Sydney has staged a remarkable leap in the one of the preeminent lists of the world’s greatest cities, not only leapfrogging Melbourne in the rankings, but jumping from 35th to 10th place in just one year.

Research firm Resonance has been compiling its World’s Best Cities list for 10 years, and this year London claimed top spot for the 1oth time.

New York replaced Paris in second place on a top-10 list dominated by European cities, but the most impressive change to the rankings came from Sydney.

Melbourne, which was the top-ranked Australian city last year in 31st place, also improved its position to 25th, while Perth at 83rd  and Brisbane in 90th rounded out the local representation.

 World’s Best Cities Top 10

1. London
2. New York
3. Paris
4. Tokyo
5. Singapore
6. Rome
7. Madrid
8. Barcelona
9. Berlin
10. Sydney

The World’s Best Cities rankings combines core statistics from over 400 global cities (with a population over 1 million) based on resident and visitor perception indicators, rankings from trusted sources, and user-generated ratings and reviews.

The data is then analysed against through three main factors – Livability, Lovability, and Prosperity.

Read more about the methodology used and see the full World’s Best Cities report here.

This year Sydney was praised for its iconic landmarks including the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, its “blend of vintage and modern” and its beautiful beaches like Bondi and Balmoral as key factors in its overall appeal.

Just importantly, Sydney’s air quality was ranked the seventh best in the world.

The Capella Sydney hotel development earned a mention for blending historic architecture with modern design, while the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ recent expansion was priased for its impact on the city’s cultural appeal.

Also referenced was Sydney’s “24-Hour Economy Strategy”, which the report said underpins the resurgence of its nightlife, dining and cultural scenes.

“Initiatives like permanent al fresco dining licenses have transformed city streets, and events like the Laneway Festival have successfully lured people back into the urban core,” it said.

According to the report, Sydney also secured the 17th spot globally for loveability and 12th for prosperity.

Sydney’s Prosperity rank of No 12, meanwhile, indicated its status as an economic powerhouse.

Melbourne earned it’s improved ranking thanks to its “vibrant food, coffee culture and arts scene”.

“Graffitied laneways like Hosier Lane, quirky attractions such as the Brighton Bathing Boxes and the adorable St. Kilda penguins all add to the city’s charm,” it said.

It also said Melbourne’s annual Australian Open – the first Grand Slam to attract over a million fans in 2024 – was a global sports highlight adding to the city’s No 34 Lovability index score.

Perth was described as a “beautiful and resilient city where wealth, culture and nature converge”, while Brisbane offered a “seamless blend of natural beauty, modern sophistication and a growing economy”.