Following on from our Reader Travel Awards, we can now reveal the 10 cities our readers most want to visit.
For the very first time in Wanderlust history, the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires has been named the Most Desirable City (World).
Wanderlust editor-in-chief George Kipouros said, “Buenos Aires has claimed the ‘world city’ title for the first time, and our readers couldn’t be happier. They talk about the creative energy of the city’s neighbourhoods, the revival of its tango halls and the growing scene of young chefs redefining Argentine cuisine.
“It’s a place that thrives on connections and emotion, where culture resides in communities rather than on display. Travellers leave feeling not like visitors but like participants in something alive and unforgettable.”
Last year’s winner, Tokyo, took silver, which should come as no surprise given Japan was also crowned the Most Desirable Country (World).
Sydney in Australia rose to Bronze, with our readers praising its coastal beauty and outdoor lifestyle.
Fourth place went to Cape Town in South Africa, with the country as a whole named the Most Desirable Destination for Nature & Wildlife. Aside from whale watching from the harbour and heading out on safaris, our readers love Cape Town’s vineyards and food scene.
Next up is Vancouver in fifth place. The city in British Columbia is filled with natural beauty, and our readers enjoy embarking on Indigenous-led experiences here to learn more about the area’s history.
Singapore came in sixth, an appropriate number given the country is celebrating its 60th birthday this year, which is why we included it in our Good to Go List, with plenty of festivities throughout 2025. We also praised the country for its green initiatives, with nearly 50% of the city now covered in foliage, earning it a place on our Travel Green List.
The Moroccan city of Marrakesh came in seventh place, with our readers falling in love with the Red City thanks to its UNESCO-listed medina, home to the famed Jemaa el-Fnaa.
In the year it served as UNESCO World Book Capital, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro was named the eighth most desirable city.
Rounding out the top ten are the Ecuadorian capital Quito, which is our Destination of the Year for 2025, and Hong Kong, which our readers love visiting as they can punctuate a buzzing city break with hikes in nature.
You can view all of the results from our awards by clicking here.
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