Australia has cracked the top five in a new survey that has revealed the world’s most beautiful cities to visit this summer.
The research by hotel chain Premier Inn analysed 63 global cities based on a global eye-tracking study before scoring them based on which caught the eyes of participants the quickest and which held their gaze for the longest.
Banff ranks as the summer city that captivated attention the most, scoring 96.0 out of 100 overall.
Set against the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, it offers turquoise lakes and pine-covered valleys. Visitors can combine a stroll along Banff Avenue with a trip up the Banff Gondola, or head out onto Lake Louise by canoe to take in the mountain scenery from the water.
Famous for its whitewashed buildings and cobalt-blue domes, Mykonos Town (main image) came in second, offering winding streets opening out onto beaches lapped by the Aegean Sea.
Sydney completed the top three, with its Opera House and Harbour Bridge forming one of the most recognisable waterfronts in the world.
The new study also reveals that Europe is home to the most eye-catching summer destinations overall, with eight out of the top 15 most beautiful summer cities located in the region.
Top 15 Most Beautiful Summer Cities Around the World
| Rank | City | Country | Continent | Score |
| 1 | Banff | Canada | North America | 96.0 |
| 2 | Mykonos | Greece | Europe | 87.3 |
| 3 | Sydney | Australia | Oceania | 85.6 |
| 4 | Bruges | Belgium | Europe | 84.1 |
| 5 | Bristol | UK | Europe | 83.7 |
| 6 | Palma de Mallorca | Spain | Europe | 79.7 |
| 7 | Kyoto | Japan | Asia | 78.0 |
| 8 | Kotor | Montenegro | Europe | 77.9 |
| 9 | Auckland | New Zealand | Oceania | 77.6 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | USA | North America | 73.6 |
| 11 | Queenstown | New Zealand | Oceania | 73.1 |
| 12 | Paris | France | Europe | 72.8 |
| 13 | Wellington | New Zealand | Oceania | 72.2 |
| 14 | Munich | Germany | Europe | 71.4 |
| 15 | Liverpool | UK | Europe | 71.3 |
“From alpine lake towns to Mediterranean island villages, many of these destinations showcase just how much a change of season can transform a place,” commented a spokesperson for Premier Inn.
“Hopefully, this study into some of the world’s most beautiful summer cities will be a perfect dose of inspiration and could even inspire your next trip.”
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/news/2026/most-beautiful-summer-cities.html
