READ MORE: The world's best cities for solo travel - as Manchester is named the UK's top-ranked destination See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER Published: 15:09 BST, 15 June 2026 | Updated: 15:10 BST, 15 June 2026
The best city centres around the world have been voted for and revealed - but many are inaccessible to Brits, due to the ongoing Middle East war and Foreign Office advice.A new study asked more than 35,000 urban residents worldwide to share their thoughts on the best CBDs - central business districts. City Pulse 2026: The Downtown Report surveyed residents across 75 cities and 30 countries to find the best in the world.However, when ranked by how 'vibrant' they are, some of the top spots stick out as current no-go zones for Brits travelling.At the top of the table, with a 91 per cent score, is Dubai - known for its futuristic city centre of high-rise hotels, malls and restaurants. The main CBD zones in Dubai are Business Bay, Dubai International Financial Centre and the Jebel Ali Free Zone.However, Dubai continues to be largely off the tourist map while tensions in the Gulf region remain high.The FCDO says: 'FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.' Dubai has been ranked as one of the best city centres in the world - but is hardly high on tourists' priority lists as of lateMeanwhile, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Ho Chi Minh have the same score, 91 per cent.And while the Vietnamese city is popular and reachable right now, the Saudi Arabian destination is also off-limits.The GOV.UK website says: 'FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Riyadh Province.'It adds: 'Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.'Iranian strikes against civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports, have decreased. 'However, the risk of renewed strikes remains, and further attacks could occur at short notice. You should not approach any debris or sites that have been impacted.'Also among the top 10 cities rated for their vibrancy are Lagos, Beijing, Cairo, Bangalore, Shanghai and Miami.Also among the list is Abu Dhabi - again under travel restrictions due to the ongoing Iran war. Similarly, while Abu Dhabi's CBD is vibrant and attractive, Brits can't easily travel there The best CBDs in the world NORTH AMERICAAtlantaBaltimore BostonCharlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis Nashville New YorkNewarkPhiladelphia PhoenixPittsburghPortlandRaleighSalt Lake City San Antonio San Diego San FranciscoSan Jose US Seattle St. Louis Tampa TorontoVancouverWashington DCAustin AFRICA Johannesburg Lagos Nairobi SOUTH AMERICABogotáGuadalajaraMexico CityMonterreyRio de JaneiroSan José, CRSão PauloEUROPEAmsterdamAthensBarcelona Berlin Birmingham London Madrid Munich Paris Stockholm MIDDLE EAST Abu Dhabi CairoDubaiIstanbul Riyadh ASIA PACIFIC Bangalore Bangkok BeijingDelhi Ho Chi Minh Hong Kong Manila Mumbai Source: City Pulse 2026: The Downtown Report When it comes to tourism, the United Arab Emirates is the most heavily impacted by the Iran-US-Israel war.Dubai had been hoping to welcome a record 20 million visitors this year - surpassing last year's 19.59 million tourists - but is now said to be losing as much as £450 million-a-day due to hotel closures and lost business.Gulf carrier Emirates is offering insurance to convince tourists to fly into or through the hub, in an attempt to lure travellers back.The carrier's president Tim Clark announced that the airline will guarantee that passengers get home - even booking them on rival carriers if necessary - to alleviate fears of travellers being stranded by escalating conflict.Emirates is currently negotiating with insurance companies to make this a 'reasonably priced' add-on for ticket holders.
