culture cultures with is stunning castle, history-soaked streets and world-renowned festival.
The Time Out team said: "Best known to some for the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, this Scottish city is also home to brilliant museums, a rich literary history and electric live music.
"But, just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along – like the buzzing Days Festival, back for a second year this May with its underground dance lineup.
"Europe's first museum of contemporary Palestinian art also opens its doors, while Chappell Roan lights up the Summer Sessions with her only UK gigs beyond Reading and Leeds."
Paris topped the list as Best City in the World for Culture, according to locals with an impressive 96 per cent of Parisians rating their city's cultural offering as either 'good' or 'amazing'.
The French capital has long stood at the forefront of the global arts scene, home to the Louvre - the world's largest and most visited museum - as well as iconic institutions like the Musée d'Orsay, Palais de Tokyo and the Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce.
Locals highlighted all of these in their responses, as well as a packed calendar of cultural events, from the city-wide Fête de la Musique to La Villette's open-air film festival, Cinéma en Plein Air.
W Edinburgh Crowned Scotland's Hotel of the Year 2025
The only other city to beat Edinburgh was Florence, which came in at number two.
The Italian city's culture scene is a melting pot of Renaissance splendour and cutting-edge culture, including Tracey Emin's exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, open-air movies at Villa Vardini and contemporary dance in a Roman amphitheatre.
Florence received the second-highest number of votes from Time Out's arts and culture experts, while 73 per cent of locals said the scene was top notch.
CITIES OF CULTURE
HERE is the top 10 in full: Paris, France
Florence, Italy
Edinburgh, UK
Mexico City, Mexico
Sydney, Australia
Barcelona, Spain
Chicago, USA
Lisbon, Portugal
Hanoi, Vietnam
Cape Town, South Africa
Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out said: "Time Out's annual ranking of the world's best cities for culture is the definitive travel guide for those seeking a cultural city break where experiencing art in all its forms is affordable and accessible.
"Informed by the insights of 18,500 city-dwellers and a panel of Time Out experts, this list reflects the global destinations where art and culture isn't confined to mammoth museums and major arts venues (though there are plenty of those).
"Think pop-up festivals in unlikely locations, late-night museum parties, and a new class of creatives pushing the boundaries of performing arts. Each of these 20 cities has a lively programme of cultural events alongside legacy institutions for the arts – that's why they're the cultural capitals of today."
6
Locals rated their city for culture