How much is enough to understand whether a city is truly beautiful? According to a new ranking, only 1.5 seconds. Each time, the answers to this question are numerous and subjective, and that’s fair. Yet, a new ranking attempted to answer the question with a decidedly unusual method, based on eye-tracking technology.
The result is a top 30 of the most beautiful cities in summer in which Europe dominates with 19 destinations. However, the first place goes to Banff, in Canada, followed by Mykonos and Sydney. Here are the ten cities that achieved the highest scores.
How the ranking of the most beautiful cities was compiled
To create the ranking, summer images of more than 60 major international cities were used. Through eye-tracking technology, researchers measured both the time required for participants to notice each image and the time spent observing it. The two values were then combined using a weighting system to produce a final score out of 100.
The best result was achieved by Banff, in Canada, with 96 points out of 100. Its image held the gaze of participants for an average of 3.2 seconds, the highest value in the entire study. Mykonos, by contrast, was the destination able to attract attention fastest, needing only 1.5 seconds to be noticed. It earned a total of 87.3 points.
Overall, the ranking confirms a strong European presence: 19 of the destinations in the top 30 are in Europe. Among the other cities appearing in the top 30 are Monaco, Freiburg, Hamburg and Dresden in Germany, as well as Liverpool, Bath, Glasgow and Brighton in the United Kingdom.
The 10 most beautiful cities in the world according to the ranking
1. Banff, Canada – 96.0 points
Banff takes the top spot. The Canadian town, characterized by rugged wooden houses and surrounded by mountains, earned the highest score in the entire ranking. It is also the destination whose image held participants’ gaze the longest.
2. Mykonos, Greece – 87.3 points
In second place is Mykonos, with its unmistakable scenery of white-washed buildings and blue sea. The Greek destination also claimed the lead for how quickly it grabs attention.
3. Sydney, Australia – 85.6 points
The podium is completed by Sydney, which reaches 85.6 points. The Australian city is described in the study through its urban beaches and laid-back atmosphere, elements that contribute to its strong summer image.
4. Bruges, Belgium – 84.1 points
Fourth place goes to Bruges, with 84.1 points. The image of the Belgian city is mainly defined by its canals and its stepped-front houses, features that shape its urban landscape.
5. Bristol, United Kingdom – 83.7 points
The top five is closed by Bristol, with 83.7 points. The British port city is also the first of the five United Kingdom destinations appearing in the top 30.
6. Palma de Mallorca, Spain – 79.7 points
In sixth place is Palma de Mallorca, reaching 79.7 points. The capital of the Balearic Islands is the second European destination in the top 10 after Mykonos and Bruges.
7. Kyoto, Japan – 78.0 points
The seventh position takes the ranking to Asia with Kyoto, totaling 78 points. The ancient capital of Japan is the first Asian city in the overall ranking and precedes Singapore, Seoul and Istanbul in the continental chart.
8. Kotor, Montenegro – 77.9 points
Just after Kyoto lies Kotor, in Montenegro, with 77.9 points. The Balkan city represents another European presence high in the ranking and narrowly precedes Auckland.
9. Auckland, New Zealand – 77.6 points
In ninth place is Auckland, which earns 77.6 points. The New Zealand city is the second Oceanian destination in the top 10, after Sydney.
10. Los Angeles, United States – 73.6 points
Closing the list of the ten most beautiful cities is Los Angeles, with 73.6 points. The Californian metropolis is the second North American destination in the top 10, after Banff.
