NICOLA Sturgeon has welcomed the news that two Scottish cities have been listed as among the top five in the world to visit in 2022.
Scotland’s First Minister was thrilled as Edinburgh made the number one spot – and Glasgow wasn’t far behind at number four.
Time Out compiled the list of the best cities to go to in the world this year, surveying 20,000 people across the globe including city experts and journalists in the process.
The top travel magazine used categories including a city’s beauty, walkability, how easy it is to find green spaces and whether it’s possible to easily express who you are.
Edinburgh made the top spot due to its historic landmarks, architecture and scenery – as well as its eating and drinking scene.
It was picked as the most beautiful city, the most walkable city, the second easiest to express who you are and the third easiest to access green space.
However, some 74% of those surveyed viewed is an expensive place and just 34% felt it was a good location to meet somebody romantically.
Glasgow was named the friendliest city, and the second-most affordable – with its nightlife scene and top restaurants highlighted as reasons to visit.
Sturgeon shared the results of the list and added: “What a brilliant endorsement of two great cities,” followed by a number of Saltires.
Other cities in the top five included Chicago at number two and Medellin at three. Amsterdam was ranked just behind Glasgow.
Explaining why Edinburgh and Glasgow came so high, Time Out’s Scotland correspondent Arusa Qureshi said: "There are many different characteristics to Edinburgh as a city, which when blended together make it one of the most interesting and entertaining places to live.
“There’s the picturesque and striking via its green spaces and Georgian architecture or the buzzing, vibrant and occasionally out-there elements of its year-round festivals and events. There is a togetherness and welcoming spirit in the city that is perhaps its true strength.
Qureshi went on: "When it comes to music, nightlife and other forms of arts and culture, Glasgow is without a doubt one of the best places to be.
“Its world-class venues, clubs, restaurants and bars make it impossible not to have a great day or night out in the city, whatever your taste. Glasgow is also a city with passionate locals that are forever looking out for the most vulnerable in society".
