World's coolest neighbourhoods to visit revealed – including five UK destinations
The coolest neighbourhoods in the world to visit right now have been revealed – and five UK hotspots have made it on to the list.
By surveying 20,000 city-dwellers, the list complied by Time Out magazine ranks the coolest neighbourhoods around the world for "fun, food, culture and community", says James Manning, travel editor at the publication.
The first neighbourhood from this side of the pond to make it in the top 51 includes Cliftonville in Margate (at number eight). The seaside town on England's southeast coast has been known to attract many Londoners in recent years for the cheaper prices and sea air, building on the artistic and creative scene.
Cliftonville was selected by the magazine for this thriving community, as well the tidal ocean pool and array of quirky shops and cafes and local community venues.
Next up we have Shawlands in Glasgow (at number 11). The city itself seems to be constantly praised in recent years, with everyone who moves there raving about it. T
he neighbourhood in question, just south of the River Clyde, has been chosen for its art scene, world famous museum, independent local businesses and cafes, bakeries and restaurants.
A highlight mentioned includes the Burrell Collection, which has just had a multimillion refurbishment.
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Then, a welcome change from the likes of Hackney and Shoreditch, is Walthamstow in North East London. While it might not seem like there's much to it when first exiting Walthamstow Central station, there's more than meets the eye.
Time Out shouts out haunts on Blackhorse Lane, the local attraction of God's Own Junkyard filled with neon signs, breweries and artisanal gin-makers, Wadham Lodge football stadium and the Soho Theatre due to open next year, as an eclectic mix.
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Northern Quarter in Manchester, home to trendy cafes and bars, record shops, live music, architecture spanning different centuries and artistic streets and venues, was decided as the 30th coolest neighbourhood in the world.
Meanwhile, Kelham Island in Sheffield, filled with traditional old boozers meets independent bars and restaurants, and street food, drink and markets, came in at number 35 on the magazine's annual list this year. Not to mention the waterway running through it.
But, for those who want to start planning next year's adventures, or are somehow able to squeeze in a trip before the end of the year, the list is also made up of some must-see spots a little further...
The number one coolest neighbourhood in the world to visit right now is Colonia Americana in Guadalajara, Mexico, known by locals as the "country's cultural capital", according to Time Out, with a mix of just about everything you can imagine.
The second coolest is Cais do Sodré in Lisbon and Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap in Cambodia is the third. Ridgewood in New York and then Mile End in Montreal complete the top five.
Some other more easy-to-reach destinations from the UK on the list include Neukölln in Berlin (number 15), Sants in Barcelona (18), Barrio de Las Letras in Madrid (23), Vesterbro in Copenhagen (24), Letná, Prague (31), Noord in Amsterdam (32), Pragati in Athens (39), Haut-Marais in Paris (44), Moda in Istanbul (48) and Stoneybatter in Dublin (49).
It's also the first time a neighbourhood in Guadalajara, Siem Reap, Santiago, Doha, Brisbane, Sheffield, Nairobi, Kent, Marseille, Naples, Auckland, Puerto Vallarta, San Juan and San Diego has been selected for the list, according to the magazine.
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Coolest neighbourhoods in the world 2022: Top 20
Colonia Americana in Guadalajara, Mexico
Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, Portugal
Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ridgewood in New York, USA
Mile End in Montreal, Canada
Barrio Logan in San Diego, USA
Shimokitazawa in Tokyo, Japan
Cliftonville in Margate, UK
Barrio Yungay in Santiago, Chile
Cours Julien in Marseille, France
Shawlands in Glasgow, UK
Dundas West in Toronto, Canada
Vila Madalena in São Paulo, Brazil
San Isidro in Havana, Cuba
Neukölln in Berlin, Germany
Avondale in Chicago, USA
Walthamstow in London, UK
Sants in Barcelona, Spain
Little India in Singapore
Riona Sanità in Naples, Italy
