The most comfortable cities in the world in 2025–2026: European leaders in the ECA International ranking

Europe once again tops the list of the most comfortable places to live in the world. Find out which cities are the leaders in the ECA International 2025–2026 ranking, why Bern took first place, and what a high level of comfort means for residents and travelers

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Europe has once again confirmed its status as the region with the highest quality of life. A total of 38 European cities were included in the top 50 most comfortable cities in the world according to the international consulting company ECA International. Bern, the capital of Switzerland, became the absolute leader in the ranking for 2025–2026. This was reported by Time Out, citing the results of a study by ECA International.

How the ranking was formed: key evaluation criteria

ECA International analysts evaluated 275 cities in different countries around the world using a comprehensive methodology. They took into account not only general indicators, but also the practical conditions of everyday life.

The main criteria included:

● the state and accessibility of infrastructure;

● air quality and the environmental situation;

● access to medical services;

● the level of personal safety;

● political stability;

● social life and leisure;

● the quality of housing and utilities;

● climatic conditions.

It is precisely because of these indicators that Europe took all of the top 10 positions in the ranking, which experts attribute to years of investment in healthcare, public transport, the environment, and urban planning.

It is important to remember that most European countries have a toll road system. To avoid fines and not waste time paying on the spot, you can purchase an electronic road vignette for traveling on highways in advance online at Visit Ukraine. This is a convenient solution for those who are planning a road trip through Europe and want to travel between cities without any hassle.

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Bern — the most comfortable city in the world

Bern took first place in the global ranking. The capital of Switzerland combines high social standards with a measured pace of life, historical heritage, and well-thought-out urban infrastructure.

Bern is known for:

● its 12th-century medieval center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site;

● its compactness and pedestrian-friendliness;

● its clean air and access to nature.

Popular places for residents and tourists include Freibad Marzili, a swimming area right on the Aare River with turquoise water, and Kulturzentrum Reitschule, a cultural space with concerts, theater, and cinema.

Experts note that Bern is an example of a city where comfort is based not on scale, but on the balance of all areas of life.

Top 10 most comfortable cities in the world

The top ten in the ECA International ranking include:

● Bern, Switzerland

● Copenhagen, Denmark

● Stavanger, Norway

● Geneva, Switzerland

● Luxembourg, Luxembourg

● The Hague, Netherlands

● Vienna, Austria

● Munich, Germany

● Dublin, Ireland

● Lisbon, Portugal

These cities consistently demonstrate high levels of safety, quality of healthcare, transportation, and social welfare.

Comfort ≠ cheap living: an important nuance of the ranking

At the same time, experts emphasize that a high level of comfort in Europe is often combined with a high cost of living. Most of the top 10 cities are also among the most expensive in the world, particularly in terms of housing, transportation, and basic services.

This means that the ECA International ranking primarily reflects conditions for long-term living, working, and family life, rather than affordability for short trips.

We remind you! EIU analysts have named the best cities in the world to live in 2025. Read why Copenhagen tops the ranking, which cities in Asia and Canada made it into the top 20, and why the US, UK, and Ukraine did not make the list.

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