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10 Worst Cities to Visit/10 Best Cities to Visit
Of course, no one wants to waste their time and money traveling to a crummy destination. In an effort to help you steer clear of those crummy destinations, Road Junky put together a list of what they consider to be the 10 worst cities in the world to visit. In no particular order, they are:
Mumbai- Dubai
- Liverpool & Manchester
- Any American Suburb
- Guatemala City
- Sao Paulo
- Beijing
- Singapore
- Milan
- Cancun
Weird. I always wanted to visit Bombay (or Mumbai, as it's now called). And Ember seems to be having a great time in Beijing, so I guess the list is colored by Road Junky's perceptions -- which is, of course, totally acceptable. Personally, I hope I never make it back to Harare. Or Bulawayo. So depressing.
Rather than simply mention the dregs and not point out the shining stars of world travel, here's Travel + Leisure's list of what they consider to be the 10 best cities in the world to visit. In no particular order, they are:
- Florence
- Rome
- Bangkok
- Sydney
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Cape Town
- Buenos Aires
- New York
- Beirut*
- San Francisco
I've spent several weeks in Cape Town, and if I could retire this weekend, I'd move there and start a weekly "What's Going On About Town" newspaper. I love that place. In my opinion, other great cities to travel to include Amsterdam (easy to navigate); Cairo (Culture! History!); and Key West (F-U-N).
Nevertheless, if you think T+L's list stinks, check out Cool Town Studios for their regional run-down of the world's best cities to visit or peep National Geographic Traveler's Top Urban Places.
* T+L's list was selected prior to the war in Lebanon.
Gallery: The World's Best Cities
Filed under: Blogs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Junaid May 13th 2008 7:09AM
The world's worst cities are Lahore and Karachi.
Ray Feb 1st 2009 6:36AM
You need to add Peshawar to this comment, as a worst city in Pakistan. Worked in the NWF for two years,1995 to 1997. Met some great friends. The problem is not with the people of Pakistan, but the system. Visited in early 2001, while working in Taiwan. There was no comparison. In twenty years as a Navy Seabee, saw many places, didn't like Vietnam to much, but was getting shot at.
junaid May 13th 2008 7:14AM
In Pakistan people/parents are just busy in booking appartments and plots instead of investing money in their children education/future.
Its mean that
When USA will attack on Pakistan, we fight with our plazas and plots by putting them into launchers and launch them towards USA.
FlyedLice Aug 28th 2008 1:49AM
Just another world traveler here. I'd say your list needs to be expanded a bit:
WORST:
-Bijapur, Karnataka, India. Don't, under any circumstances, go there.
-Juarez, Mexico. Border towns invariably suck. But unless you're looking to start a child prostitution ring or stock up on anabolic steroids, or want to work on your Cuban necktie in a drug-deal gone wrong, avoid this place.
-Pretty much every second-tier industrial city in China. Just don't go, mmmkay?
-Denver, Colorado.
BEST:
-Hampi, Karnataka, India. Simply amazing.
-Hong Kong. Dynamic, mesmerizing. Great hiking and not-at-all-bad beaches close by.
-Luang Prabang, Laos. Well-preserved and charming buddhist city.
-Vang Vieng, Laos. Get off the beaten path a bit and spend a few days (or weeks) here.
Koh Lanta, Andaman coast, Thailand. Endless (and less boozy and touristy compared to goddamn Phuket and Koh Phi Phi) white sand and turquoise beaches, marine national park in the south.
Accra, Ghana. OK so the city ain't much, but I love this country. Just chill in the "spots" at night and get to know the lovely people.
As for the previous poster "Brian", New York the "garbage dump of the civilized world?" Have you ever been, um, anywhere? I can name 5 cities within 100 miles of NYC that are all worse. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but you can't deny it's a center of art, culture, and an amazing mix of diff't peoples. Get stuffed you clown.
Sean Oct 9th 2008 9:07AM
should include Plainfield, Illinois on the worst cities in the world.
Callum Nov 8th 2008 9:25AM
I've been to Milan and thought it was really good,
and as for Liverpool and Manchester, i live pretty close to them so i've never been to fascinated by them, but i wouldn't say they were horrible places to visit, there's still a lot to do and people from other countries would find them interesting.
Barcelona and Paris are also pretty nice, but they aren't on the list.
I'm planning on going to USA next Summer, San Francisco and New York are the 2 places i'd most like to visit,
So if anyone would like to give me advice on which is best then that'd be good(:
Brenda Jun 20th 2011 3:34AM
Well, perhaps you should consider what time of the year you will be going and compare that to what you are looking forward to doing. For example: If you are looking forward to say, skiing in NY, perhaps you should consider going in the winter, etc. I lived in NY for 6 years while in college. NYC is not a city I'd raise a family in on an average budget, but is DEFINITELY worth seeing with your own eyes. Happy Travels!
RANVIR MEHRA Mar 16th 2009 11:15AM
In the TEN BEST CITIES OF THE WORLD I woud certainly add STOCKHOLM because it is really very beautiful and fascinating city full of life and vibrancy .
Arielle Mar 20th 2009 9:45PM
I think San Antonio, Texas should be on the best list. Because the riverwalk is beautiful. its a river you take tours on a boat 2 miles around the river... the tour guide on the boat will show you illusions on buildings... they also have almost 35 or more different restaurants on the river walk and a mall is on it too.
you also have the alamo to visit or six flags, some wildlife exhibit, a zoo, seaworld, ripley's beleive it or not and many more Oh! and this restuaant high in the sky you have to take an elevator to get there, and it revolves while your eating, not fast to get sick very slowly...I live in austin texas i like san antonios activity though
Feras Apr 22nd 2009 4:55PM
I don't know about most the cities that are mentioned, but I'm definitely sure about one thing. the worst place to visit in the world is the Caribbean, yes it's true, the travel agencies they don't want you to know the truth because they are making a lot of money by sending you to these horrible islands.
these islands are very over-rated and the crime rates there is very very underestimated. I personally lived in the Caribbean for two years and I don't have absolutely any good memories to recall.
