Topping the list is Bali, a destination that feels less like a place and more like a mood. Travelers consistently describe Bali as a “living postcard,” and it’s easy to see why. One moment you’re stretched out on fine white sand with the sun warming your shoulders; the next, you’re underwater exploring coral ridges or the hauntingly beautiful wreck of a World War II ship.

On land, Bali shifts gears again. Lush jungles cradle ancient stone temples, monkeys roam freely, and incense fills the air. With many visitors basing themselves in Ubud, the island’s cultural heart, Bali doesn’t just welcome you — it recalibrates you.

London: Many Worlds, One City

London takes second place by being unapologetically everything at once. From Shoreditch’s swaggering creativity to Camden’s punk roots and the polished charm of Portobello Road, London feels like several cities stitched together by history and ambition.

What travelers love most is the city’s endless variety. You can explore centuries-old landmarks in the morning, dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant by night, and still end the evening with a pint in a centuries-old pub. Wander cobblestone streets, snap photos of icons you’ve known your whole life, or disappear into a neighborhood you’ve never heard of. In London, no two days — or trips — are ever the same.

Dubai: Bigger, Bolder, Faster

Dubai’s rise on the list reflects its ability to balance extremes. It’s a city where modern culture and deep-rooted history coexist effortlessly. Visitors can catch a performance at the Dubai Opera, gaze across the city from the top of the Burj Khalifa, or slow things down while exploring the gold, textile, and spice souks along Dubai Creek.

Then there’s the thrill factor. Float silently over desert dunes in a hot air balloon, scream your way through IMG Worlds of Adventure, or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah. Dubai wins hearts by offering shimmering gold experiences in a towering setting.

Hanoi: Gracefully Layered

Hanoi charms travelers not by reinventing itself, but by aging gracefully. Vietnam’s capital has preserved its Old Quarter, colonial architecture, and monuments while welcoming thoughtful modern development. The result is a city that feels layered, lived-in, and deeply human.

Lakes, parks, shady boulevards, and more than 600 temples and pagodas give Hanoi a calm rhythm beneath the buzz. It’s a city best explored slowly — on foot or by taxi — allowing visitors to soak in street life, history, and the quiet beauty found in between.

Paris: Effortlessly Eternal

Paris remains. It endures. And today’s travelers continue to fall for its effortless blend of leisure and livability. Lingering over a pain au chocolat at a sidewalk café, strolling along the Seine, and standing in awe before icons like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe never seem to lose their luster.

The perfect Paris trip balances indulgence and curiosity: savoring long meals, wandering the Louvre, bargain hunting at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil, and ending the night with a show at the Moulin Rouge. Paris doesn’t rush you–it absorbs you.

Honorable mention: Rome

Hovering just outside the top five, Rome is eternal, irresistible, and like others on this list, a forceful reminder that the world’s most beloved cities are the ones that make us feel something.

Blake Snow contributes to fancy publications and Fortune 500 companies as a bodacious writer-for-hire and seasoned travel journalist to all seven continents. He lives in Provo, Utah with his wife, five children, and one ferocious chihuahua.