May 19, 2026, 8:11 am | Read time: 10 minutes

I’ll be honest: When I travel today, I seek the solitude of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of cities. But of course, over the past decades, I’ve visited metropolises in about 70 countries that captivated me for various reasons. Cities are often the beating hearts of a country, melting pots of cultures and exciting impressions. They are hubs for adventure, a meeting place for travelers, a mecca for art and cuisine. Here is my personal list of the top ten cities worldwide.

Madrid, Spain

In 2010, I first came to Madrid for a six-month study abroad program and immediately fell in love with the rugged charm of the Spanish capital. I lived in a lively area called Lavapiés, and it had everything. Markets with fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, small cafés, quaint pubs, good and affordable restaurants. Plus, my apartment was within walking distance of three world-class art museums, especially the Prado. The expansive Retiro Park was also just around the corner, where I went jogging in the evenings and watched artists and performers on weekends.

In the city center at Plaza de Sol, I earned a little money playing my guitar in the bustling pedestrian zone, where every drink came with free delicious tapas. At games of the two football clubs, Real and especially Atlético Madrid, I cheered with the locals for every goal, and while walking my adopted dog Tuna, I easily struck up conversations and polished my already good Spanish. Back then, I also worked for a now-deceased, once very well-known journalist who often took me to cultural events or just out for drinks.

What I remember most are my sometimes day-long walks along the Manzanares River. In the city center of Madrid, you can explore many sights on foot. For example, a real Egyptian temple or the Royal Palace. In the years that followed, I kept returning to Madrid for weeks at a time, and to this day, it is the only city besides my hometown Berlin where I could imagine living for an extended period again.

Porto, Portugal

Some cities just have a particularly relaxed vibe. I found Portugal’s capital Lisbon beautiful too, but far too crowded, whereas I thrived in Porto. In the city center, everything is within walking distance, and a stroll along the Douro River and across the impressive Dom Luis I Bridge is a must. As is a visit to the Vila Nova da Gaia district, where numerous port wine producers have their cellars. A tasting in the cool vaults offers a taste of liquid culture that has put Porto on the map for connoisseurs worldwide. Those with a strong stomach should try a Francesinha afterward.

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This dish consists of various types of sausage and meat sandwiched between two slices of toast, topped with melted cheese and a beer sauce. You can also order a fried egg on top, but French fries are a must. Even in winter, it’s often mild enough in Porto to sit comfortably outside in the countless small bars and cafés in the evening. From the airport, you’re in the heart of the city within half an hour. Those who get off at the central Aliados stop can immediately begin their Porto adventure with all their senses.

Bamberg, Germany

It doesn’t always have to be the big cities and world-renowned names. However, Bamberg does hold a superlative, as nowhere else in the world, including the surrounding region, has such a high density of breweries. Many of them are so excellent that connoisseurs will have a hard time choosing. Did I mention that two rivers meander through Bamberg’s incredibly romantic old town? Popular among international students not least because of its beer culture, Bamberg is also a young, sometimes almost hip metropolis.

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In the evenings and at night, life rages on Sandstraße, which celebrates its own festival every summer. But then it gets a bit too crowded for my taste. I also grew to love Bamberg because I had a permanent base for my adventures in the shared apartment of a college friend for years. If the city gets too loud and beer-soaked, you can quickly reach the beautiful surrounding countryside by bike–and then usually end up in one of the breweries again. Although I haven’t drunk alcohol for years, I keep coming back here to enjoy Bamberg’s particularly relaxed flair. Of the surrounding villages, I recommend visiting Bischberg, Merkendorf, Weiher, and Schammelsdorf.