Anyway, if you are going there be careful from the following islands: St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Antigua. not only there is nothing there to enjoy but also they are very very dangerous .... just be careful.
Meer Apr 23rd 2009 5:48PM
Singapore is one of the best cities that I have visited.
yaright Apr 30th 2010 8:55AM
Thats funny!!!!!!!!! who wrote this article???
Putting Lebanon as one of the best places to travel?? Sure...
first destination middle East..HAHAHA
What a crock...a vacation with military everywhere...hmmmmmmmmm
I think the author forgot to go to travel school .
Good luck
Gina Jul 21st 2010 8:58AM
I live in Bangkok! It's a great city, and I completely agree that Chiang Mai, San Fransisco, and Rome are wonderful as well. However, I've been to Singapore, and, in my opinion, I've been to plenty of worse places. Singapore does not deserve to go on that list.
Arjun Jul 26th 2010 4:14PM
Mumbai City – http://picasaweb.google.com/105433886422359163030/RandomUploads#5491848591611418594
I think this article is just giving a one sided picture, no doubt there is poverty in Mumbai but there is a lot more to it which hasnt been mentioned here. In Mumbai you actually get to live a life. It all depends on the way you look at it. Someone might be extremely satisfied and happy eating at a road side stall and someone might not be happy in eating in a 7 star hotel also ! It depends how your perspective and thats what Indian Culture and Mumbai teaches you…
Few facts about Mumbai.
(Below information taken from various websites)
Mumbai ranks 7th with largest number of billionaires. by Forbes Magazine
Mumbai ranks first in terms of those billionaires’ average wealth.
Worlds tallest residential building is coming up in Mumbai.
Mukesh Ambani is now building his new home, Residence Antillia (after a mythical, phantom island somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean ). At a cost of $1 billion this would be the most expensive home on the face of the planet. At 173 meters tall Mukeshs new family residence, for a family of six, will be the equivalent of a 60-storeyed building. The first six floors are reserved for parking. The seventh floor is for car servicing and maintenance.. The eighth floor houses a mini-theatre. Then theres a health club, a gym and a swimming pool. Two floors are reserved for Ambani familys guests. Four floors above the guest floors are family floors all with a superb view of the Arabian Sea On top of everything are three helipads. A staff of 600 is expected to care for the family and their family home.
In November, Bombay Stock Exchanges benchmark Sensex flirted with 20,000 points. As a consequence, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries became a $100 bill ion company.
In 2004, India became the 3rd most attractive foreign direct investment destination.
For the record: Azim Premji, the richest Muslim entrepreneur on the face of the planet, was born in Bombay and now lives in Bangalore.India now has more than three dozen billionaires;
Bollywood (Based in Mumbai) produces 800 movies per year compared to Hollywood which produces 500.
Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai for a full unbiased picture of Mumbai.
klaus Aug 6th 2010 7:35PM
Bangkok is Number Three?
What can you do in Bangkok?
Eat noodle soup and go the Patpong Road to watch Isaan girls pole dancing.
In the night bazar though they sell classy trinkets, like fake designer handbags and other junk.
Watch out for the missing sewer covers on Silom Road.
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Erik Apr 16th 2011 5:30PM
I am glad to see Key West on the list of other best cities to visit. I love Key West and highly recommend anyone to visit. A very unique connection of islands with interesting locals.
http://www.keywestdreams.com
drrealitycheck Jun 11th 2011 4:19AM
If you're culturally competent, here's my list of the best cities to visit, in no particular order. I only picked cities I've been to.
Jerusalem Rio De Janeiro
Amman London
New York City Geneva
Cairo (pre-revolution) Stockholm
Mexico City Any city in the Yucatan
San Francisco Fez (most exotic but be open-minded)
San Diego Bergen
Buenos Aires Copenhagen
Salisbury Istanbul
Athens Dubrovnik
Rome Venice
Madrid Barcelona
Sion (Swiss) Oslo
Tel Aviv Granada (Spain)
Guadalajara Quebec city
Luxor Xalapa
Veracruz Aswan
Worse places to visit? LA, Miami, Newark, Nassau, probably others I've repressed.
realitycheck Dec 10th 2011 1:47AM
Don't know if anyone ever goes back to this site, but as some people posted here in 2011, here's a follow up to my comment on June 11th;
In retrospect, I would drop Tel Aviv from my list of best cities to visit, although of course I'll keep Jerusalem. I would add Chiang Mai and Bangkok, which are on the list in the article, now that I've visited them. I should have added Zermatt (Swiss) to my original list, one of the most beautiful towns and areas in the world, along with Vatican City, which is technically separate from Rome and has possibly the best collection of art in the world.
akl168 May 2nd 2007 5:14PM
Often times, I feel like these authors write stories without actually doing any actual research. We visited Singapore earlier this year and found it a great place to visit - and will definitely be back. What is wrong with visiting a clean country? If you've actually been there, you would have noticed that Singapore is extremely green (from real trees). In fact I cannot recall seeing a plastic one at all. Maybe I should have just looked at pictures instead of actually visiting.
There's actually quite a lot to do and see there. Plus it was very easy getting around the place using public transport (cabs, buses, MRT).
Now 'living' there would be different from 'visiting'. Try not to confuse the two.