City recognized for blending historic grandeur with cutting-edge innovation; ranks #20 for Shopping globally
Hyderabad, November 28, 2025 – Hyderabad has earned global recognition by securing the 82nd position in the prestigious World’s Best Cities 2026 report by Resonance Consultancy, cementing its status as a world-class urban destination.
India’s Strong Showing
India had three cities in the elite list: Bengaluru tops with 29th position, Delhi 54th, and Hyderabad 82nd. The inclusion of multiple Indian cities demonstrates the country’s growing global stature across technology, business, and urban development.
Global Top 5
London emerged as the world’s best city, followed by New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Madrid in the top five. London holds the crown for an astonishing 11th consecutive year.
Evaluation Criteria
The rankings were based on key indicators such as economic strength, infrastructure, tourism, safety, environment, quality of life, and overall livability. The rankings evaluated more than 270 global cities on parameters such as economic performance, quality of life, environmental sustainability, tourism appeal and safety.
Exceptional Category Rankings
What sets Hyderabad apart are its outstanding performances in specific categories:
#2 Global Ranking for Sights & Landmarks: Golconda Fort and Mecca Masjid secure Hyderabad a strong #2 position in Sights & Landmarks. The Old City, the Charminar and Golconda Fort contribute to a second ranking for Sights & Landmarks.
#20 Global Ranking for Shopping: The Charminar stands as the heart of the Old City, with Laad Bazaar’s jewellery lanes boosting the city’s impressive #20 ranking for Shopping.
Balanced Urban Growth
Resonance CEO Chris Fair said the rankings were prepared after a detailed and scientific assessment of major global cities. Hyderabad was recognised for its balanced urban growth, combining economic development, infrastructure expansion, resident-friendly living conditions, and cultural heritage.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Hyderabad reflects a perfect mix of old-world heritage and new-age technology. The city has successfully maintained its historical character while transforming into a global technology hub.
Tourism and Cultural Heritage
The report made a special mention of Hyderabad’s iconic monuments, such as Charminar and Golconda Fort, stating that they have transformed the city into a major international tourist destination. Foreign tourists expressed high levels of satisfaction with the city’s heritage and cultural richness, helping Hyderabad emerge as a globally recognised heritage city.
Technology and Innovation Hub
Hyderabad earned high praise for its emergence as a global technology and innovation hub, hosting multinational giants such as Google, Amazon, along with leading pharma and life sciences companies. Rapid growth in IT, biotechnology, startups, and research, supported by Genome Valley and T-Hub 2.0, has strengthened the city’s standing as a fast-rising global knowledge and economic centre.
The report mentioned that Microsoft and Google are building their largest campuses outside the U.S.
Family-Friendly Destination
The city recorded strong scores in categories like Sights & Landmarks and Family-friendly Attractions, highlighting its growing appeal among both Indian and international visitors. The report said Hyderabad offers a rare mix of livability, safety, culture, and leisure infrastructure.
Additional Recognition
The city also achieved 50th position in the Top 100 Tastiest Cities list, showcasing Hyderabad’s renowned culinary scene, particularly its famous biryani and diverse food culture.
Economic and Infrastructure Strength
Hyderabad earned its ranking due to strong IT services and expanding civic facilities. Officials say the ranking reflects long-term public investment. They add that steady private sector expansion also strengthened the city. Many industry bodies agree that Hyderabad offers stable infrastructure. They point to strong roads, reliable power, and growing transit systems.
Global Investor Interest
The ranking also signals global interest in Hyderabad’s future. Investors track cities that offer skilled talent and steady growth. Hyderabad meets both conditions.
A Harmonious Blend
The recognition validates Hyderabad’s unique character as “a harmonious city with a high-speed blend of historic grandeur and cutting-edge innovation”—a description that captures the city’s ability to honor its 400-year-old heritage while simultaneously emerging as a 21st-century technology powerhouse.
With its strong performance across multiple categories—particularly its exceptional #2 global ranking for Sights & Landmarks and #20 for Shopping—Hyderabad has demonstrated that it offers not just economic opportunities but also cultural richness, quality of life, and urban sophistication that rival the world’s best cities.
With its steady rise in technology, tourism, innovation, and infrastructure, Hyderabad has once again reinforced its image as a world-class city. Its inclusion among the World’s Best Cities 2026 reflects not just growth, but its emergence as a major global urban destination
