These are the world's best cities for 2021

The world may still be travelling in air bubbles in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, but that shouldn't stop you from planning a future trip.

To assist you, an annual report has ranked some of the best cities in the world. National capital Delhi was the only Indian city to make it to the list of top 100 cities around the world.

To assist you, an annual report has ranked some of the best cities in the world. National capital Delhi was the only Indian city to make it to the list of top 100 cities around the world.

Resonance Consultancy, a leading advisor in tourism, real estate and economic development, has rated the 'World's Best Cities for 2021' based on each city's performance in the 25 factors ranging from the number of culinary experiences and museums, to the number of Global 500 corporations, direct flight connections and mentions each city has on Instagram.

Resonance Consultancy, a leading advisor in tourism, real estate and economic development, has rated the 'World's Best Cities for 2021' based on each city's performance in the 25 factors ranging from the number of culinary experiences and museums, to the number of Global 500 corporations, direct flight connections and mentions each city has on Instagram.

Let's take a look at the top 15

Let's take a look at the top 15

London, England Resonance Consultancy: "As the 'capital of capitals' negotiates the uncharted terrain of a post-Brexit world, for now it still reigns atop the planet's best cities for the fifth year running. London ranks #16 for the quality of its outdoor experiences, many of which come in the form of spectacular parks that are the legacy of dozens of former country estates that served as hunting grounds for generations of kings and queens. Prosperity good; nightlife better; outdoor space and fresh air essential; sitting in front of the fire with friends-- that, right there, is the world's best." 

London, England

Resonance Consultancy: "As the 'capital of capitals' negotiates the uncharted terrain of a post-Brexit world, for now it still reigns atop the planet's best cities for the fifth year running. London ranks #16 for the quality of its outdoor experiences, many of which come in the form of spectacular parks that are the legacy of dozens of former country estates that served as hunting grounds for generations of kings and queens. Prosperity good; nightlife better; outdoor space and fresh air essential; sitting in front of the fire with friends-- that, right there, is the world's best." 

New York City, USA Resonance Consultancy: "New York is, above all, a gathering place where brains and bodies in indecent proximity to one another create the sparks of genius, invention, progress. In the city that never sleeps, #2 for Nightlife, night owls order delivery and dream fitfully at home, pivoting to an abnormal new normal. New York understands a thing or two about coming back from terrible brinks. 9/11 is more than a vague memory. SARS came and went. However the world emerges, evolves or pivots out of our collective force majeure, it will happen here first. New York is, after all, #1—or thereabouts."  

New York City, USA

Resonance Consultancy: "New York is, above all, a gathering place where brains and bodies in indecent proximity to one another create the sparks of genius, invention, progress. In the city that never sleeps, #2 for Nightlife, night owls order delivery and dream fitfully at home, pivoting to an abnormal new normal. New York understands a thing or two about coming back from terrible brinks. 9/11 is more than a vague memory. SARS came and went. However the world emerges,
evolves or pivots out of our collective force majeure, it will happen here first. New York is, after all, #1—or thereabouts."

Paris, France Resonance Consultancy: "As the saying goes, Paris is always a good idea. And now that swimming in the waters of the Seine is a thing at Bassin de la Villette public pools, even the locals who notoriously leave town in summer are sticking around. Paris continues to improve its shopping experience by scrubbing a few identified streets and sprinkling them with additional police presence, and by encouraging local business through strictly enforced rent caps

Paris, France

Resonance Consultancy: "As the saying goes, Paris is always a good idea. And now that swimming in the waters of the Seine is a thing at Bassin de la Villette public pools, even the locals who notoriously leave town in summer are sticking around. Paris continues to improve its shopping experience by scrubbing a few identified streets and sprinkling them with additional police presence, and by encouraging local business through strictly enforced rent caps

Moscow, Russia Resonance Consultancy: "Any traveler to Russia will tell you that Russian influence -- at least over visitors to the country’s capital -- is a very real thing: you will fall under the spell of Moscow the minute you set foot in this endlessly fascinating and dynamic destination. Curiosity about Russia has increased as political intrigue has grown, which might explain why Moscow was the 14th-most trending city over the past year. Once you are on the ground, the recently renovated Moscow subway is increasingly the envy of many Western capitals, as much for its improved efficiency and reach as for its regally art-stuffed stations."

