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Summary for: World's Best Cities 2026: Prague ranks among the globe's most livable citiesPrague has strengthened its position among the world’s top urban cities, ranking in the top 25 for overall livability in the World’s Best Cities Index 2026 by global consultancy Resonance. Prague is the world’s 38th-best city and the top capital in the Central and Eastern European region overall.
The ranking, released this week, evaluated metropolitan areas with populations over 1 million. Resonance inspected cities based on livability (factors like public transit, walkability, and weather), lovability (perceptions on social media, nightlife, and more), and prosperity (university quality, how many large firms in a city, and employment rates).
Putting residents first
Resonance cited Prague’s post-pandemic recovery as a key factor behind its strong performance. “Focusing on resident needs [has] created a more accessible city while tourists weren’t looking,” the study noted.
The Czech capital achieved top-five rankings in the Health category and sixth place in Standard of Living, reflecting major investments in culture, transport, and urban regeneration.
A strong cultural hub
“Along the Vltava, the city keeps investing in people-first riverfronts: Náplavka’s vaulted bays hum with markets and galleries, while the Čapadlo embankment hosts open-air concerts that validate an [overall] 16th-place ranking for Sights & Landmarks and 17th for Nightlife,” writes Resonance.
According to Resonance, cultural institutions continue to bolster the city’s reputation, with Kunsthalle, the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, and the National Gallery helping maintain a 16th-position global ranking for the Museums category. The study even pinpointed events like the Signal Festival as extending vitality into public spaces each autumn.
Fast-developing infrastructure
Urban development also remains active. The study describes the construction of the new Metro D line, while the Smíchov City project aims to expand mixed-income housing and offices near a future transport terminal.
Resonance also describes architect Zaha Hadid’s Masaryčka complex as creating “a destination retail-and-office scene,” while taking note of the nearby Savarin Palace’s redevelopment.
The study says that Prague’s investments in tourism and hospitality also improve the city. W Prague’s opening has “reanimated” the Grand Hotel Evropa on Wenceslas Square, Resonance says.
On a global level, London ranked as the world’s best city for 2026. Prague ranked as the 17th-best city out of all European countries assessed. As the study summarizes, "Prague’s future shines bright."
