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Manchester has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK in a new list for 2025. The UK is full of amazing cities from the north to the south, each with their own unique charm, culture and tourist attractions. Which city is the best in the UK is often a cause for debate, but after Condé Nast put the question to its readers - and the results are now in. According to the Condé Nast Traveller 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, Manchester beats London as one of the UK's best cities. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Our northern city came in at second place, having climbed from eighth place in the same list last year. Manchester was given a score of 96.3 percent by Condé Nast readers, and was praised for its food and hospitality scene, and its array of hotels. Treehouse Manchester, which opened its doors this year, was noted as 'the most exciting place to stay in the city.' Bath was crowned the 'UK's best city' in the 2025 list, jumping up from sixth place in the 2024 Readers Choice Awards. The city scored the highest marks when it comes to nightlife, restaurants and friendliness. Meanwhile London, which took the top spot on the 2024 list, has had a slight 'fall from grace' and is now behind Manchester in third place. These are the top three cities in the UK as voted for by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller: The scores are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction. Score: 97.78 "Bath has long been a favourite of Brits and international travellers alike and, after coming in sixth place in 2024’s Readers’ Choice Awards, it pole-vaults over its rival cities to claim the title of the best city in the UK right now," says Condé Nast Traveller. "The historic city makes for the ultimate weekend escape, with Roman attractions set alongside a recently revived restaurant and bar scene – plus charming boutiques and galleries galore. "The result comes as bibliophiles set their sights on the city in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, with fantastical activations and events happening throughout the year. "Our guide to the best hotels in Bath provides all the inspiration you'll need. However, for a lush country escape just a stone’s throw from the action, check into The Bath Priory - A Relais & Chateaux Hotel." Score: 96.30 "There has been quite the buzz around Manchester over the last year, so it’s little surprise that it’s another big mover, jumping to second place from eighth in 2024," Condé Nast Traveller says. "Its food and hospitality scene is drawing in travellers in ever-growing numbers, as celebrated chefs continue to launch international concepts once the reserve of the capital. "2025 restaurant openings, including Shaun Moffat’s Winsome and The Bangkok Diners Club at The Edinburgh Castle Pub, have been joined by a host of new places for travellers to lay their heads (and full stomachs). "Six years after its London debut, Treehouse Manchester opened its doors this year and quickly became the most exciting place to stay in the city." Score: 92.56 "The capital has had a slight fall from grace, having claimed the title of the best city in the UK last year," says Condé Nast Traveller. "However, love for the metropolis that approximately nine million people call home remains strong, ranking third. "London is a thriving hub of 32 boroughs, each with its own distinct character, from the hip area of Dalston to the colourful Notting Hill and the buzzing Soho. "There’s so much happening day to day that it’s a full-time hobby keeping up with the latest restaurant openings, newest experiences and most fascinating exhibitions – if it weren’t for our regularly updated guides, of course." Also making up the top 10 in ranking order are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Belfast, Brighton, Liverpool and Aberdeen. Condé Nast Traveller says: "Our annual Reader's Choice Awards are the biggest and most influential in the business, shining a light on the best places around the world. "In collaboration with our sister title in the USA, we can now reveal the urban destinations that scored the highest marks when it comes to nightlife, restaurants and friendliness. It’s an interesting year with lots of movers and shakers. There’s no sign of Cardiff for the second year in a row following its win in 2023, while the Oxford vs Cambridge battle appears to have rowed off the River Thames and onto residents’ keyboards, with the latter claiming a spot as the former departs. "London’s no longer on top and, most interestingly, its been overtaken by one of the UK’s other major metropolises." Sign up to our Manchester property newsletter here
