San Miguel de Allende Named the World’s Best City, Above Paris
Mexico · Tourism
Key Facts
—Top Ranking San Miguel de Allende scored 93.07 out of 100 in the Travel + Leisure survey, placing it above global hubs like Tokyo and Florence.
—Reader Acclaim Travel + Leisure readers praised the city’s walkability, colonial architecture, vibrant art scene, and friendliness as key factors in the award.
—Heritage Status The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, protecting the colorful facades and cobblestone streets that attract expats.
—Tourism Surge The city received over 2 million visitors in 2023, and post-award hotel bookings have jumped by up to 35% at premium properties.
—Expat Magnet A deep-rooted foreign community has existed since the 1930s, drawn by year-round springlike weather, low crime, and a cosmopolitan village feel.
San Miguel de Allende was named the world’s best city by Travel + Leisure magazine, achieving a reader score of 93.07 out of 100 and outshining major global destinations like Tokyo and Florence in the latest reader survey.
Colonial Charm and Global Recognition
Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2026 placed San Miguel de Allende at the very top of its cities category, ahead of Kyoto, Chiang Mai, and Oaxaca. The magazine’s editors and over 700,000 readers annually assess destinations based on culture, friendliness, food, shopping, and overall value. This marks the fifth time the city has clinched the Best City in the World title, with previous wins in 2017, 2018, 2024, and 2025.
Outperforming Global Heavyweights
In securing the number one spot, San Miguel de Allende did not simply lead a niche category; it surpassed some of the most iconic metropolises on the planet. Euronews coverage of the 2025 ranking confirmed the Mexican city placed first, followed by Oaxaca and Tokyo. A separate analysis of the list noted the city ranked higher than Florence (No. 6), Rome (No. 14), and Tokyo (No. 19) in the World’s Best Cities evaluation.
What This Means for the Expat Community
For the substantial international community living in San Miguel de Allende, the recognition validates a lifestyle choice made decades ago. The modern expat influx began in 1938 when American artist Stirling Dickinson helped turn the Escuela Universitaria de Bellas Artes into an international arts colony. After World War II, US veterans studying there on the GI Bill cemented its reputation as a haven for American retirees and artists.
Surge in Tourism and Property Demand
The title carries immediate economic weight. Official data confirms San Miguel de Allende received over 2 million visitors in 2023, a new record surpassing the 1.8 million tourists from 2022. Mayor Mauricio Trejo stated this consolidates the destination’s world-class status. Following the 2025 award announcement, premium hotels such as Casa de Sierra Nevada and Hotel Matilda saw booking increases of up to 35% for the remainder of the year.
A Formula of Food, Art, and Walkability
The consistent top ranking across multiple years is not accidental; it is a direct response to the core pillars of the Travel + Leisure survey. Readers repeatedly cite the city’s outstanding gastronomy, ranging from street-side artisan markets to high-end dining. The vibrant art scene, which includes high-end interior design stores tucked behind historic doors, merges with a walkable colonial core that eliminates the need for cars.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has San Miguel de Allende won Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best City award?
According to Guanajuato state authorities, San Miguel de Allende has been named the Best City in the World at least five times, with documented wins in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024, and most recently in the 2025/2026 rankings.
What major cities did San Miguel de Allende beat for the top spot?
In the recent Travel + Leisure rankings, San Miguel de Allende ranked above Tokyo (Japan), Kyoto (Japan), Florence (Italy), Rome (Italy), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Paris, securing first place with a reader score of 93.07 out of 100.
Why is San Miguel de Allende so popular with American and international expats?
The city has been an expat haven since the 1930s, originally attracting US veterans and artists. International Living cites cobblestone streets, rainbow-hued facades, springlike weather, a low crime rate, walkability, and a welcoming 70-year-old foreign community as primary reasons expats choose to put down permanent roots.
Sources: Time, Travel and Tour World, Falling in Love with San Miguel, International Living, Mexico News Daily, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colonial Homes San Miguel
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