Two Arab Cities Ranked in World’s Top 20 for Culture

As part of its annual series ranking the world’s top cultural destinations, British media outlet Time Out spotlighted two Arab cities in its 2025 roundup. Coming in respectively at the 17th and 20th position, Marrakesh and Abu Dhabi, both were praised for being bastions of all things art, serving as hubs in their own right on the regional and global stage.

To compile the list, Time Out pulled from two key sources. First, more than 18,500 people were asked to rate the cultural pulse of their own cities in a global survey, which factored in everything from affordability to the quality of venues and events. Then, the publication’s own international network of editors and experts weighed in, offering curated picks based on local insight and firsthand experience. To ensure diversity and prevent overrepresentation, only the top-ranking city from each country was included.

“Time Out’s annual ranking of the world’s best cities for culture is the definitive travel guide for those seeking a cultural city break where experiencing art in all its forms is affordable and accessible. Informed by the insights of 18,500 city-dwellers and a panel of Time Out experts, this list reflects the global destinations where art and culture isn’t confined to mammoth museums and major arts venues (though there are plenty of those),” Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, said in a shared statement.  “Each of these 20 cities has a lively programme of cultural events alongside legacy institutions for the arts – that’s why they’re the cultural capitals of today,” she added.

From what was shared with readers, Marrakesh earned its spot largely thanks to strong local pride. 68% percent of residents rated the city highly for its cultural scene, pointing to standout events like the Marrakech International Film Festival as key highlights in one of Morocco’s imperial capitals. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi impressed with even stronger numbers: 86% of locals praised the quality of its cultural offerings whilst 67% cited their accessibility and affordability as a driver for the city’s appeal.

Topping the 2025 list were Paris, Florence, and Edinburgh; a trio that needs little to no explanation given their centuries-old legacies as beacons of art, history, and architecture.

Read on to see which other cities made the cut this year:

1. Paris, France
2. Florence, Italy
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
4. Mexico City, Mexico
5. Sydney, Australia
6. Barcelona, Spain
7. Chicago, USA
8. Lisbon, Portugal
9. Hanoi, Vietnam
10. Cape Town, South Africa
11. Beijing, China
12. Tbilisi, Georgia
13. Jakarta, Indonesia
14. Delhi, India
15. Medellin, Colombia
16. Amsterdam, Holland
17. Marrakech, Morocco
18. Vienna, Austria
19. Prague,Czech Republic
20. Abu Dhabi, UAE