The Austrian capital Vienna has taken out the top spot, with Adelaide ranked the next best Australian city in 30th. It's not Rome or Paris, Sydney or San Francisco – the world's most beautiful city is perhaps one you've never even heard of.
1. Venice. Among those who've seen it in person, the conclusion is unanimous: Venice is the most beautiful city in the world, and the only one that can truly be described as unique. Each building is a work of art, with their beauty enhanced when reflected on the canals that cross the city.
Most reliably of all, 90,000 Telegraph Travel readers voted Sydney the fifth best city on the planet (behind only Cape Town, Vancouver, Tokyo and Venice).
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world due to its high quality of life and unique landmarks like the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House, Sydney is often the starting point for many travelers who arrive by this city to start their vacation in Australia.
1. Sydney. Sydney has topped a list of Australia and New Zealand's most Instagrammable cities after the sun goes down.
There's really something here for everyone, from music to fashion, art, events, drinking and dining out, to nature and exploring, it's really all at your doorstep. Sydney is so diverse, and it's reflected in our restaurant and food scenes, our art and culture and the variety of things on offer.
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What is Sydney Most Famous For? The best things to do in Sydney include exploring historic streets and museums, as well as shopping in thriving markets and modern retail centres. This vibrant city is known for its yacht-studded harbour, superb beaches, and the iconic Opera House with its towering sail structure.
With a never-ending list of world-famous landmarks, Sydney has its pick of iconic architectural gems. Some of our favourites? The Harbour Bridge, The Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, Luna Park, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney Harbour.
London is the better city.
London is regularly voted the world's number one city, and it's only the only city other than New York City to have an Alpha++ rating for global influence. But the lifestyle, weather, and general beauty of Sydney are incredible.
If you've never visited Australia before and are looking for in-your-face classic tourist activities and Instagrammable heaven, then Sydney might be the best choice. But if you're looking for a destination where you have to scratch the surface a little to discover some rich culture, give Melbourne a try.
“If there exists a “New York of Australia”, is it Sydney or Melbourne?” No such thing. However if you see New York as a commercial capital, Sydney is arguably that. If you see New York in terms of creative and artistic diversity Melbourne is the better approximation.
Chicago was named the second most beautiful city in the world.
Vaucluse is known for being an incredibly affluent area with peninsular and harbour views unlike any other. You'll find lavish beaches everywhere in this coastal haven. A median-priced house in Vaucluse will cost you a whopping $8.4 million and $2,800 in rent.
Nicknames of the city include the 'Emerald City' and the 'Harbour City'.
Sydney is considered an alpha world city, according to Loughborough University's globalisation and world cities research network, which measures the connectivity of cities in terms of position and influence.
Phillip intended to name the settlement Albion, the poetic name for England. However, he quickly changed his mind and named the bay Sydney Cove in honour of Lord Sydney, the Secretary of State for the Home Office. The settlement itself later became known as Sydney Town.
Out of 53 world cities, Sydney was ranked as the third-worst on the planet for making new friends. Almost three-quarters of respondents said that making new friends was either hard or impossible in Sydney, but there were two other cities that ranked even more poorly than here.
The term was not explicitly political; it described a grouping based on aggregate wealth or perceived power rather than an ideological outlook. First world countries included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.