This Popular US City Is The Most Beautiful In The World, According To A 2025 Study

The most beautiful city in the world comes along with an impressive list of bragging rights. It is the first city in the world to boast a modern skyscraper (the Home Insurance Building, built in 1885) and a vast 26-mile shoreline that hosts parks, gardens, and public beaches for locals and visitors alike. Ask any local what they think of Chicago, Illinois, and you will likely hear tales of its beauty and convenience.

That's exactly what the website Time Out asked residents of 118 cities around the world in 2025. With more than 18,500 people responding, more residents of Chicago boasted about the beauty of their city than any other. In all, 83% of Chicagoans agreed that their city was beautiful, placing it on the top of the list. The beauty of Chicago is easily found near the lakeshore as well as within the artsy neighborhoods that embrace their Victorian-era beauty and cobbled streets.

The Windy City is the only U.S. city to make it on this particular Time Out top 10 list, edging out other gorgeous global cities like Cape Town, South Africa, with a very respectable 82% of that city's residents sharing that they think their city is a stunner, and Sydney, Australia, with 79%. Chicago is large, bustling, and diverse. It is full of stunning architecture on the shore of Lake Michigan and along the Chicago River — with so much to offer, it's not surprising that so many residents are happy to call this city beautiful.

While the 10-story Home Insurance Building mentioned above (demolished in 1931) may seem small compared to the heights of major Illinois tourist attractions of today, like the Willis Tower, which has 108 floors and reaches 1,451 feet, it impacted the present-day, impressive skyline of Chicago along Lake Michigan. Throughout the shoreline and the city, there are more than 580 parks and green spaces that offer a direct link to nature within this urban environment. The beauty of the parks and natural areas are accessible throughout the year, and many have seasonal events available where participants can learn more about promoting a healthy environment. Some of the most popular and scenic parks include Grant Park, Lincoln Park, Northerly Island Park, Maggie Daley Park, and the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary.

The beauty of Chicago can also be found within its streets and communities. In fact, the city is home to Illinois' most beautiful restaurant, Beatnik on the River, serving up delicious food within a Bohemian-inspired atmosphere. So, whether you are taking in the atmospheric views from a skyscraper's viewing decks, strolling along portions of the 156-mile Chicago River that runs through downtown, or taking in trendy neighborhoods and culinary surprises, you can easily find the beauty Chicago residents enjoy every day.

As Coco Chanel once said, "Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside." While she was talking about people, the phrase can certainly apply to cities as well. Sources vary on exactly how many museums are in Chicago, but that number is high: somewhere between 60 and 90. These cultural powerhouses display everything from contemporary art and natural history dioramas to planetarium displays of the cosmos and cultural history. Some of the most famous include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the National Museum of Mexican Art, the American Writers Museum, and the locally-loved and nationally recognized Color Factory.

Public art displays are also prevalent throughout the city. More than 500 individual art pieces welcome passersby. One of the most famous is the Cloud Gate, also known lovingly as "The Bean." This 110-ton sculpture pictured above reflects the city's famous skyline from every angle. There is also the 50-foot tall Pablo Picasso creation (simply called "The Picasso") that can be seen outside the Art Institute.

Displays of art have also found their way into Chicago's main airport. O'Hare International Airport is home to 70-plus pieces and it just so happens to be one of three U.S. airports with the most non-stop flights. Discovering the beauty of Chicago is easy with its design, architecture, and commitment to green spaces and creativity. It's no wonder the city made it to the top of the Time Out list in 2025.