Glasgow ranked one of Europe’s best cities for 2025 — and it’s beating some big names

Glasgow has been named one of the best cities in Europe, ranking 28th out of 100 — ahead of destinations like Venice, Nice and Athens.

It’s the third highest UK city on the list, only behind London (first) and Edinburgh (18th) — keeping the Central Belt rivalry alive and well.

The report, put together by urban strategy experts at Resonance Consultancy, based its rankings on three main categories:

Liveability: Green space, sights and landmarks, air quality, housing affordability.
Lovability: Nightlife, restaurants, shopping, culture.
Prosperity: Universities, business ecosystems, GDP per capita, educational attainment.

Glasgow was praised for its global reputation for education, driven by the historic University of Glasgow (founded in 1451), which has produced alumni like economist Adam Smith and U.S. Founding Father James Wilson.

Affordability was another key factor, with the report noting: “Tech start-ups hungry for cheap space and talent are drawn to the city’s working-class authenticity over pricier European capitals.”

It added: “But it’s not like Glasgow has gone corporate. This is the home of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland, and Glasgow is still buzzing from its 2020 designation as the UK’s top cultural and creative city by the European Commission. Its top 25 ranking in our Culture subcategory will rise in the coming years.”

Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, responded: “Resonance’s rankings of the world and Europe’s best cities carry genuine influence and credibility. They inform global investment decisions, economic development and international tourism. I’m sure that Glasgow’s prominence in this latest report will show what our city has to offer to new international audiences.”

With world-class universities, a buzzing cultural scene and famously friendly people, it’s no surprise Glasgow remains a hit with students, locals and tourists alike.