Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga named the coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out

• Time Out reveals the 40 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World for 2026 , selected by its global network of local editors and experts
• Jongno 3-ga in Seoul takes the top spot , with a new generation breathing fresh life into its historic streets through late-night food stalls, independent craft workshops and bars
• L'Ocean District in Rabat ranks second , followed by Neos Kosmos in Athens, Chinatown in Los Angeles and Govanhill in Glasgow
• The list spans 40 cities across 26 countries and territories , from creative warehouse districts and seaside neighbourhoods to historic downtown areas experiencing a new lease of life
• Neighbourhoods were assessed for what makes them exciting places to be right now , including food and drink, nightlife, culture, unique local businesses, liveability and community

Jongno 3-ga in Seoul has been named the coolest neighbourhood in the world for 2026 by Time Out , as the global media and hospitality brand reveals its annual ranking of the 40 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World.

The list celebrates the pockets of cities around the world that are especially exciting right now - places where great restaurants, bars and cultural spaces sit alongside independent businesses, strong communities and a distinctive local character.

This year's ranking reflects a changing picture of urban life. Alongside neighbourhoods that have long been local favourites, the list includes city-centre districts enjoying a resurgence, former industrial areas finding new creative identities and communities where independent businesses and new cultural spaces are flourishing.

The 40 neighbourhoods were nominated by Time Out's global network of local editors and experts, who spend their days exploring their cities and identifying the places shaping city life right now. A panel of Time Out editors then assessed the nominations against criteria including food and drink, nightlife, culture, unique local businesses, liveability and sense of community .

Taking the number one spot is Jongno 3-ga in Seoul , where one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods is finding new energy without losing its character. The historic hanoks of Ikseon-dong have long attracted visitors, but a new after-dark scene is emerging around the neighbourhood's pochas - traditional late-night food stalls that are increasingly drawing younger crowds for affordable food and an unpretentious night out. Elsewhere in the neighbourhood, Seosulla-gil has evolved from a quiet lane beside Jongmyo Shrine into a hub of independent craft workshops, jewellery studios and sophisticated bars.

L'Ocean District in Rabat ranks second. Running along the Atlantic coast between the Medina and a former eighteenth-century palace, the neighbourhood combines beaches and a palm-lined promenade with street art, independent cafés and cultural spaces. New pedestrianised areas such as Rue Bruxelles are adding to its strong sense of community.

At number three is Neos Kosmos in Athens , a neighbourhood between the Acropolis and the Athenian Riviera that has quietly developed one of the city's most interesting food and creative scenes. Traditional tavernas and bakeries now sit alongside new restaurants, cafés and bars, while Onassis Stegi remains a major centre for contemporary Greek culture.

Chinatown in Los Angeles takes fourth place, balancing its Chinese-American heritage with a wave of new restaurants, cafés, bars, galleries and music venues. New arrivals sit alongside longstanding institutions including Phoenix Bakery and Philippe the Original, while the 32-acre LA State Historic Park gives the downtown neighbourhood a sizeable dose of green space.

Completing the global top five is Govanhill in Glasgow . One of the city's most diverse neighbourhoods has become an increasingly important home for artists, writers and Glasgow's queer community, with independent bookshops, pubs, restaurants and the Glasgow Zine Library adding to the area's creative energy. Its mix of newer arrivals and longstanding Irish, Pakistani, Indian and Eastern European communities remains central to its character.

The rest of the top ten takes the ranking around the world. Kitakagaya in Osaka is sixth, where former factories and warehouses have become studios and art spaces; Chapinero Alto in Bogotá places seventh; Koenji in Tokyo , known for its fiercely independent spirit, comes eighth; Downtown St. Catharines in Canada is ninth; and multicultural Esquilino in Rome completes the top ten.

The UK has three neighbourhoods in the global 40, led by Govanhill in Glasgow at number five . Cathedral Quarter in Belfast ranks 24th , while Newington Green in London places 33rd , recognised for a food and drink scene that combines acclaimed new openings with longstanding Turkish and Cypriot businesses and a strong sense of local community.

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said:

"Now in its ninth year, Time Out's Coolest Neighbourhoods is a definitive annual guide to the greatest places to eat, drink, shop and hang out right now. Every spot on this list was chosen by a local expert because it showcases the very best of their city, from exciting new ventures in food and drink to community initiatives and day-to-night fun.

This year's ranking reflects the changing face of city life. There are more downtown neighbourhoods on the list than in previous years; a city centre resurgence that reflects the evolution of how we live, work and play in our cities. Elsewhere, there are seaside strips, homely enclaves, creative zones and booming dining destinations. In short, these are the unmissable neighbourhoods for your next city break, and well worth planning a trip around over the next 12 months."

The full list of Time Out's 40 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World 2026 can be found at: www.timeout.com/travel/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world-2026

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Notes to Editors

Methodology

Time Out's annual Coolest Neighbourhoods ranking celebrates the most exciting neighbourhoods to visit and spend time in right now.

For the 2026 list, Time Out's global network of local editors and experts nominated neighbourhoods from cities around the world, drawing on their on-the-ground knowledge of the places where they live and work.

A panel of Time Out editors then assessed the nominations against a range of factors including food and drink, nightlife, culture, unique local businesses, liveability and sense of community , before determining the final ranking.

The 40 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World 2026

1. Jongno 3-ga, Seoul, South Korea
2. L'Ocean District, Rabat, Morocco
3. Neos Kosmos, Athens, Greece
4. Chinatown, Los Angeles, USA
5. Govanhill, Glasgow, UK
6. Kitakagaya, Osaka, Japan
7. Chapinero Alto, Bogotá, Colombia
8. Koenji, Tokyo, Japan
9. Downtown, St. Catharines, Canada
10. Esquilino, Rome, Italy
11. Russafa, Valencia, Spain
12. Tân Định, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
13. São Bento, Lisbon, Portugal
14. Talat Noi, Bangkok, Thailand
15. Slakthusområdet, Stockholm, Sweden
16. Humayunpur, Delhi, India
17. Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
18. West Town, Chicago, USA
19. Rákóczi tér, Budapest, Hungary
20. Jalan Besar, Singapore
21. Crooswijk, Rotterdam, Netherlands
22. Chacagiales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
23. Bandra West, Mumbai, India
24. Cathedral Quarter, Belfast, UK
25. República, São Paulo, Brazil
26. Changning, Shanghai, China
27. Oost, Amsterdam, Netherlands
28. Financial District, New York, USA
29. New Farm, Brisbane, Australia
30. Quartier d'Aligre, Paris, France
31. Kalk Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
32. North Hobart, Hobart, Australia
33. Newington Green, London, UK
34. Yulin, Chengdu, China
35. Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, Canada
36. Centro Histórico, Lima, Peru
37. Boavista, Porto, Portugal
38. Starstreet Precinct, Hong Kong
39. South Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
40. Distillery District, Lexington, USA

About Time Out Group

Time Out Group is a global brand that inspires and enables people to experience the best of the city. Time Out launched in London in 1968 to help people discover the best of the city - today it is the only global brand dedicated to city life. Expert journalists curate and create content about the best things to Do, See and Eat across over 350 cities in over 50 countries and across a unique multi-platform model spanning both digital and physical channels.

Time Out Market is the world's first editorially curated food and cultural destination, bringing a city's best chefs, restaurateurs and unique cultural experiences together under one roof. There are currently Markets in 13 cities including Lisbon, New York and Dubai, with several new locations expected to open in 2026 and beyond, in addition to a pipeline of further locations in advanced discussions.

Time Out Group PLC, listed on AIM, is headquartered in London (UK).