Yannic Stock Managing Editor

September 25, 2025, 10:04 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Every year, the magazine “Time Out” names the coolest neighborhoods in the world. The winners for 2025 have now been decided! For the ranking, local “Time Out” authors from around the world submitted suggestions, which were reviewed by the editorial team and ranked using the knowledge and experience of city editors based on various criteria.

Food, culture, fun, community—in short: The atmosphere of a district was crucial for the ranking. Factors such as uniqueness and a vibrant street life were also considered in creating the top list. Germany is not represented in the current ranking—last year, Berlin-Friedrichshain made it to 18th place on the list.

The 3 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World

1st Place: Jimbōchō, Tokyo (Japan)

Ranked 1st in the coolest neighborhoods, the “Time Out” authors chose Jimbōchō in Japan’s capital, Tokyo. The historic university district is just a short walk from the city’s bustling business centers and is especially known and loved by book lovers. According to “Time Out,” about 130 antiquarian bookstores are located here, most housed in low-rise buildings shared with traditional cafes and curry restaurants. “Although this is a district where the past clearly shapes the present, the constant influx of new generations of students creates a lively dynamic—one that is particularly noticeable right now,” states the British magazine’s reasoning.

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2nd Place: Borgerhout, Antwerp (Belgium)

Southwest of Antwerp’s historic center lies the district of Borgerhout—according to “Time Out,” the “creative heart of the city.” The authors describe it as a multicultural neighborhood where Turkish and Moroccan grocers can be found alongside vegan coffee shops, galleries, and green terraces. In the evenings, Borgerhout transforms into a trendy nightlife district with vintage-style bars and cool clubs. However, it is primarily the residents of Borgerhout who make it “one of the liveliest and most welcoming corners of Antwerp,” writes “Time Out.”

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3rd Place: Barra Funda, São Paulo (Brazil)

Ranked third among the coolest neighborhoods in the world, the British magazine chose Barra Funda, a creative and vibrant district north of São Paulo’s historic center. According to “Time Out,” the former industrial area has become a trendy hotspot for alternatives, artists, and partygoers, with old warehouses converted into studios and former auto repair shops now housing trendy cafes and restaurants. “For art lovers, it’s a must, as well as for anyone looking for unique shopping, vibrant nightlife, and modern cuisine,” the authors state in their reasoning.

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The 39 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World at a Glance

1. Jimbōchō, Tokyo, Japan
2. Borgerhout, Antwerp, Belgium
3. Barra Funda, São Paulo, Brazil
4. Camberwell, London, United Kingdom
5. Avondale, Chicago, USA
6. Mullae-dong, Seoul, South Korea
7. Ménilmontant, Paris, France
8. Nakatsu, Osaka, Japan
9. Vallila, Helsinki, Finland
10. Labone, Accra, Ghana
11. Nguyễn Thái Bình, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
12. Anjos, Lisbon, Portugal
13. Digbeth, Birmingham, United Kingdom
14. Red Hook, New York, USA
15. Perpetuo Socorro, Medellín, Colombia
16. Burwood, Sydney, Australia
17. Linden, Johannesburg, South Africa
18. Former French Concession, Shanghai, China
19. Quartieri Spagnoli, Naples, Italy
20. Bencoolen, Singapore, Singapore
21. Endoume, Marseille, France
22. Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montréal, Canada
23. The Liberties, Dublin, Ireland
24. North Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
25. Portales, Mexico City, Mexico
26. Davenport, Toronto, Canada
27. Little River, Miami, USA
28. Kemang, Jakarta, Indonesia
29. Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
30. Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
31. Barranco, Lima, Peru
32. Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
33. Clarksville, Austin, USA
34. Margit-negyed, Budapest, Hungary
35. Glen Park, San Francisco, USA
36. MiZa (Mina Zayed), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
37. Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires, Argentina
38. Mehrauli, Delhi, India
39. Poblacion, Metro Manila, Philippines