NYC, Paris, Rome, London, Berlin or Madrid? Hellotickets shares its verdict, based on millions of real travellers’ choices
We love them all. We dream of them, argue about them, swear loyalty to them.
But what if we compared them, properly?
And settled once and for all: where does food taste best, which city has the finest skyline, and who really throws the best parties?
That’s the question Hellotickets—the global platform for cultural events and travel experiences—set out to answer, by analysing millions of bookings and reviews from travellers across the globe.
The result: 8 categories, 6 iconic capitals—New York, Paris, London, Rome, Madrid and Berlin—and a healthy dose of impartiality (pinky promise)… with a few curveballs thrown in.
Round 1 – Best city for food
Paris has the finesse, New York the diversity, Madrid the sociability. But Rome wins with simplicity and soul. Just three ingredients, a local trattoria, and you’re done for.
Winner: Rome – A masterclass in effortless pleasure.
Round 2 – Best for architecture
New York reaches for the sky. London blends Gothic, Georgian and glass. Rome is timeless.
But Paris takes your breath away—from its grand boulevards to its intricate façades, it’s a city that never forgets to be beautiful.
Winner: Paris
Round 3 – Best for culture
Madrid burns bright, Berlin provokes, London educates.
But New York overwhelms with energy—from Broadway to Brooklyn, its creativity is constant, chaotic and thrilling.
Winner: New York
Round 4 – Best for nightlife
Madrid dances past dawn. London does warehouse parties and cocktail speakeasies. New York never sleeps, but does nap.
And Berlin? Berlin goes all in—genre-defying music, legendary clubs, total freedom.
Winner: Berlin
Round 5 – Best for terraces
Paris invented the art of sitting still with style. Rome adds gelato. Berlin brings hidden courtyards.
But Madrid is unbeatable—every pavement becomes a terrace, every drink lasts just a little longer.
Winner: Madrid
Round 6 – Best for music
Berlin owns the beat. London lives and breathes its scene. Paris blends eras with elegance.
But New York contains them all—jazz, hip-hop, gospel, indie, Broadway—it’s a city that sings.
Winner: New York
Round 7 – Best for wandering
Rome charms at every turn. Paris invites lingering. Berlin encourages getting lost.
But Madrid slows you down just enough to savour it all: the light, the rhythm, the streets.
Winner: Madrid
Round 8 – Best for a first city break
Paris dazzles but demands. New York is unforgettable but intense. Rome is glorious but chaotic.
London, however, welcomes you in. It’s diverse, dynamic and endlessly explorable—a brilliant place to begin.
Winner: London
Final verdict: 8 rounds, 6 winners… and total impartiality (honestly)
Let’s not kid ourselves: everyone has their favourite.
Parisians will always back Paris. Italians know there’s no city like Rome. Berliners claim the future is theirs. And New Yorkers don’t even think it’s up for debate.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
Because this ranking isn’t about finding a universal winner—it’s about celebrating the fact that every city has its moment, its magic, its mood.
That’s why we travel.
And why we go back, again and again.
With Hellotickets, you can explore what makes each city unforgettable: concerts, football matches, West End shows, guided tours, museum passes, rooftop experiences and more.
The world is wide. The great cities are ready.
Book your next experience at: www.hellotickets.co.uk
About Hellotickets:
Hellotickets is a leading global platform and passionate provider of travel experiences, tours and activities, helping explorers from 21 countries find their way to more wonder in the world.
Founded in 2017 by industry veterans Jorge Díaz Largo and Alberto Martinez, the brand is built on the belief that travel experiences and the emotions they inspire result in lives lived more fully, lives lived large. And living large is what we all should do.
Resolutely focused on the live large experience, Hellotickets is based on a 4-day workweek and full remote model, with a team of over 80 employees living around the world.
Hellotickets is supported by early stage growth experts including Chris Colbert, Former Managing Director of the Harvard Innovation Labs, Pillar VC, a top U.S. venture capital firm, and Techstars, one of the biggest success accelerators in the world.
With over 30,000 experiences, attractions, and events in more than 130 countries, Hellotickets is the premier destination for unforgettable moments.
