As August draws to a close and the northern hemisphere begins to cool, travellers who avoided the summer heat may be planning city breaks. For those seeking inspiration, hotel chain Premier Inn has applied a scientific approach to determine which cities are most visually appealing in summer.
The company collected summertime images of over 60 major cities worldwide and used eye-tracking technology to analyse which pictures captured attention fastest and held it longest. The results, published this week, reveal a strong European presence in the top rankings.
European cities dominate the top 30
According to the study, Banff in Canada is the most beautiful summer city, scoring 96.0 out of 100. Participants spent an average of 3.2 seconds gazing at the image of this mountain town, the longest duration for any image in the study. Mykonos in Greece follows in second place with a score of 87.3, its whitewashed houses and electric blue sea drawing attention in just 1.5 seconds. Sydney, Australia, ranks third with 85.6, thanks to its vibrant urban beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
Bruges in Belgium, with its canals and gabled townhouses, takes fourth place (84.1), while Bristol, a historic port city in the United Kingdom, rounds out the top five (83.7). The top ten also includes Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Kyoto in Japan, Kotor in Montenegro, Auckland in New Zealand, and Los Angeles in the United States.
Overall, European destinations dominate the top 30, with 19 cities making the list. The United Kingdom has five entries: Bristol, Liverpool (15th), Bath (25th), Glasgow (27th), and Brighton (29th). Germany also performs strongly, with Munich (14th), Freiburg (16th), Hamburg (22nd), and Dresden (23rd).
The findings highlight the enduring appeal of European urban landscapes, from Mediterranean islands to northern canal cities. For those planning a late-summer getaway, the list offers a mix of well-known favourites and lesser-known gems. As Greece's August 15th celebrations show, summer in Europe is as much about culture as scenery.
While the study focuses on aesthetics, travellers may also consider practical factors such as heat and crowds. Recent data on Germany's record heat-related deaths underscores the importance of planning for extreme temperatures. For those seeking cooler alternatives, the list includes cities like Bruges and Bristol, which offer milder summer climates.
The eye-tracking methodology provides a novel way to assess visual appeal, though it does not account for other aspects of a city's charm, such as food, history, or nightlife. Still, for travellers who prioritise aesthetics, the rankings offer a useful starting point.
As remote work becomes more common, some may consider combining a city break with work. A recent ranking of European cities for remote work holidays could help those looking to extend their stay. Meanwhile, the rise of robotaxis in European cities may soon change how visitors explore these urban centres.
For now, the eye-tracking study offers a visual feast of summer destinations, with Europe leading the way. Whether you prefer the Cycladic charm of Mykonos or the medieval streets of Bruges, there is no shortage of beautiful cities to explore this season.
