Top 10 Most Luxurious Cities in the World

most luxurious cities in the world - Eiffel Suite Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris - hotels with view of the eiffel tower

Finding the perfect destination spot for your next vacation can be more difficult than expected. With so many hot spots in the world and so little time, it can be a daunting task picking out your dream travel location! If you’ve been saving up and are looking for a city that says luxury, here are the top ten most luxurious cities in the world to check out!


Most Luxurious Cities in the World!


1. Singapore

most luxurious cities in the world singapore at night
Photo by Sven Scheuermeier

This city and island nation has one of the most developed economies. Not to mention, it has one of the highest per capita GDP’s in the world! However, it isn’t just known for its great nightlife and shopping. It’s also one of the greenest cities on the globe, commonly recognized for its rich biodiversity!

Pro Tip: Even though English is widely spoken here, utilizing online guides and dictionaries to get to know the other official languages spoken in Singapore will help you be prepared with key phrases and terms. This will allow you to better immerse yourself in the culture and get to know the locals as well!

2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai skyline at sunset, Photo by Mo Azizi - most luxurious cities in the world
Dubai skyline at sunset, Photo by Mo Azizi

Besides being known for having the tallest building in the world, Dubai is also one of the most luxurious cities with one of the fastest-growing economies. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down Dubai’s economic growth, a boat tour of the city and a visit inside Burj Al Arab will make this the luxury trip of a lifetime! You can experience this boat tour by hopping on the Hero OdySea with your friends and setting sail for some beautiful views of Dubai’s coastline.

3. Shanghai, China

Waterfront views from the Bund, Shanghai, China, Photo by Adli Wahid - most luxurious cities in the world
Waterfront views from the Bund, Shanghai, China, Photo by Adli Wahid

Coming in at number three is Shanghai! Besides being China’s largest city and financial hub, they are known for their street markets and historic temples as well. From the shopping along Nanjing Road to the waterfront views at the Bund, this destination has plenty of things to do that won’t break the bank. Be sure to do your research on the culture and find the best local spots to check out!


floor screen with brass butterflies by koket

4. Paris, France

Eiffel Suite Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris - most luxurious cities in the world
Eiffel Suite Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris

Paris, besides being known as the fashion capital, is also known as one of the most luxurious locations. From the Louvre and the iconic Eiffel Tower to its renowned palaces and churches, there really is no limit to all the fantastic things to see and do in Paris. With a little bit of research and planning, you can find the perfect mix of luxury and local spots to visit!

Pro Tip: Although Paris is a big tourist destination, be sure to learn some key french terms with a language-learning app. This will ensure you don’t get in a situation where you’re lost in a foreign country with no way to communicate with locals!

5.  Tokyo, Japan

Chidorigafuchi park during the spring season, Photo by Yu Kato
Chidorigafuchi park during the spring season, Photo by Yu Kato

Japan’s capital is one of the most tech-savvy and bustling cities in the world. Besides its extraordinary nightlife and fantastic street food markets, it’s known to have the most expensive and luxurious clothing items. From Comme des Garçons to Visvim, you can find some of the top brands within stores. If you’re into photography and snapping photos during your travels, be sure to take a picture at the famous Shibuya Crossing on your trip there!

6.  Milan, Italy

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan italy - most luxurious cities in the world
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

This fashion and design capital of the world comes in at number six! Known for its high-end restaurants and shopping, finding luxury goods will come with ease during your trip to Milan. Make sure to schedule in Grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the most luxurious indoor shopping mall in the world.

Pro Tip: Before heading off to the Grand Galleria, you’ll want to make sure you are financially prepared to shop for high-end luxury items! Consider getting a spending account with no foreign transaction or maintenance fees to ensure you’re keeping your budget in check. With so much shopping to do in Milan, this will allow you to save more for the rest of your trip expenses. Your wallet will be sure to thank you later!

7.  New York, New York

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Photo by Axel Houmadi | Unsplash

The ‘city so nice they named it twice’ comes in at number seven! Known for its busy nightlife and tourist attractions, like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square, NYC is also one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in with even basic costs such as a haircut costing up to $200!

Pro Tip: While many of its tourist attractions are widely popular, they can also be way more expensive! Try to find at least a few hidden gems in quieter neighborhoods, like the Upper West Side, during your visit.


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8.  Los Angeles, California

los angeles at night photo steven pahel unsplash
Photo by Steven Pahel

Hollywood Walk of Fame, here we come– LA comes in at number eight! Besides being known for its expensive real estate and gridlock traffic, there are a ton of luxurious things to do in ‘The City of Angels’. From their sandy beaches to fantastic film studio tours, LA will be sure to leave you starstruck!

Pro Tip:  Be sure your hotel is centrally located to attractions you’re hoping to visit. As said previously, traffic in Los Angeles can be pretty hefty, so you’ll want to save that time you would have spent driving to explore the city and see your top attractions!

9.  Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland’s largest city comes in at number nine for most luxurious cities in the world. The daily cost you’ll need to budget for a trip to this city is estimated at being over $200 USD. Make sure to look in local favorites, like the park at Museum Rietberg and boat trips to Rapperswil!

Pro Tip: Get a Zurich City Card Pass. Not only will this allow you to hop on mass transit with ease, but it also allows admission to an abundance of local exhibitions! This will help take the stress out of planning and make your luxury trip a breeze.

10. London, England

London-Photo-by-Luca-Michel
Photo by Luca Michel

Our last stop coming in at number ten is England’s capital, London! From the iconic Big Ben to the many high-end restaurants, London will be sure to steal your heart and help create a memorable experience. Even if you only have a few days in London, there is still so much you can see and do in a short timeframe to make the trip worthwhile.

Finding one of the most luxurious cities in the world to visit can make your trip that much more spectacular and memorable, but it will require you to properly plan and budget your expenses. With the right tools, you can successfully find your dream luxury vacation destination and get to booking!


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