Sydney voted world's best city for its unique indoor-outdoor lifestyle

Sydney has been named the world’s best city in a global survey conducted by Condé Nast Traveller.

The recognition comes as part of the publication’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024, where Sydney secured the top spot with a score of 92.26, praised for its "unique, indoor-outdoor way of life."

The Australian city outshone other major tourist destinations across five continents, including Valencia in Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Stockholm, which ranked second to fifth, respectively.

In addition to this prestigious title, Sydney also earned the accolade of the world’s second-friendliest city, with a score of 93.85, narrowly behind Singapore. Furthermore, the Fullerton Hotel Sydney was named the best hotel in Australasia in the same awards.

Condé Nast Traveler US also revealed its Readers’ Choice Awards this week, with Sydney ranking third on its list of best cities globally, describing it as a perfect destination "no matter the season." The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne was named the best hotel in Australia and New Zealand for 2024.

The results were based on the votes of over half a million survey participants. The publication praised Sydney’s unique lifestyle, stating, "If you've experienced life Down Under, you've likely fallen for the indoor-outdoor lifestyle the Aussies embrace so well."

Additionally, readers voted for their favorite airlines, with Air New Zealand taking the top spot, followed by Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and British Airways.

Although Sydney has received significant praise and recognition, the city’s tourism numbers tell a different story.

According to Tourism Research Australia, Sydney saw only 3.4 million international visitors in June 2024, 16% below pre-pandemic levels. However, John O'Sullivan, CEO of Experience Co, believes these awards could help attract more high-value international travelers, those who tend to spend more, stay longer, and explore further across Australia.