World's best city for culture? Time Out crowns Prague runner-up

In a new ranking from Time Out, over 21,000 city dwellers across the globe were surveyed about culture in their city. Each city was then ranked based on how locals scored their city's culture scene for both quality and affordability.

Mexico City earned the top spot in the brand’s first ever World’s Best Cities for Culture survey, edging out Prague at number 2 as the world’s best culture capital right now.

According to the survey, Mexico City locals gave their city exceptional scores for both the quality and affordability of its culture scene. They praised Mexico City's mighty array of museums, including the grand Palacio de Bellas Artes and iconic Frida Kahlo Museum. Many of these cultural institutions offer either free admission or free entry on Sundays, appealing to locals' wallets.

Prague came next, with locals dubbing its “simply stunning architecture a veritable outdoor museum.” Shout outs were also given to the Czech capital whose “striking Czech Gothic towers, arch bridges looping over the Vltava and over a dozen castles, makes it a veritable outdoor museum.“

What did Prague locals vote as their favorite activity? Simply “walking around” was one of the most common responses about culture activities respondents love in their city.

Time Out goes on to write that “the City of a Hundred Spires offers more than just good looks: it’s also a hub for performing arts, with locals raving about the city’s opera heritage, classical concerts and venues like the National Theatre. Of all cities surveyed, Prague scored the highest for affordability – it doesn’t cost much to wander around, after all.“ 

Giving a seasonal run down of events, writer and Prague local Yaren Fadiloglulari told the publication: “In spring, classical music lovers enjoy the Prague Spring International Music Festival. In summer, the picturesque Letná Park hosts the circus and theatre festival Letní Letná, and the Metronome Festival brings together musicians from all over the world. No matter what time of year, look out for ballets and operas at the National Theatre and contemporary art at MeetFactory.“

In the top 10, the Czech capital is in good company. Prague outranked Athens, Vienna, Madrid and Florence in culture cred.