Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities for 2011

Oct 31, 2010 9:38:19 PM

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Who doesn’t love a city? Lonely Planet has scoured the globe for next year’s hottest cities. Our top picks show that a city doesn’t need to be a heaving metropolis to get on the list. Then again, sometimes it helps. One of our favourites is the world’s largest city that cannot be reached by road. And there are even a couple of European cities that remain criminally underrated. Here they are, Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities for next year, ranked in order:

1. New York

Since 9/11, the site of the World Trade Center’s twin towers has stood out as a closed-off, out-of-view, painful gaping void. This year that changes, as the former WTC site finally reopens to the public with the National September 11 Memorial, a 6-acre, tree-filled plaza with 30ft-deep waterfalls at the footprint of the former towers, rimmed by the name of each victim and illuminated at night (its museum will follow in 2012). For the city, this will be more momentous than if the Yankees, Knicks, Rangers and Giants won simultaneous championships while the ball dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. For all of New York, 11 September 2011 will be a defining moment.

2. Tangier

From its extraordinary position perched on the northwestern-most tip of Africa, Tangier looks in two directions: one face towards Spain and Europe, and the other into Africa. The ‘white city’ announces a culture excitingly different from that of its close cousins across the water. With the recent arrival of a new city governor, the town beach now sparkles, the hustlers are off the streets and even the taxi drivers are polite. A stylish new Tangier is being created with a dynamic arts community, renovated buildings, great shopping and chic new restaurants.

3. Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the total flipside of Jerusalem, a modern Sin City on the sea rather than an ancient Holy City on a hill. Hedonism is the one religion that unites its inhabitants. There are more bars than synagogues, God is a DJ and everyone’s body is a temple. Yet, scratch underneath the surface and Tel Aviv, or TLV, reveals itself as a truly diverse 21st-century Mediterranean hub. By far the most international city in Israel, Tel Aviv is also home to a large gay community, a kind of San Francisco in the Middle East. Thanks to its university and museums, it is also the greenhouse for Israel’s growing art, film and music scenes.

4. Wellington

Wellington is Cool-with-a-capital-C, crammed with more bars, cafes and restaurants per capita than New York, and a slew of gourmet producers including some 10 independent coffee roasteries. Year-round you’ll find arts and cultural events in abundance. Likewise, its film industry, ‘Wellywood’, centred on the Miramar Peninsula, is booming thanks in large part to the success of Wellingtonian Sir Peter Jackson (executive producer of the 2011 and 2012 Hobbit movies currently being made here). This little capital will be front-and-centre on the world stage in 2011 when New Zealand hosts the Rugby World Cup.

5. Valencia

Valencia sits coquettishly and again confidently along Spain’s Mediterranean coast. For centuries, it was overshadowed by larger Spanish cities – hard-nosed, commercially-minded Barcelona and Madrid, the nation’s capital. Not any more. While retaining its provincial charm, Spain’s third city now mixes with the international crowd. Host of a couple of America’s Cup yachting jamborees and an annual street circuit Formula 1 motor race, it’s also European Capital of Sport for 2011 and a favourite destination for conferences and congresses. Valencia enjoyed its golden age two full centuries before the rest of Spain.

6. Iquitos

After days forging by boat along rainforest-fringed rivers, Iquitos, mighty megalopolis of the Peruvian Amazon, comes as a shock to the system. Pulsating with life, the city’s latest boom is tourism: visitors may flock to reconnoitre the rainforest but taking time to imbibe Iquitos itself is imperative too. This is a sultry slice of Amazon life: Brazilian, Colombian, indigenous and expat. Clubs bounce to salsa and rock until the early hours with the vigour you’d expect of Peru’s jungle capital, but Iquitos is also a cultural hub: expect works by Peru’s top artists, opulent rubber-boom mansions and a museum on Amazon ethnography for starters. As a trading post for rainforest tribes, market mayhem and riverboat bustle are part of the package, all conspiring to fill the city with an addictive, round-the-clock energy.

7. Ghent

Here’s a secret within a secret: Ghent might just be the best European city you’ve never thought of visiting, in a country that continues to be criminally overlooked. Ghent hides away in the middle of Belgium’s big three – Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. Most Belgium-bound visitors rushing between these see nothing more than the stately fortifications of Ghent’s St Pieter’s Station. Those who do hop off the train and stroll along the Leie River to the historic centre will have their eyes out on stalks. Here hides one of Europe’s finest panoramas of water, spires and centuries-old grand houses. But this is no place to simply kick back: Ghent has one of Europe’s most dynamic festival scenes, which vies for visitors’ attention. This year the entire centre will emerge from a major program of rebuilding designed to show off the huge pedestrianised squares.