Cartagena, Colombia

On my South American travels, I visited the Colombian Caribbean city of Cartagena twice. The colonial old town with its colorful houses is rightfully a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is otherwise rich in culture. On the markets, you can buy fresh fruit at unbelievably low prices, and the legendary Colombian coffee is served everywhere. In bars like “Donde Fidel,” you can dance salsa, and at “Café Havana,” fantastic live bands perform several times a week. My hostel “Media Luna” had its own swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen in the courtyard. On the rooftop terrace, the whole city partied until early in the morning on Wednesdays. The beautiful beaches invite relaxation. Excursions, such as to the Islas del Rosario, are highlights of a Cartagena visit.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

This small Moroccan metropolis is nicknamed “The Blue City,” and indeed, all the houses in the old town are painted in a dreamy, very calming sky blue. In the winding alleys, you can wonderfully stroll and get lost while marveling at the seemingly endless array of goods. Small bakeries that make their sweets in centuries-old ovens, delicious restaurants with incredibly low prices for Europeans, all set against the picturesque backdrop of the rugged Rif Mountains. In the surroundings of Chefchaouen, you can hike through the wildest nature for days and are sometimes marveled at by locals. On a trip through Morocco, I originally planned to spend only a few days here and ended up staying the entire vacation.

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Mexico City, Mexico

A city like a wild fever dream. As a young man, I experienced a concert with 150,000 attendees on the town hall square after cheering on the home team at the legendary Estadio Azteca. I found the best street food of my life for mere cents on every corner and traveled through the city on a skateboard, which often led to new acquaintances and free accommodations. Certainly one of the most exciting and absurd cities I’ve ever visited.

Rome, Italy

The Eternal City lives up to its name. I’ve never seen a metropolis where modernity so seamlessly and harmoniously incorporates structures dating back to antiquity. And in none of the other cities on this list have I walked more to marvel at this unique splendor. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon–Rome impressed me so much that I flew there twice in a single month. I was also lucky to have a local friend as my guide. The best pizza and pasta, the trendiest restaurants, the real insider tips–I experienced it all. Even a marriage proposal from another friend at the Trevi Fountain. I’ve experienced Rome by day and by night, always driven by the next incredibly cheap espresso. The most complete sightseeing capital in the world.

Also interesting: Night-Seeing: The best tips for Rome at night

Paris, France

Sometimes the French don’t make it easy to like them. But their capital, this monumental total work of art, must be loved. Beyond the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe, which are all must-see attractions, visitors discover a magical city in the streets and alleys between Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur, where the next croissant and café au lait are never far away. The parks, the museums, walks under the many bridges of the Seine–in Paris, you probably wouldn’t get bored even after weeks of aimless wandering. Just outside the city lies the Palace of Versailles, one of the most impressive palaces in the world, and for families, there’s also Disneyland.

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Panama City, Panama

Without a doubt, the most modern metropolis I’ve seen on my travels through South and Central America. It’s impressive how ultramodern skyscrapers like the Trump Tower seamlessly adjoin the colonial old town. A fairyland of steel and glass, with an endless promenade along the sea that runs the length of the city. Three airports, modern buses, huge shopping centers. The city is relatively expensive, even for European wallets, but the fruit, fish, and seafood are absolutely fresh. From here, you can reach any other place in the country within a few hours. The downpours are absolutely impressive, with water reaching car hoods–and after just half an hour, everything is dry again.

Berlin, Germany

My home and the city that made me who I am. Few other metropolises have such a magnetic pull on young people, not least because of their art and music scene. I have friends from Egypt, Argentina, Chile, and Iran who were drawn here. It’s said that every nation in the world is represented in our city, resulting in a unique cultural diversity worldwide. Clubs and entire neighborhoods regularly make the list of the trendiest places. Besides, Berlin is one of the greenest metropolises on the planet. It’s never far to a park, the water, or even the forest.

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Still, my last point here should actually be Spandau. Perhaps the most underrated district of Berlin. This is where I’m from, and where I still live today. Far from the center with its tourist crowds, I’ve made my home here. And whenever I think about finally leaving this wonderful, terrible behemoth Berlin, I can’t think of an alternative where it could be better. Berlin excites, surprises, and shocks me every day anew. As long as I can still enjoy or endure this theater, I’ll stay here.