Top 5 Fast-Rising Cities To Visit in 2026
Travellers looking beyond familiar capitals can find fresh energy in these five fast-rising cities to visit in 2026. Each pairs rapid change with memorable food, creative neighbourhoods and stories best discovered on foot.
Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index assesses 1,000 cities across economics, skills, quality of life, the environment and governance. Its outlook highlights places where change is beginning to reshape daily life and the visitor experience.
1. Toulouse, France (Big-city energy, easier pace)
Toulouse is even featured in Oxford Economics’ list of five European “Cities to Watch” for 2026, because of its high-tech manufacturing industries. Its pink-brick streets, cafés and food scene are accompanied by aerospace displays: Cité de l’Espace, Aeroscopia and La Halle de La Machine. Designated area for festivals and open-air bars beyond the city centre.
2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (A city in motion)
The city of Ho Chi Minh is among the Asian cities that are dramatically changing the global city map, according to Oxford Economics. It was launched in December 2024 with its first line, spanning almost 20 kilometres from Bến Thành to Suối Tiên. Go to the Central Post Office, Opera House and War Remnants Museum, and then eat bánh mì, broken rice and taste the markets and temples of Chợ Lách.
3. Warsaw, Poland (A new European story)
Warsaw climbed 109 places in the 2026 Global Cities Index, moving close to the top 50. Its skyline reflects rapid change, while the Old Town, rebuilt after World War Two, holds its history. Walk from the Palace of Culture and Science along Nowy Świat, stopping for a Polish doughnut or a meal at a traditional milk bar.
4. Medellín, Colombia (Culture beyond the postcard)
Across the Aburrá Valley, services accounted for about 44% of jobs in 2007 and nearly 50% by 2026, reflecting a shift away from manufacturing. Medellín’s Metrocable connects hillside communities, while creative district Perpetuo Socorro draws visitors for art, design and coffee. In Comuna 13, murals, music and outdoor escalators tell a complex story of change. A local guide can provide context beyond the photo spots.
5. Abu Dhabi, UAE (More than modern landmarks)
Abu Dhabi is building a wider cultural offer alongside its changing economy. The Natural History Museum and Zayed National Museum opened on Saadiyat Island in 2025, and the planned Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is scheduled for December 2026. Between museum visits, unwind at waterfront cafés, beaches and nearby mangroves.
Growth alone does not make a city worth visiting. The real draw is how change feels on the ground: through food, local neighbourhoods and the history behind new buildings. These five cities invite travellers to look beyond the usual sightseeing route.
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