8. Delhi

The great metropolis of Delhi, encompassing Old and New Delhi and sprawling out for miles, has not looked this smart and sparkling in centuries. Huge preparations for the Commonwealth Games, which took place in October 2010, improved the city’s infrastructure, cleaned up its streets and added to its accommodation options. Aside from, of course, a bounty of new or improved sporting facilities, there’s the marvellous artery of the Metro – an underground transport system that’s a futuristic, egalitarian world away from the sometimes chaotic, class-ridden situation above ground. This year marks 100 years since New Delhi was founded in 1911. At least eight cities are known to have been founded on this spot. The commemoration of this anniversary is sure to be a colourful and lively affair.

9. Newcastle

Is it Australia’s most underrated city? Anyone surprised to see Newcastle on the list of 2011′s hottest cities (and there’s a few of you, right?) probably hasn’t pulled in off the Pacific Highway, or at least not for a while. Newcastle flies under the radar of Aussies and international travellers in part because it’s overshadowed by its bigger, bolder and better-known sibling, Sydney, 150km south. But, at around one-tenth the size, Australia’s second-oldest city has Sydney-like assets: surf beaches, a sun-drenched subtropical climate, and diverse dining, nightlife and arts. Not only is Newcastle ideally located just two hours by road or rail or 30 minutes by plane or seaplane from Sydney, it’s less than an hour’s drive west to the Hunter Valley wineries, south to sailboat-filled Lake Macquarie, north to whale-watching and sharkfeeding at Port Stephens and to sandboarding at Stockton Beach (the southern end of the 32km-long beach is a five-minute ferry ride across Newcastle’s harbour).

10. Chiang Mai

If Chiang Mai were a person, it would be Bob Dylan. With a history dating back further than anyone can remember, its influence remains enormous. And despite its great age, there’s still a bohemian chic that makes it as relevant and hip as ever. Culture capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai was once the heart of the Lanna kingdom. Today those wanting to flee the bustle of Bangkok visit to lounge in coffee shops and drink in the city’s artisanal atmosphere. With a friendly, cosmopolitan feel, this is one easy, safe and pleasant place to explore. There are dozens of well-preserved temples here, too. Many new ecotours and adventure trips are appearing, and with a choice of river rafting, elephant rides, trekking and off-road cycling, even the biggest adrenaline junkie will be sated.

Planning travel in 2011? Start with Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel.

