Resonance Consultancy, a global advisor specializing in tourism and economic development for cities and destinations, has released its updated list of the best cities in Europe.
The annual list features UK cities such as London, Edinburgh, and Leeds, and ranks them based on various criteria, including liveability, sustainable infrastructure, transportation, culture, airports, and GDP.
Check out the gallery below to see where Leeds placed on this year's list.
13. Leeds. England - 47
Leeds is rising - on the pitch and in the rankings. Leeds United’s return to the Premier League coincides with the city’s leap from 68th to 47th on Resonance Consultancy’s list of Europe’s best cities. Building on the momentum of its 2023 Year of Culture, Leeds is seeing major investment in infrastructure and hospitality. A £100 million expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport and new hotel developments by Hyatt and Premier Inn are helping to position the city as a growing economic and cultural powerhouse. From here, the only way is up! | Duncan - stock.adobe.com
14. Sheffield, England - 57
Our neighbour to the south lands just ten spots behind Leeds. Resonance Consultancy said: "Looking at Sheffield today, it’s difficult to understand why George Orwell called it the “ugliest town in the world.” Mind you, that was in 1936, back when “in whichever direction you look you see the same landscape of monstrous chimneys pouring forth smoke.” More than 80 years later (in 2021), the U.K.’s fifth-largest city was named the greenest in the country by a University of Southampton study. An incredible 61% of the city is designated as green space and more than a third is within the boundary of the Peak District National Park." | National World
15. Riga, Latvia - 100
Number 100 on the list is certainly not a city to overlook. Latvia's capital is on the rise, boasting a walkable medieval old town with a UNESCO World Heritage designation and the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. Riga is also cheap, with its cultural bounty costing half of what it does it most continental capitals. Resonance Consultancy added: "Fortunately, the great prices extend to the emergent Baltic cuisine, ranging from Ukrainian comfort food at the Āgenskalns market on the Daugava River’s left bank to the €10 Baltic seafood tartare, ceviches and carpaccios at new restaurant Tails." | Peter Thompson/Heritage Images/Getty Images