Every year, Time Out interviews thousands of residents to find out which is the most interesting neighbourhood their city has to offer. What places do locals love and visitors frequent? Where are the new restaurants, cultural and entertainment venues? Based on these questions, the magazine drew up a list of the 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world. In this 2023 edition, Portugal once again appears in the ranking, but this time neither Lisbon nor Porto stand out. Almada, on the Costa da Caparica, is home to the 18th coolest neighbourhood in the world.
"On the other side of Lisbon's 25 de Abril bridge is a place of tranquillity by the sea that some call "Capifornia" for its surfing waves, long sandy beaches and good weather. Costa da Caparica has always been a summer destination, but in recent years it has welcomed a new international audience that is remodelling and revitalising the area. Community is the word: people get to know each other, help each other and, above all, unite," the magazine emphasises.
Time Out says that in 2023 neighbourhoods will be "more global than ever". "The rise of post-pandemic digital nomadism has led to an explosion of new community spaces, multi-purpose cultural centres and more cafés than we can count on two hands. But while most of these neighbourhoods have experienced a transformation in recent years, they remain resolutely local at heart," says the publication. The coolest neighbourhoods in the world this year are therefore places with "great personality". And the diversity of each area is reflected in the gastronomy, culture and festivals.
The list is made up of 40 neighbourhoods spread across several continents, with first place on the podium going to the Laureles neighbourhood in the bustling Colombian city of Medellín. In second place is Smithfield, in Dublin, Ireland, and in third place Carabanchel, in Madrid (Spain).
The top 5 coolest neighbourhoods in the world also include Havnen, in Copenhagen (Denmark), in 4th place, and Sheung Wan (5th place), in Hong Kong. In sixth place is the Brunswick East neighbourhood in Australia, followed by Mid City in New Orleans, USA. In eighth place is Isola in Milan, Italy, and in ninth place is the West neighbourhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 10th place is Tomigaya, in Tokyo, Japan.