New York City has been named Best City (Worldwide) at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025, where over 910,000 readers voted. The Big Apple triumphed for its culture, creativity, and energy, reaffirming its global appeal. The award invites travellers to “come visit and see what’s good.”
It’s official — New York City has once again proven why it’s the city that never sleeps, never stops, and never ceases to inspire. The Big Apple has been named “Best City (Worldwide)” at The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025, a global celebration of travel excellence held on October 17, 2025, at the Fairmont Windsor Park in the UK.
More than 910,000 readers of The Times and The Sunday Times cast their votes this year, making it one of the largest reader-led travel awards in the world. The accolade places New York City at the very top of international travel wishlists, reaffirming its magnetic pull on travellers from every corner of the globe.
A City That Captures the World’s Imagination
New York City’s triumph in the Best City (Worldwide) category is hardly surprising to those who’ve experienced its irresistible rhythm. From the iconic skyline of Manhattan and the creative pulse of Brooklyn to the cultural depth of Harlem and the culinary adventures waiting in Queens, the city remains a living, breathing mosaic of global influences.
For The Times’ discerning readers — a mix of seasoned travellers, culture seekers, and urban explorers — the win reflects what millions already know: no place captures the imagination quite like New York.
“Come visit sometime and see what’s good for yourself,” the award announcement teased on social media, inviting travellers to rediscover the timeless magic of NYC. Whether it’s a late-night Broadway show, a walk through Central Park in fall, or a quiet coffee in a hidden East Village café, the city continues to define what modern urban travel means.
The World Votes for Wonder
The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards celebrate excellence across the global travel industry — from destinations and hotels to airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators. The awards are unique because they blend reader feedback with editorial insight, ensuring the winners reflect both expert opinion and genuine traveller sentiment.
This year’s awards spanned 17 categories, including “World’s Best Country,” “Top Cruise Operator,” “Best Tour Company,” and for the first time, separate recognitions for Short-Haul and Long-Haul Airlines, honouring achievements across different travel segments.
But it was the Best City (Worldwide) title that drew the most attention — a coveted recognition that speaks not just to tourism infrastructure, but to a city’s cultural energy, hospitality, and enduring global appeal.
Why New York Still Rules the World
Even in an era when travel trends shift rapidly — from wellness retreats to offbeat escapes — New York’s allure remains constant. The city has redefined itself repeatedly, and in 2025, it feels more vibrant than ever.
Over the past few years, NYC has emerged as a model for urban revival and creativity, balancing its iconic attractions with a new wave of innovation. The rise of cultural districts like Hudson Yards, the transformation of public spaces such as the High Line, and the resurgence of live entertainment have all helped renew its global reputation.
Beyond the bright lights, the city’s appeal lies in its authenticity — in the everyday moments that make New York, New York. It’s in the energy of a street performer on the subway, the hum of Wall Street at dawn, the laughter spilling from rooftop bars in summer, and the timeless view from the Empire State Building that still takes your breath away.
As global tourism rebounds, New York’s diverse experiences — from art and architecture to food and fashion — continue to make it the most dynamic urban destination in the world.
A Celebration of Travel’s Best
The 2025 Travel Awards were not just a moment of recognition for destinations, but a celebration of resilience and reinvention across the travel industry. Following years of global uncertainty and shifting traveller priorities, the awards underscored a renewed enthusiasm for exploration and cultural connection.
The winners were chosen through a comprehensive process that combined reader votes, expert recommendations, and editorial curation. The scale of participation — with nearly a million votes cast — reflects the growing engagement of readers who see travel not just as leisure, but as an essential part of life and learning.
Beyond the Trophies
For New York City, the win comes as a reminder that its cultural heartbeat continues to resonate far beyond its borders. Tourism officials celebrated the recognition as proof that NYC remains the world’s most aspirational destination — a place where travellers can find both energy and introspection, history and reinvention, chaos and calm.
“Being named the world’s best city by The Times and The Sunday Times readers is an incredible honour,” said a spokesperson from NYC Tourism + Conventions. “New York continues to set the standard for global travel, offering endless possibilities and experiences that speak to every kind of visitor. We invite the world to come see — and feel — what makes this city so special.”
With this win, New York joins a distinguished list of previous honourees that have defined global travel excellence. But unlike any other destination, the Big Apple’s story continues to evolve — a city perpetually under construction, both physically and metaphorically.
As The Times put it, the award celebrates “a city that doesn’t just exist on a map, but in our collective imagination.”
So, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, New York City remains the one place that feels both familiar and endlessly new — a reminder that the world’s best city isn’t just a destination. It’s an experience.
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