The 12 cities to visit in 2019, ranked from last to first

Do you want to walk through the Buda Hills with views over the Hungarian capital?

To enjoy your iced coffee in Ho Chi Minh City?

To dance until morning in a club in Lima?

You don't need to look any further!

In the list below, you will find the 12 best cities in the world for 2019 from a cultural perspective.

Each of the following cities is worthy of being on your list of destinations for 2019.

 

12. Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington was one of the world's top travel destinations for 2018. Like many other coastal cities, it enjoys mild weather all year round, a carefree vibe, and friendly people that make the area an excellent place to relax and recharge your batteries.

The Look See Wellington programme offers 100 tech workers a free week-long stay in the Kiwi capital if they participate in pre-arranged job interviews while in the city.

The city also has a thriving food scene, with August's Wellington On a Plate festival being a highlight.

One thing to do in Wellington:

Hike or cycle through the Wellington Town belt up to the summit of Mount Victoria. You'll enjoy excellent views and already have had a good workout from the climb.

 

11. Bogota, Colombia

The turbulent life in Bogota is now starting to fade, making 2019 the ideal time to visit the Colombian capital.

It is one of the most vibrant cities in South America, offering you the chance to admire its art and culture, while its fashion and gastronomy are equally exciting.

Fresh juices and the globally renowned Colombian coffee are available throughout the city, but a neighbourhood you must experience is the historic centre of La Candelaria, where you'll also find a museum dedicated to the sculptor and painter Fernando Botero.

On Sundays, a large network of streets running through the city is closed to cars, so you can walk, cycle, or jog through the city's streets with absolute ease.

One thing to do in Bogota:

Take the Cerro Monserrate cable car and enjoy the best views of the city.

 

10. Marrakech, Morocco

The first cultural and artistic hub of North Africa, Marrakech has been a popular tourist destination for years.

In 2015, the Oasis Festival began, hosting local and international musicians, and three years later, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum opened, significantly adding to the city's cultural landscape.

Good weather in Marrakech is guaranteed in autumn and spring, while shopping in the city's souks and malls is first-class. The historic centre of Marrakech, the Medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

One thing to do in Marrakech:

Walk in the Majorelle Garden, created by French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1923.

 

9. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest's significant and long history is largely revealed through its architecture, with Art Nouveau, Gothic, Renaissance, Classical, and Baroque styles that will catch your eye on any building you observe.

Budapest is known for its thermal baths, but it has also begun to emerge as a gastronomic destination ideal for all those seeking Michelin-starred restaurants. After dinner, head to one of the most popular places to enjoy a cocktail while surrounded by beautiful ruined buildings.

With a quick ride on public transport, you can visit the Buda Hills, enjoy the natural scenery, and explore the city.

One thing to do in Budapest:

Visit the thermal baths and relax in one of the many pools.

 

8. Istanbul, Turkey

There's no better time than now to visit this 2,500-year-old city.

It has been the capital of four empires throughout its history: Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman. Their influences are visible everywhere in the city today.

The Grand Bazaar is always a unique experience for all who visit. A special cultural event is the Istanbul Biennale Art 2019, which will take place from September to November.

Curator Nicolas Bourriaud promises to explore the city's unique position as a bridge between East and West.

One thing to do in Istanbul:

Take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea with the Mediterranean and separates the two continents on which the city lies: Europe and Asia.

 

7. Tokyo, Japan

The 2019 Rugby World Cup starts in September and the 2020 Olympic Games, which will be hosted in Tokyo, are fast approaching.

So, this is the best time to plan a trip to the Japanese capital.

More than 200 Michelin-starred restaurants make this metropolis the ideal destination to enjoy gastronomic specialities such as sushi, ramen, and tempura.

Discover the world's most efficient public transport system, which includes 13 metro lines and over 100 surface routes, and enjoy this unique way of getting around the fastest-paced city in the world.

One thing to do in Tokyo:

Admire the neon lights of Shinjuku at dusk.

 

6. Lima, Peru

Very close to Machu Picchu, the Peruvian capital deserves travellers' full attention.

The unofficial culinary capital of South America, Lima, offers excellent food capable of rivalling any other food destination in the world. The delicious ceviche and the sweet and crispy churros are something you must not miss trying while in Lima.