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Comments

1 November 2010 1:55PM dandv Report this comment
Newcastle, really number 9? As someone who has not only pulled off the Pacific Highway, but indeed taken up residence in Newcastle for the last 6 months, I might have to disagree with some of the 'wonders' of Newcastle as described above. Granted it does have lovely beaches, however, beyond that there is little to write home about. Considering its supposed close proximity to Sydney (which is actually more of a three hour train marathon, in trains which should have ceased usage in the 70s, than the mere hop-skip-and-jump that the review makes out), it lacks any of the culture. Restaurants worth visiting are limited to a very select few, although Darby street does have many places for a great breakfast, and in terms of drinking establishments, especially later in the evening, Newcastle is akin to the Sahara Desert. The Hunter Valley wine region is certainly worth a day or two, I would stay on the Pacific highway otherwise, and zoom on by Newcastle...
1 November 2010 3:33PM annamccabe Report this comment
I escaped to Newcastle this weekend to visit family - what a fantastic getaway!
Top 10 things to do when visit this best kept secret city:
1. Explore the cities beaches on the Bathers Way Walk. 2. Relax over beers and a bite on the sunny veranda at Customs House Hotel overlooking Newcastle Harbour and Nobbys Lighthouse. 3. Enjoy breakfast and great coffee at Estabar watching the surfers at Newcastle Beach. 4. Visit the Newcastle Region Art Gallery. 5. Go for a swim, surf or explore the rock platforms at Bar Beach. 6. Shop at Betty Mim boutique for gorgeous homewares and gifts. 7. Picnic in King Edward Park. 8. Play a game of tennis at The Hill Tennis Club. 9. Pick up some fresh local produce from the Newcastle Growers Markets (on every Sunday). 10. Do laps in Newcastle or Mereweather Beache's art deco Ocean Baths.
1 November 2010 7:27PM julzetraveller Report this comment
Newcastle. I've been here for 32 years and it's fantastic. But don't tell anyone.
2 November 2010 3:27AM madlene Report this comment
HOW ABOUT FORGOTTEN CITY CALLS YEREVAN, ARMENIA. SO MUCH HISTORY , NATURE, AND THINGS TO SEE!!! I NEVER HEAR OR SEE COMMENTS ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
2 November 2010 10:12AM djandypandy Report this comment
Strange list. These cities are from completely different categories and obviously entirely subjective. I have been to 5 of these places and there are only 2 of them that I would generally recommend as cool places to explore. Honestly, anyone who went out of there way to go to Delhi should go with looow expectations. But hey, LP needs to make some headlines so go ahead, make crazy statements.
2 November 2010 10:33AM danielkwood Report this comment
I'm amazed that Delhi made this list. There are so many other Indian cities that are much better than Delhi. The only thing I would say is good about Delhi is its connections (by train, rail or car) to Jaipur and Agra. There are some good markets, Humayun's Tomb and the red fort but not much else to get excited about. I wouldn't spend more than 2 or 3 days there myself. This is definately a strange list.
2 November 2010 4:57PM kiwiaroundtheworld Report this comment
Hi, I'm Kiwi, an adventurous bird and I have a plan!
Thnx for the tip!
www.facebook.com/TravelingKiwi www.twitter.com/traveling_kiwi
2 November 2010 7:17PM sophiacaitlin Report this comment
Newcastle? You have got to be joking! I've been there many a time and completely disagree with that review!
2 November 2010 7:17PM sophiacaitlin Report this comment
Newcastle? You have got to be joking! I've been there many a time and completely disagree with that review!
2 November 2010 7:44PM aussieange78 Report this comment
I grew up there and am a proud novacastrian, Newcastle has definately changed from my day, however the charm and culture is there hidden in the city's brash attempt to recover from the closure of the Big Happy Place otherwise known as BHP steelworks. To those commenters that have moved there and suddenly feel ripped off, give it a chance, and go looking for the hidden treasures Newie has to offer and you will find them.
2 November 2010 10:06PM dbetros Report this comment
Obviously the writer got laid in Newcastle The place is a dump
2 November 2010 10:10PM morgsy009 Report this comment
Is this 10 best cities a joke? I have been to Wellington & Newcastle. Wellington could be up there culture wise but doesnt offer enough to be a great city. Newcastle is a nice place but to be a top 10 world city is a joke. Id rather live in Newcastle than Sydney but there is no way it is a better city. Melbourne puts them all to bed with culture, sport, shopping, dining and also life style. Do I want to trust any of the top 10?
2 November 2010 10:29PM suvo Report this comment
I've been living in Valencia for 3 years now and absolutely love it.It's a fantastic city! Not too big, not too small.Great mix of the old and the futuristic. What to do in Valencia: 1)City of Arts and Sciences. Visit it twice, once by day and once by night. 2)Walk or cycle the old river bed 3)Take a short break from your walking or cycling tour in the river at the fountains in front of the music palace and listen to classical music here.4)Buy fresh produce at the beautiful Mercado Central.5)Eat a real paella for lunch (not for dinner, this is for tourists....;-) 6)have a picknick on the El Saler beach, a beautiful and quiet beach south of Valencia city 7) go hiking in the mountainous surroundings of Valencia, for example El Garbí,Estivella, Chelva 8) visit Valencia in Fallas, one of Europes most spectacular festivals 9) visit hidden treasures in the Valencia countryside, such as waterfalls and thermal hot springs 10)eat in local joints. Enjoy Valencia!
3 November 2010 1:05PM paulkd Report this comment
I'm from Manhattan, but the two weeks I spent in Newcastle, Australia, were simply wonderful. The atmosphere is perfect; laid back people and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Add to this a great dining scene and a lively nightlife. If in Sydney, hop on a train from Central Station straight to Newcastle. It takes about 2.5 hours, but you get to see some really rugged and beautiful scenery on the way. Once there, drop into customs house (its across the street from the train station). Its a huge church like building with a beautiful clock tower that was turned into an iconic bar and restaurant. Do the aussie thing; grab a beer and have a steak, all while looking out onto Newcastle's beautiful harbor. Then stroll up to Nobby's beach, go for a swim or check out the lighthouse. You can also check out Fort Scratchley (a fort from WWII) which is right next to Nobby's. All this is within about 10 minutes walking distance from the train station.