Moscow, Russia

Resonance Consultancy: "Any traveler to Russia will tell you that Russian influence -- at least over visitors to the country’s capital -- is a very real thing: you will fall under the spell of Moscow the minute you set foot in this endlessly fascinating and dynamic destination. Curiosity about Russia has increased as political intrigue has grown, which might explain why Moscow was the 14th-most trending city over the past year. Once you are on the ground, the recently renovated Moscow subway is increasingly the envy of many Western capitals, as much for its improved efficiency and reach as for its regally art-stuffed stations."

Tokyo, Japan Resonance Consultancy: "Despite earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons, Tokyo grabbed the #1 spot for Safety. Which is helpful in a place with so much to explore and discover at all hours of the night. Tokyo continues to mesmerize global visitors with its innovation, efficiency and round-the-clock kinetic mobility. It earned the #1 rank in Shopping for its world-class experiences, like Ginza's luxury department stores. Tokyo boasts the second most restaurants of any city worldwide, and ranks #6 in the Culture subcategory."  

Tokyo, Japan

Resonance Consultancy: "Despite earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons, Tokyo grabbed the #1 spot for Safety. Which is helpful in a place with so much to explore and discover at all hours of the night. Tokyo continues to mesmerize global visitors with its innovation, efficiency and round-the-clock kinetic mobility. It earned the #1 rank in Shopping for its world-class experiences, like Ginza's luxury department stores. Tokyo boasts the second most restaurants of any city worldwide, and ranks #6 in the Culture subcategory."

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Resonance Consultancy: "Dubai is a city of superlatives: you can ride the elevator to the top of the world's tallest building for a bird's-eye view, bet on the ponies at the world's richest horse race and pose for photos in front of the world's tallest choreographed fountains. These experiences are not by accident: the city reinvented itself yet again throughout the 2010s, growing from a sterile playground for a handful of ultra-rich Emiratis to an international tourism and business destination. That has helped to attract the second-highest proportion of foreign-born citizens of any city worldwide, and they’re a sharp crowd."

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Resonance Consultancy: "Dubai is a city of superlatives: you can ride the elevator to the top of the world's tallest building for a bird's-eye view, bet on the ponies at the world's richest horse race and pose for photos in front of the world's tallest choreographed fountains. These experiences are not by accident: the city reinvented itself yet again throughout the 2010s, growing from a sterile playground for a handful of ultra-rich Emiratis to an international tourism and business destination. That has helped to attract the second-highest proportion of foreign-born citizens of any city worldwide, and they’re a sharp crowd."

Singapore, Republic of Singapore Resonance Consultancy: "Few cities have achieved as much, as quickly, as the city-state of Singapore has over the past five decades. The meteoric rise from politically unstable, resource-poor and unskilled ex-colony to talent- and capital-hungry shipping hub (the world’s busiest) and, subsequently, Asia’s wealth management capital is place-brand engineering at its most ambitious."

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Resonance Consultancy: "Few cities have achieved as much, as quickly, as the city-state of Singapore has over the past five decades. The meteoric rise from politically unstable, resource-poor and unskilled ex-colony to talent- and capital-hungry shipping hub (the world’s busiest) and, subsequently, Asia’s wealth management capital is place-brand engineering at its most ambitious."

Barcelona, Spain Resonance Consultancy: "Barcelona is an almost ideal European city, one with near perfect weather year round, miles and miles of beaches, iconic parks, striking architecture and colourful neighbourhoods that march to their own beat—artistic, sophisticated, bohemian. When the world reemerges from the pandemic, Barcelona’s fifth-most TripAdvisor reviews among the world’s cities will surely need a somber rewrite."

Barcelona, Spain

Resonance Consultancy: "Barcelona is an almost ideal European city, one with near perfect weather year round, miles and miles of beaches, iconic parks, striking architecture and colourful neighbourhoods that march to their own beat—artistic, sophisticated, bohemian. When the world reemerges from the pandemic, Barcelona’s fifth-most TripAdvisor reviews among the world’s cities will surely need a somber rewrite."

Los Angeles, USA Resonance Consultancy: "Los Angeles has always had star" power, but when Michelin announced in June 2019 that 24 Greater Los Angeles area restaurants had been awarded with its most prestigious accolade in its inaugural Michelin Guide California selection, it suddenly meant more than just A-listers and cinema cachet. Los Angeles keeps breaking tourism records as it rolls out more multi-billiondollar infrastructure projects after another."

Los Angeles, USA

Resonance Consultancy: "Los Angeles has always had star" power, but when Michelin announced in June 2019 that 24 Greater Los Angeles area restaurants had been awarded with its most prestigious accolade in its inaugural Michelin Guide California selection, it suddenly meant more than just A-listers and cinema cachet. Los Angeles keeps breaking tourism records as it rolls out more multi-billiondollar infrastructure projects after another."

