This year’s Fifa World Cup is on a never-before-seen scale.Forty-eight nations are competing (up from 32), and it’s the first time in the history of the soccer tournament that three different countries will co-host — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — with matches being played across an entire continent in 16 cities.Here, we give you the lowdown on the essentials for each one, from the top sights and neighborhoods, to standout soccer-mad bars for watching the game and great places to stay, plus tips on how to get around and the locations of the stadiums where the matches will be played.We’ve divided this at-a-glance guide into four categories — the mega metros that take longer to explore using a mix of transportation; the walkable cities with compact centers; sprawling cities where cars and rideshares are a necessity; and hybrid destinations with walkable districts but public transit and cars needed to plug the gaps and cover longer journeys.As revealed below, soccer fans are in for a treat, with attractions in host cities that include breathtaking cathedrals, epic bridges, and some of the world’s most famous skylines. The mega metros New York CityNew York City is one of the most prestigious World Cup venues, with top sights that include the Statue of Liberty (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The vibe: Big skyline, big energ, and world-class everything, from hotels to restaurants, and from museums to shows.Don’t miss: Central Park, with its bridges, fountains and open-air Shakespeare performances. The Statue of Liberty, an 1886 gift from France, is the other must-see.Top neighbourhoods: Lower East Side for nightlife; Williamsburg in Brooklyn for creative buzz.Top soccer bars: Legends NYC, near Times Square; Smithfield Hall near Madison Square Garden; and Redd’s Restaurant & Bar, near the stadium.How to get around: Use the tap-in subway system.Where matches are played: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey —10 miles from Manhattan. Easily reached using NJ Transit trains or buses. For the World Cup, the host area is being marketed as a single entity: “New York New Jersey.”Where to stay: Midtown or Lower Manhattan. Try Arlo Midtown (rooms from $250). Book nowRead more: Twenty-two incredible free things to do and see in New York City, from beaches to secret gardensLos Angeles The Griffith Observatory and Park is one of the top attractions in Los Angeles (Getty Images)The vibe: Sun-soaked glamor.Don’t miss: The Griffith Observatory & Park on Mt. Hollywood for the iconic Hollywood sign, mesmerizing planetarium and cinematic city panoramas. And Santa Monica Pier — the "finish line" of Route 66.Top neighborhoods: Santa Monica — quintessential shoreline California; West Hollywood for upscale cocktail bars and restaurants.Top soccer bars: Tom's Watch Bar, downtown; 33 Taps Silver Lake; and Joxer Daly's, Culver City.How to get around: Hire car or rideshare — quicker for negotiating the sprawl than public transport.Where matches are played: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — 10 miles southwest of downtown LA.Where to stay: Santa Monica or Hollywood addresses. Try The Garland in North Hollywood (rooms from $220).Book nowRead more: 10 natural spectacles in the US that you must see at least onceMexico CityMexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest in Latin America (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The vibe: Historic charm blended with a vibrant, sometimes chaotic, energy.Don’t miss: The Unesco-listed Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world. On its northern side is the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest in Latin America.Top neighborhoods: Roma and Condesa for cafes nestled in leafy streets; Polanco for refined food.Top soccer bars: Pinche Gringo BBQ Warehouse, Fiebre de Malta and Dog House Pub.How to get around: Lean into using the Metro, as traffic can be bumper to bumper.Where matches are played: Estadio Azteca in the Tlalpan district.Where to stay: Roma or Condesa. Try Casa Decu (rooms from $150). Book nowRead more: Eight of the best Mexico beach towns for crowd-free escapesWalkable citiesBostonCompact Boston is full of history, and easy to explore on foot (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The vibe: Historic, laidback, and easy to explore on foot.Don’t miss: The Freedom Trail, which links multiple key historic sites. Tours are led by 18th-century costumed guides. And head to the Fenway Park baseball stadium – dating to 1912, it’s America's oldest.Top neighborhoods: Back Bay for shopping; the North End for Italian restaurants.Top soccer bars: Phoenix Landing, The Banshee, and Parlor Sports.How to get around: Walk, and hop on the “T” subway to cover bigger distances.Where matches are played: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough — about 23 miles southwest of Boston. Easily reached by special event trains from South Station, or car.Where to stay: Back Bay or Downtown. Try The Revolution Hotel (rooms from $180). Book nowRead more: Twelve of America’s most surprisingly walkable citiesPhiladelphiaRunning up the 'Rocky' steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a rite of passage (Getty Images)The vibe: Historic and sports mad.Don’t miss: Snap a picture in front of Liberty Bell, and follow in Rocky’s footsteps and run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s a rite of passage.Top neighborhoods: Center City for shops and historical landmarks (including Liberty Bell and Independence