Travel + Leisure’s top destinations for ‘Big City Thrills’ in 2023

Whether you’re browsing airfares or simply armchair dreaming, it’s always fun to peruse the “hot destinations for the new year” lists that travel magazines and websites post at this time of year.

In the case of Travel + Leisure’s 50 hot destinations for 2023, the list reflects the dreams of its editors, who are busily planning where they most want to go in the months ahead. It’s an eclectic list and one that’s divided by vacation type, from “beach vibes” — think Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and coastal Uruguay — to “cultural riches.” If you’re a foodie or a wine lover, you may want to check out the gastronomic destinations, which range from France’s Jura region to California’s Central Coast, home to Paso Robles and SLO wine country.

And if what you’re after is big city fun, T+L has that, too, with a list that includes Copenhagen, the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture for 2023, as well as Madrid, Seoul and our own city by the bay. San Francisco gets a nod for its classics — “the arts, the nature, the dim sum, the sourdough,” editor Hannah Walought writes — as well as new attractions. The Presidio Tunnel Tops get a shout-out, as does the new Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco, where admission is always free.

Find all 50 destinations — along with details on what to see and do there — at www.travelandleisure.com. Meanwhile, here’s a peek at those big cities with oomph.

7 Best Cities for Big City Thrills

1 Copenhagen, Denmark

2 Houston, Texas

3 Madrid, Spain