In Lima, you can conquer the waves with your surfboard in the morning, visit the Museo Larco for Pre-Columbian art before lunch, enjoy your pisco sour in the afternoon, and have an unforgettable night out in the city that lasts until the early hours.

One thing to do in Lima:

Try Javier Wong's ceviche at his small restaurant, Chez Wong.

 

5. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town has a reputation (which it largely deserves) as a producer of high-quality wine.

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art recently opened in the city, enhancing its cultural scene. The Zeitz MOCAA houses the largest collection of African art in the world.

In the same building, there is a hotel on the upper floors with views extending far beyond the bay.

As winter arrives in the northern hemisphere, Cape Town warms up with late evening sun, making it even more attractive to explore the landscape or the brand-new Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – an excellent department store.

Search for discounted flight tickets through Travelo for Cape Town and make your dream come true!

One thing to do in Cape Town:

Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway one evening, with a bottle of local wine in hand, and enjoy one of the world's best sunsets.

 

4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

An affordable destination with a distinct cultural scene, Ho Chi Minh City is ideal for young travellers.

The rising economy has brought a different energy to the city, which becomes immediately apparent as soon as you step out of the airport.

This energy increases the moment you try an iced Vietnamese coffee – a jolt of caffeine and sugar you've never tasted before.

Take a stroll through the city's neighbourhoods and discover hidden alleyways filled with street food and various artworks.

One thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City:

Visit Lang Ông Bà Chieu, a little-known temple that will transport you back through the city's history.

 

3. Austin, USA

It's not just the warm winters and barbecue tradition that helped this Texas city double its population between 2000 and 2010. It's also a hotspot for music, food, and technology.

It's a creative hub and one of the top cities in the world for entrepreneurs.

Thanks to its reputation as the live music capital of the world, this sunny city hosts musicians all year round at a series of festivals and legendary concert venues.

When it comes to dining in Austin, barbecue and Tex-Mex dominate. The best are Austinites and Franklin Barbecue, though you'll have to queue for a while to be served.

With cheap flight tickets to America, you no longer have any excuse to postpone your trip!

One thing to do in Austin:

Visit The White Horse for dancing.

 

2. Porto, Portugal

If 2018 belonged to Lisbon, 2019 is Porto's time to shine.

Portugal's second-largest city, this coastal paradise is the best destination for those obsessed with food and design.

The vineyards to the north of the city produce wonderful local wines that flow like water – drink a glass or two with a meal of local seafood cooked in a cataplana, the traditional copper cooking vessel.

As for art and design, Porto offers everything from traditional textiles to more contemporary concepts. So there's no better place to find inspiration for your home decor.

A walk through the city is like visiting a free museum, with astonishing murals and street art on every cobblestone.

This is rumoured to have inspired J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. If you are a fan of the young wizard, don't miss the opportunity to visit Livraria Lello or the Art Deco Café Majestic, where the author worked on the first part of the series.

One thing to do in Porto:

Sample the local delicacy, Port wine. It is produced exclusively in the nearby Douro Valley. To taste the sweet aperitif, visit a winery or a local bar.

 

1. Oaxaca City, Mexico

At the top of the list of culturally interesting cities to visit in 2019 is Oaxaca City, a World Heritage site and the birthplace of mezcal – an agave spirit similar to tequila.

The capital of the southwestern Mexican state of Oaxaca is a city rich in history and culture – 17 languages, even Spanish, are still spoken here.

Known as the federal state of the Seven Moles – the region's rich and complex sauces – Oaxaca will ignite not only your taste buds but your other senses too.

Local ceramics, embroidery, and handmade rugs are just a few of the crafts you can find here. Locals continue to wear colourful traditional garments daily as they stroll through the city.

In pre-Columbian times, Oaxaca was governed from the top of Monte Albán, and there are still well-preserved archaeological sites, including pyramids and spheres, that are worth a visit.

With good weather all year round, there's no bad time to visit Oaxaca in 2019. For an unforgettable experience, the Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead – festival approaches on 2 November.

One thing to do in Oaxaca City:

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca.

The colonial building housing examples of contemporary Mexican art is something worth seeing on its own. (There is also a large open-air market on the same street.)