Hall); Fishtown for bars and restaurants loved by locals.Top soccer bars: Tir Na Nog Irish Pub, The Black Taxi, and Victoria Freehouse.How to get around: The downtown is walkable, with Septa trains and buses taking care of longer trips.Where matches are played: Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia, in the city’s stadium district, about four miles from Center City.Where to stay: Center City. Try The Notary Hotel (rooms from $200).Book nowRead more: 7 of the most beautiful downtowns in America — and they’re all walkableTorontoTaking in the spellbinding views from the CN Tower is a ‘don’t miss’ in Toronto (TOimages - stock.adobe.com)The vibe: Fresh, easygoing and cosmopolitan.Don’t miss: The jaw-dropping views from the CN Tower observation deck at 1,136 feet; browse the historic St Lawrence Market.Top neighborhoods: Queen West for historic buildings and boutiques; Yorkville for designer shopping.Top soccer bars: Real Sports Bar & Grill, The Dock Ellis, and Scotland Yard Pub.How to get around: Subway, streetcar and by foot.Where matches are played: BMO Field at Exhibition Place — on the waterfront, about two miles from downtown.Where to stay: Downtown. Try Ace Hotel Toronto (rooms from $250). Book nowRead more: Why this exhilarating Canadian city I once called home is the perfect World Cup hostVancouverVancouver has an outdoorsy vibe thanks to its scenic setting (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The vibe: Scenic and outdoorsy — forests and mountains are the backdrop of this waterfront gem.Don’t miss: Cycle the 1,001-acre Stanley Park — one of North America’s most scenic. Explore Granville Island, a former industrial site that’s now home to cozy cafes, independent shops and a huge indoor market.Top neighbourhoods: Granville Island for the artisanal vibe; Kitsilano for the beaches and parks.Top soccer bars: The Pint Public House Vancouver, Dublin Calling Vancouver and Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill Vancouver.How to get around: Combine the SkyTrain with walking.Where matches are played: BC Place — right in downtown Vancouver.Where to stay: Downtown. Try EXchange Hotel Vancouver (rooms from $220).Book nowRead more: Forget New York and Chicago – Vancouver is the North American city I return to time and againSeattleSeattle has one of America's most distinctive skylines thanks to the Space Needle. In the background is Mount Rainier, an active volcano (Getty Images)The vibe: Creative, casual, progressive, nature-loving.Don’t miss: The views from 520 feet up at the Space Needle observation deck (which has a glass-floor level); the 200-plus stalls at Pike Place Market.Top neighborhoods: Downtown for waterfront sights; Capitol Hill for LGBT+ culture, nightlife and diverse dining.Top soccer bars: Atlantic Crossing, The George & Dragon Pub and St Andrews Bar & Grill.How to get around: Light rail, buses and walking will get you where you need to go.Where matches are played: Lumen Field — just south of downtown Seattle.Where to stay: Downtown. Try CitizenM Seattle Pioneer Square (rooms from $200).Book nowRead more: 1 Hotel Seattle, hotel reviewGuadalajaraThe magnificent cathedral in Guadalajara is one of many historic treasures in the city (Getty Images)The vibe: Bustling and hip. It’s the birthplace of tequila and mariachi (traditional Mexican folk music), so fun times are a priority.Don’t miss: The vibrant murals in the Instituto Cultural Cabañas and 17th-century, double-spired Guadalajara Cathedral — it’s a masterpiece.Top neighborhoods: Centro Histórico, where you'll find the cathedral, the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, and buzzy street life; Pedestrian-friendly Chapultepec, for its bars, cafes and fountains.Top soccer bars: Cervecería Chapultepec, Patán Ale House and Skygamers Sports Bar.How to get around: Rideshares and light rail.Where matches are played: Estadio Akron in Zapopan — about seven miles west of central Guadalajara.Where to stay: Chapultepec or the historic center. Try Hotel Morales (rooms from $120).Book nowRead more: Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort hotel reviewCar cities — four wheels needed to travel the sprawlDallasDallas is big, bold and has a passion for sports (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The vibe: Skyscrapers, steakhouses and an unbending passion for sports.Don’t miss: The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which chronicles the life, assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy through artifacts and multimedia exhibits; the fairytale Dallas Arboretum, 66 acres of beautifully manicured gardens overlooking White Rock Lake.Top neighbourhoods: Bishop Arts District for indy boutiques and restaurants; Deep Ellum for live music.Top soccer bars: The Londoner Addison, Christies Sports Bar Dallas, and The Crafty Irishman.How to get around: Hire a car or use rideshares — distances are vast.Where matches are played: AT&T Stadium in Arlington — midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, about 20 miles from downtown.Where to stay: Uptown or Downtown. Try The Joule (rooms from $220), which has a 10th-floor swimming pool that juts out over the street.Book nowRead more: 11 best hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth for families, couples and girls’ weekends awayHoustonHouston has sprawl, but plenty of Southern charm, too (Getty Images)The vibe: Energy and Southern charm.Don’t miss: Space Center Houston, the size of two city blocks and home to over 400 space artifacts and interactive