World’s trendiest neighborhoods defining culture, community, cuisine

Euronews has unveiled its annual list of the world's coolest neighbourhoods, highlighting 38 vibrant areas that range from hidden gems to historically iconic spots experiencing a renaissance.

Hip bakeries and indie bookstores have helped secure the number one spot for a neighbourhood in Marseille, named the “coolest in the world” by Time Out magazine in its annual ranking. Notre-Dame-du-Mont, adorned with graffiti and filled with vintage shops, was chosen for its “rebellious spirit.” It is among 38 neighbourhoods highlighted by Time Out's global team of writers and editors as top destinations to visit right now.

Two other European neighbourhoods also made the top ten: Stokes Croft and St Paul’s in Bristol, UK (6th place), and Príncipe Real in Lisbon, Portugal (8th place). Marseille, located in southern France, is known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and Mediterranean climate, embodying a mix of cool and chaos. Once recognized as the artists’ district, Notre-Dame-du-Mont features bustling restaurants, art galleries, and independent shops.

Time Out suggests visiting the iconic local bakery Pain Pan for brioche, then exploring the artwork at Galerie Charivari. You can find a new book at L'Histoire de l'œil bookshop, accompanied by coffee from Razzia or a drink on the terrace at Café la Muse.

To wrap up your day, enjoy dinner at Livingston, which features a rotating lineup of resident chefs, before settling in at the stylish Mama Shelter hotel. Marseille is easily accessible from across Europe, with TGV InOui trains connecting it to Paris in just three hours. The Marseille Saint-Charles train station is a short 20-minute walk from Notre-Dame-du-Mont. Time Out’s list highlights 38 neighborhoods worldwide, showcasing a mix of overlooked suburbs and historically trendy areas undergoing revitalization. 

The selection process goes beyond typical hipster elements like street art and craft breweries; these locations were chosen for their representation of the best aspects of their cities’ culture, community spirit, nightlife, and food and drink scenes. Zabłocie in Kraków, Poland, secured 11th place, surpassing the original hipster district of Kazimierz thanks to its revitalized riverside parks and innovative restaurants, alongside notable landmarks like Oskar Schindler’s Factory and the brutalist Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK). 

Punavuori in Helsinki, Finland, ranks 14th, with Time Out drawing comparisons to New York’s Brooklyn and Berlin’s Kreuzberg. In Berlin, however, Friedrichshain, at 18th place, has outpaced Kreuzberg, having evolved after years of tourist traffic drawn to the legendary nightclub Berghain and the East Side Gallery. In France, the lively neighborhood of Belleville in Paris comes in 20th, known for its energetic atmosphere and a calendar full of festivals and events. 

In the UK, Strathbungo in Glasgow (22nd place) and Leyton in London (24th place) stand out, while Inchicore in Dublin, Ireland, takes the 25th spot. Portugal also makes the list with Bonfim in Porto at 30th place, followed by Hungary’s Palace District in Budapest at 31st.

By Naila Huseynova