At the end of a vacation, it's nice to come home and lay your suitcase down somewhere that makes you just as happy as the places you encountered on the road. Each year, the Economist Intelligence Unit gathers data on education, healthcare, culture and other metrics for cities around the world. When the numbers are crunched, they announce their livebility index for 173 cities. You can view the entire list here, but here are 2023’s top five cities with the highest quality of living.
Vienna, Austria
Another year, another number one: Austria’s capital is no stranger to the top spot. (2021 was an exception, due to pandemic closures of the city’s museums and restaurants.) With perfect scores in stability, healthcare, education and infrastructure, the city also boasts gloriously preserved architecture and a rich cultural legacy. The once-home of famous composers Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss, Vienna has a clean and reliable public transportation system, and easy access to cafes, theaters and wineries within the city limits. The culinary culture is strong as well: Sample traditional delicacies like wiener schnitzel and sachertorte, along with a world of tastes at the famed Naschmarkt, which has more than 120 vendors.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Another European capital nabbed the spot behind Vienna for the second year in a row. This comes as no surprise to the citizens who live in and love this scenic Danish gem, which regularly competes for first place in the UN’s Happiness Index and the Earth Institute’s World Happiness Report. Stroll around Tivoli Gardens — one of the world’s oldest amusement parks — where both fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen and amusement impresario Walt Disney found inspiration. Ski or sled down the roof of a waste-to-energy plant (yes, really) at CopenHill ... or at least swing by the unusual building for a brew and a great view of the city. And don’t miss the rococo grandeur of Amalienborg Palace, one of the finest examples of the style in the world.
Melbourne, Australia
An incredible food scene, vibrant arts community, and hosting major international sporting events like the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Australian Open all helped boost hip Melbourne into the world’s top three. Easy jump-on, jump-off trams run through the downtown and suburbs, making Australia's capital of arts and culture extremely convenient to navigate. As a bonus, some of the country’s world-class beaches and wine country are only a short drive away.
Sydney, Australia
The iconic harbor skyline may be the crown jewel, but Sydney earns its accolades for far more than looks. The city itself is beautiful, but it’s also accessible, with botanic gardens, art galleries, museums and major landmarks all easily walkable or reached by a convenient system of ferries, trolleys, and trains. Throw in stunning beaches, extremely low crime and one of the best coffee cultures in the world — it all makes for one winning combination. For a 360-degree view of the entire city (and suburbs), step out into the open air of the Skywalk, located atop the Sydney Tower Eye.
Vancouver, Canada
One of Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities, Vancouver started as a rough-and-tumble West Coast seaport but has transformed itself into a cosmopolitan center with thriving outdoor recreation, arts, and culinary scenes — including nine Michelin-starred restaurants. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, take them both in on a flightseeing trip via a Beaver, the region’s beloved six-seater floatplanes. The traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations are now called Vancouver. Explore their arts and culture at the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology, which has an astonishing collection of art from the Northwest Coast First Nations.