exhibits; Museum of Fine Arts Houston, which contains over 70,000 works spanning 6,000 years.Top neighbourhoods: Downtown for the signature sights; Montrose for restaurants.Top soccer bars: Pitch 25 Beer Park, The Phoenix on Westheimer and Hugh O'Connors Irish Pub.How to get around: The sprawl necessitates cars and rideshares.Where matches are played: NRG Stadium — just south of downtown Houston.Where to stay: Downtown or Montrose. Try Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District (rooms from $220).Book nowRead more: This luxury lakeside resort feels like a summer camp for adultsAtlantaAtlanta has plenty of attractions, with a World Cup stadium right in the downtown area (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The vibe: Lots of business energy — it’s a powerhouse economy — but welcoming, too.Don’t miss: The moving Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which contains Dr King's tomb, in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood where he grew up; the Atlanta Beltline – a 22-mile trail lined with art, bars and restaurants.Top neighbourhoods: Midtown for theaters and museums; Virginia-Highland for alfresco dining.Top soccer bars: Brewhouse Cafe, Fado Irish Pub Midtown Atlanta, and Midway Pub.How to get around: The Marta rail will help you reach some key areas, though rideshares are often more convenient.Where matches are played: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — right in downtown Atlanta.Where to stay: Midtown or Downtown. Try Hotel Clermont Atlanta (rooms from $180).Book nowRead more: US airport named the busiest in the world for the 27th time — here’s the secret to navigating itKansas CityKansas City has a zeal for sports and smoked meats (Getty Images)The vibe: Midwestern-nice, mixed with a devotion to sports, jazz and BBQ.Don’t miss: The National WWI Museum and Memorial for its powerful and thought-provoking exhibits; enjoying a plate of smoked meats at a flagship BBQ joint such as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que or Arthur Bryant's.Top neighborhoods: Crossroads Arts District for art galleries and breweries; Westport for nightlife.Top soccer bars: No Other Pub, Strange Days Brewing Co, and Johnny's Tavern Power & Light.How to get around: The streetcar for downtown, car or rideshares for bigger distances.Where matches are played: Arrowhead Stadium — about eight miles east of downtown Kansas City.Where to stay: Downtown. Try Hotel Kansas City (rooms from $180).Book nowRead more: Taylor Swift has put Kansas City on the map – but there’s so much more to MissouriMonterreyMonterrey’s skyline reafches up towards stunning mountain peaks (Getty Images)The vibe: Sleek and industrial with a striking mountainous backdrop.Don’t miss: The vast Fundidora Park in the grounds of a former steel and iron foundry; Macroplaza, the largest plaza in Mexico, filled with gardens and monuments.Top neighbourhoods: Barrio Antiguo for historic charm and vibrant nightlife; San Pedro for high-end shopping and upscale eating.Top soccer bars: Almacen 42, Beer Box Monterrey, and McCarthy's Irish Pub Monterrey.How to get around: Rideshares make the most sense.Where matches are played: Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe — just east of Monterrey, about five miles from the city center.Where to stay: San Pedro. Try Safi Royal Luxury Metropolitan (rooms from $140).Book nowRead more: Why Mexico’s culture-filled former capital should be your next getawayHybrid cities — explore by foot and transitSan FranciscoBeguiling San Francisco is historical, but still embraces the future (John - stock.adobe.com)The vibe: Historic, yet forward-thinking.Don’t miss: The Golden Gate Bridge, particularly epic when wrapped in fog; Alcatraz Island, the former prison — the audio tour is a must.Top neighbourhoods: Union Square for shopping and theater, plus cable car links; Mission District for standout eats and drinks.Top soccer bars: Kezar Pub, Danny Coyle's, and McTeague's Saloon.How to get around: Walkable (note, it’s famously hilly), with Bart rapid transit, buses and the Caltrain to chew up longer distances. The postcard-famous cable-car system connects Fisherman's Wharf to Powell and Market Streets.Where matches are played: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara — which is actually about 40 miles south of San Francisco, so plan accordingly. The Caltrain would be a sensible option.Where to stay: Union Square or the Mission District. Try Hotel Zephyr San Francisco (rooms from $220).Book nowRead more: 9 of San Francisco’s best hotels for LGBT+ travellersMiamiWynwood is one of Miami's most vibrant neighborhoods, akin to an open air art gallery (Getty Images)The vibe: Sun-soaked beach buzz, red-rope glitz, plus a heady sprinkling of Latin culture.Don’t miss: South Beach for its glorious runway of golden sand, classy bars and Art Deco Historic District; graffiti-smothered Wynwood — a giant open-air art gallery.Top neighbourhoods: To South Beach and Wynwood, add Coconut Grove with its dreamily overgrown, tropical vibe.Top soccer bars: American Social Brickell, The Auld Dubliner Miami, and Lost Boy & Company.How to get around: Rideshares are the way to go, with Metromover (which is free) and Metrorail useful extra options. Where matches are played: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens — about 15 miles north of Miami.Where to stay: South Beach or Brickell. Try The Betsy Hotel (rooms from $300).Book nowRead more: See Miami in a new light: Six neighborhoods that might just surprise you