Lonely Planet's top 10 cities for 2017

From gorging on exceedingly fine architecture, art, food and wine in Unesco-listed Bordeaux, to relaxing in Plaza de la Independencia in the cultural capital Mérida and soaking up the glorious colonial architecture.

Check out Lonely Planet's top 10 cities for 2017.

1. Bordeaux, France

They used to call her the ‘Sleeping Beauty’, but – though she’s hit the snooze button a few times – Bordeaux is now wide awake and ready for action.

2. Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain is Cape Town’s star attraction, but South Africa’s brightest diamond of a city is also blessed with beautiful beaches, bountiful vineyards and a rainbow array of people, cultures and design.

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3. Los Angeles, USA

Despite its reputation as a land of celebrities, health fanatics and all-around superficiality, LA has been gaining steam as a cultural destination while becoming more accessible than ever.

4. Merida, Mexico

On any given day you’ll find a dizzying array of live music, art shows and dance performances, and the booming culinary scene is hotter than a Habanero pepper.

5. Ohrid, Macedonia

Overlooking the extraordinarily blue waters of its eponymous lake, Ohrid enjoys a stunning position that is best viewed from a boat.

6. Pistoia, Italy

People sometimes refer to Pistoia as ‘little Florence’ for its concentration of art and architecture. And yet, despite its charms, this Tuscan town sees just a fraction of Florence’s tourists. That’s set to change in 2017, when the city will take its turn as Italy’s Capital of Culture.

7. Seoul, South Korea

Following on from successful projects such as the Cheonggyecheon, the city will unveil in the latter part of 2017 the Seoul Skygarden.

8. Lisbon, Portugal

It’s got sights, culture and cuisine, yet Lisbon’s rarely mentioned alongside southern European heavyweights such as Barcelona or Rome.

9. Moscow, Russia

Russia may not have revealed all its Revolution-centennial plans, but it’s as clear as a crenellated Kremlin façade that there will be radical changes in Moscow.

10. Portland, Oregon

Portland doesn’t try to impress anyone and so impresses everyone. It’s America’s city of the future: a friendly, sustainable, ethical place that values good living and leisure over acquisitiveness and ambition.

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