In a new ranking, a total of 38 European cities are listed among the 50 most liveable cities in the world, based on criteria such as personal safety, housing, and overall quality of life.
While great food, nightlife, or cultural spaces may be what you value most in a city, many other factors contribute to making a city a good place to live.
ECA International evaluates cities using a wide range of criteria — including infrastructure, air quality, access to healthcare, personal safety, political stability, opportunities to build social networks and enjoy leisure activities, housing and basic services, as well as climate — to compile its annual Location Ratings for 2025–26.
This year, out of 275 cities analyzed, European cities claimed 38 of the top 50 positions, including all of the top 10 spots, with Bern, Switzerland, ranked as the overall winner.
“Europe’s strong performance reflects decades of investment in clean environments, world-class healthcare systems, and infrastructure,” said ECA International. “Notably, no European city appears among the bottom 50, highlighting the continent’s overall attractiveness.”
At the top of the list is Bern, the de facto capital of Switzerland. The city is built around a bend in the Aare River, and its Old Town (Altstadt) dates back to the 12th century.
Visitors are encouraged to explore Freibad Marzili, a popular outdoor swimming area where locals swim in crystal-clear blue waters, as well as Kulturzentrum Reitschule, a vibrant social and cultural space hosting concerts, theater performances, and film screenings.
However, Switzerland is not known for its affordability. ECA International’s list of the most liveable cities overlaps significantly with rankings of the most expensive cities for rent and the costliest places to dine out, confirming that a high quality of life often comes with a high cost.
The Safest and Most Liveable Cities in the World
- Bern, Switzerland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Stavanger, Norway
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- The Hague, Netherlands
- Vienna, Austria
- Munich, Germany
- Dublin, Ireland
- Lisbon, Portugal