Madrid, Spain Resonance Consultancy: "Madrid suffered greatly during the pandemic, with more COVID-19 cases than any other Top 20 city outside of the United States. It was the world’s first wake-up call outside of Asia that the new coronavirus was a real and imminent threat that could bring entire countries to their knees. But the city, a newcomer to the Top 10, is getting back on its feet after a prolonged lockdown."  

Madrid, Spain

Resonance Consultancy: "Madrid suffered greatly during the pandemic, with more COVID-19 cases than any other Top 20 city outside of the United States. It was the world’s first wake-up call outside of Asia that the new coronavirus was a real and imminent threat that could bring entire countries to their knees. But the city, a newcomer
to the Top 10, is getting back on its feet after a prolonged lockdown."

Rome, Italy Resonance Consultancy: "Few cities serve up the ability to walk the history of the Western world like Roma. Heck, Palatine Hill alone invites you into two millennia of Western civilization, if you have got an hour. Mix a safe, accessible modern city and its thousands of portals back in time and it's easy to see how Rome almost cracked the Best Cities Top 10 again this year." 

Rome, Italy

Resonance Consultancy: "Few cities serve up the ability to walk the history of the Western world like Roma. Heck, Palatine Hill alone invites you into two millennia of Western civilization, if you have got an hour. Mix a safe, accessible modern city and its thousands of portals back in time and it's easy to see how Rome almost cracked the Best Cities Top 10 again this year." 

Chicago, United States  Resonance Consultancy: "Few American cities fell harder in visitor numbers in recent months than Chicago. Whether for business or pleasure, the city had been attracting tourism at record-breaking levels year after year. In the last few years, the Windy City pursued and acquired some big-ticket draws, including the NFL Draft, the James Beard Foundation Awards and  the Laver Cup. It also bolstered touristfriendly attractions like the Riverwalk and events that showcase Chicago’s craft beer scene."

Chicago, United States 

Resonance Consultancy: "Few American cities fell harder in visitor numbers in recent months than Chicago. Whether for business or pleasure, the city had been attracting tourism at record-breaking levels year after year. In the last few years, the Windy City pursued and acquired some big-ticket draws, including the NFL Draft, the James Beard Foundation Awards and  the Laver Cup. It also bolstered touristfriendly attractions like the Riverwalk and events that showcase Chicago’s craft beer scene."

Toronto, Canada Resonance Consultancy: "With almost half of its population foreign-born, Toronto's #13 spot among the world's cities -- it's highest finish ever -- is powered by diversity and education. But Toronto’s diversity is less tied to migrant labor and more to the long-term opportunity in a city that earlier this summer was crowned as the fastest growing metropolitan area in all of North America. Of course, winning the first NBA title outside of the U.S. in history doesn't hurt the local pride, either."

Toronto, Canada

Resonance Consultancy: "With almost half of its population foreign-born, Toronto's #13 spot among the world's cities -- it's highest finish ever -- is powered by diversity and education. But Toronto’s diversity is less tied to migrant labor and more to the long-term opportunity in a city that earlier this summer was crowned as the fastest growing metropolitan area in all of North America. Of course, winning the first NBA title outside of the U.S. in history doesn't hurt the local pride, either."

San Francisco United States Resonance Consultancy: "San Francisco has embraced seekers since the Gold Rush days, when, seemingly overnight, people came from Asia and Europe, from across the continent and from the other side of the world for their shot at the California Dream. Along the way, these immigrants have sowed the seeds for the city’s open-minded attitude toward, well, everything. The result is a place that doesn’t just welcome differences, but actually encourages and celebrates them.  

San Francisco United States

Resonance Consultancy: "San Francisco has embraced seekers since the Gold Rush days, when, seemingly overnight, people came from Asia and Europe, from across the continent and from the other side of the world for their shot at the California Dream. Along the way, these immigrants have sowed the seeds for the city’s open-minded attitude toward, well, everything. The result is a place that doesn’t just welcome differences, but actually encourages and celebrates them.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Resonance Consultancy: "While Dubai has massive shopping malls and world’s biggest, tallest and most expensive everything, Abu Dhabi is quietly continuing its promotion and focus on heritage and a rich cultural tapestry. It invests in bringing artists and creators as guests for residencies and multi-show dates."

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Resonance Consultancy: "While Dubai has massive shopping malls and world’s biggest, tallest and most expensive everything, Abu Dhabi is quietly continuing its promotion and focus on heritage and a rich cultural tapestry. It invests in bringing artists and creators as guests for residencies and multi-show dates."