Barcelona reached 8th place in the 2025 World’s Best Cities ranking.

The new study on the best 100 cities in the world ranks Barcelona in the top 8. This analysis examined cities with populations of over 1 million people, focusing on key factors such as healthcare, public transport, things to do, and a variety of reviews and opinions from Google, TripAdvisor, and Instagram. Additionally, the study included interviews with over 22,000 people from 20 different countries to understand which cities they would like to live in, visit, and the belief of offer the greatest job opportunities.

The top spots in this ranking are occupied by the world’s largest metropolises: London, New York, Paris, and Tokyo. To find the first Spanish city in this list, we have to wait until the 7th position, where Madrid is ranked, followed by Barcelona, the Catalan capital.

What makes Barcelona special?

Like the other cities ahead on in the ranking, Barcelona offers stunning sights and landmarks, rich culture, excellent public transportation, and a wide range of activities. But what truly makes Barcelona unique? With near-perfect weather, sandy beaches, and the highest car density in the EU, it ranks as the 6th best city in the world in terms of “Lovability” and is one of the favourites European cities for education and technology.

Barcelona is a city where liveability, friendliness, and prosperity combine together. Despite its high car density, it remains a walkable city, thanks to the city’s urban planning and sustainable developments. In fact, this year, Barcelona get the 2nd position in the Sustainable Development Goals ranking.

It is a place where you can enjoy a peaceful life or take an exciting trip. Thanks to the factors analysed in the World’s Best Cities ranking, Barcelona is one of the most favourite destinations for tourists around the world. Even though the pandemic, Barcelona remains one of the most visited cities globally.