Top 10 cities to visit in 2024

Posted 5 January, 2024 John Pedler

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your 2024 travel plans.

We’ve put together a list of 10 cities from across the globe that are worth adding to a holiday itinerary or two.

Seoul, South Korea

More a collection of villages than a single amorphous city, South Korea’s capital is a delight at every turn.

Sitting between the famous Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces, hilly Bukchon Village is home to more than 900 traditional hanok-style houses, which whisk visitors back to 14th century Korea.

Wander the narrow streets, stopping off for refreshments at a local teahouse.

At Myeongdong, Seoul’s famous retail district, you’ll find plenty of international brands, as well as local names like Spao and Naning9. After some retail therapy, check out Myeongdong’s street food scene.

In the evening, gear up to go Gangnam style in the wealthy district made famous by PSY’s enigmatic 2012 hit song.

Grab a bite from one of Gangnam’s restaurants and then dance the night away at a cocktail bar or club.

For those looking for a fast-paced activity, Singapore’s streets transform into a track for the Formula 1 each September. Experience motor racing under lights at the Marina Bay Street Circuit and off-track entertainment as part of this event.

Palermo, Italy

Awash with UNESCO World Heritage sites, Sicily’s sprawling capital is one of Europe’s major historic centres. From the Phoenicians and Greeks, to the Arabs, Normans and Spanish, everyone wanted a piece of Palermo through the ages, and this is reflected in the city’s diverse architecture.

Highlights include the multicultural stylings of the expansive Palermo Cathedral, the exquisitely painted interior of the Palatine Chapel, and the 6000sqm of mosaics adorning the 12th-century Monreale Cathedral.

For seaside fun and stunning scenery, head for the white sands and turquoise waters of bustling Mondello Beach. Lined with cafes and restaurants, this is just the spot to people watch while soaking up the sun. The public beach can be chaotic, so consider renting a space at one of the private beaches – get there early in summer or book before you go.

Cars and motorcycles aren’t permitted in the historic Old Town, creating an extensive pedestrian zone.

After a day of exploring and shopping, while away the evening at a riverfront restaurant beneath a galaxy of coloured lanterns.

Rotorua, New Zealand

Quite literally a tourism hotspot, Rotorua sits above the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Steam gushes from vents in town, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with volcanic features.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 29km south of town, is home to nearly every bizarre feature volcanism can cough up.

It’s easy to spend a couple of hours wandering among smoking craters, lemon-yellow sulphur mounds, mud pools and colourful thermal ponds, including the freakishly orange Champagne Pool.

Turn up at 10.15am to see Lady Knox Geyser squirt water up to 20m into the air.

If you’re looking for a therapeutic soak, head for one of the spas and wellness centres in and around town.

Cape Town, South Africa

Visitors to Cape Town will certainly notice Table Mountain – it’s huge, and spectacularly dominates the skyline. There are several walking trails to the top and they’ll all test your fitness and/or mountaineering skills. If you’re looking for a more relaxing ascent, take the cable car. Views over the city and beyond are stunning, and you can even grab a coffee and a snack at the summit.

Named after Prince Alfred and his mum, Queen Victoria, V&A Waterfront (main photo) is a major centre for shopping, eating, drinking, and all sorts of entertainment. It’s also a great spot for views back towards Table Mountain.

For a serious splash of colour, head for the pastel-painted houses of Bo-Kaap. Further afield, wine enthusiasts can tour the vineyards of Stellenbosch, and sample a continent of African foods in the local cafes.

Marrakech, Morocco

A wander through the maze of squeezy alleyways in the medieval medina – or old city – is a head-buzzing treat of sights, sounds and scents. Haggle-heads will have found their Nirvana, wrestling shopkeepers for the best price on leather goods, crafts, lanterns and much more.

Sooner or later, the laneways will deliver you to the main plaza, Jemaa el-Fnaa. This is a place of snake charmers, acrobats, musicians and general mayhem, which really gets cracking at night.

A window into royal opulence can be found at the 19th century Bahia Palace. It may look plain from the outside, but the interior is ornately decorated with carvings, tiles, stained-glass windows and marble floors.

Immerse yourself in Moroccan culture by staying at a riad – a traditional family home built around a courtyard – which has been converted to accommodate travellers.

Kyoto, Japan

Culturally rich Kyoto was the capital of Japan for more than 1000 years and hosts a remarkable 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are more than 2000 temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto, so it might take a few trips to see them all.

For starters, check out the famed golden temple of Kinkaku-ji, the panoramic city views from the huge Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and the five-tiered pagoda of To-ji Temple in downtown Kyoto.

In a city brimming with must-see attractions, be sure to stroll through the thousands of vermillion torii gates that mark the stairway leading from Fushimi Inari Shrine to the top of Mount Inari.

The best times to visit Kyoto are spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and autumn, when a riot of colour flushes the leaves yellow, orange and red. If you’re looking for old Japan, you’ve found it.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Washed by the gentle waters of the Aegean Sea and rich with cultural treasures, Greece’s second-largest city draws sun lovers and history buffs in equal measure.

The architectural stylings of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires can be seen throughout the city. Thessaloniki’s old town, known as Ano Poli, is a colourful area of cobbled streets and traditional houses. Find your way to the top of the Byzantine-era walls, which partly surround the old town, for superb views of the city and sea.

Lined with bars, cafes and restaurants, the seaside promenade is a major drawcard for locals and visitors. If you’re looking for nightlife, you’ll probably end up at Ladadika – a vibrant entertainment hub with plenty of eateries, bars and nightclubs.

Vancouver, Canada

Perched on Canada’s west coast, the gleaming metropolis of Vancouver sits on a harbour with a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery. So valued are the views, building height limits are enforced to protect them.

For a view of the city’s history, head to Gastown – Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood and home to some of the grooviest eateries in town. Take a stroll among the historic buildings and retro gas lamps of Water Street, stopping for an Instagram shot of the old steam clock. While you’re there, hear the clock’s tuneful whistle as it tells the time.

With 400 hectares of rainforest, woodland and sandy beaches, plus superb views of the often-snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park on the edge of the CBD is beloved by locals. The park is almost completely surrounded by seawater and is encircled by a 28km scenic seawall path.