The cleanest and dirtiest cities in the world: a new ranking from Radical Storage

The cleanliness of a city often determines tourists' first impressions and can either enhance their love for the location or ruin their trip. A new study has revealed which cities have become models of cleanliness and which have received the most criticism from travellers. Find out more about the cleanest and dirtiest cities in the world that made the ranking and why they ended up there

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When tourists choose a destination for their travels, they consider more than just architecture, culture, or history. The cleanliness of urban spaces has become one of the key criteria that shapes attitudes towards a city, influences the desire to return, and even determines the level of comfort during a stay.

That is why Radical Storage conducted a large-scale analysis of travellers' reviews to show which cities in the world are considered the cleanest and which are the most problematic in terms of cleanliness.

Who received the highest ratings and who received the most criticism, why some cities are becoming examples of order while others are losing their image — we will tell you more in this article.

The cleanest cities in the world

According to the results of the study, the top positions were taken by cities where concern for cleanliness has been transformed into a sustainable urban policy, supported by infrastructure and a culture of responsibility.

Top 10 cleanest cities in the world:

– Krakow, Poland;

– Sharjah, UAE;

– Singapore;

– Warsaw, Poland;

– Doha, Qatar;

– Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;

– Prague, Czech Republic;

– Muscat, Oman;

– Dubai, UAE;

– Fukuoka, Japan.

Krakow became the absolute leader — most reviews note its well-kept streets, neat public spaces and a general sense of order. The Polish city received the highest percentage of positive mentions about cleanliness among all participants in the analysis.

Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates also ranked high. There, maintaining order means clear rules and regular investment in cleaning and street maintenance.

Unsurprisingly, Singapore, long known for its strict cleanliness standards, well-coordinated waste management system and culture of respect for public spaces, also made it onto the list of leaders.

Among European cities, Warsaw was also highly rated, combining modern urban organisation with active community participation in maintaining order.

Doha rounded out the top five, managing to maintain a positive image even despite huge tourist flows thanks to systematic measures and investments in urban improvement.

The world's dirtiest cities

The other side of the ranking showed that even the most famous tourist centres can be criticised for the condition of their streets and public areas.

Top 10 dirtiest cities in the world:

– Budapest, Hungary;

– Rome, Italy;

– Las Vegas, USA;

– Florence, Italy;

– Paris, France;

– Milan, Italy;

– Verona, Italy;

– Frankfurt, Germany;

– Brussels, Belgium;

– Cairo, Egypt.

Budapest received the most negative reviews — a significant number of tourists point to litter, neglected areas and noticeable problems with maintaining the territory in proper condition.

This may be due to a combination of heavy tourist traffic and insufficiently effective cleaning mechanisms.

Rome was among the cities with a noticeably negative background, with many visitors noting that its cleanliness does not match its status as a world tourism capital. Similar comments were made about Las Vegas, where the vibrant nightlife and endless stream of people create difficult conditions for maintaining order, and Florence, where historic buildings and narrow streets complicate the work of municipal services.

Paris also made the list — despite its status as a cult city, it has also faced criticism for litter and the condition of certain areas, although the authorities are actively trying to improve the situation.

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Why are these findings important for tourists?

This Radical Storage study shows that cleanliness directly affects the quality of travel, the reputation of cities, and the desire of tourists to return. Cities that invest in improvements and systematically maintain order gain greater trust and become more attractive for future travel.

Travelling around Europe by car?

Many cities in this ranking are popular destinations for road trips that include toll motorways. To avoid fines and unnecessary hassle, it is important to purchase an electronic vignette in advance.

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can quickly obtain an electronic vignette for toll roads in Europe. Officially, safely, without queues and unnecessary bureaucracy. Convenient payment, instant confirmation and support — everything to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

Don't delay — get your electronic vignette at Visit Ukraine and travel around Europe without any obstacles!

Reminder! In Ukraine, New Year symbolises family gatherings and gifts under the Christmas tree. However, some countries have completely different customs. How Europe celebrates New Year and the most interesting traditions from different countries — follow the link.

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