Zurich ranked fifth in Europe’s Best Cities 2023

Zurich has again claimed one of the top spots in a new city ranking: Resonance Consultancy, a global consultancy firm for tourism, real estate and economic development, has awarded Zurich 5th place in its first rankings entitled Europe’s Best Cities 2023. London, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona occupy the first four positions.

Zurich is “exactly the kind of place you’d want to call home: efficient, clean, educated and safe”, the report explains. The city is ranked in second place for Europe behind Bern in the sub-category of disposable income, while it is also in the top three behind Paris and London for Fortune Global 500 companies.

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), described as a “vital and reliable pipeline for the city and nation’s envied economic development” is ranked only behind Oxford University and Imperial College London. The next generation of entrepreneurs have set up shop in west-end areas such as District 4 and 5.  These are increasingly being developed into cultural destinations. But it is really during the summer months that the city truly comes into its own, when Zurich invites people to take a stroll along the river or head down to the lake: “The coveted good life doesn’t get more visceral than during these sweet moments”, the report states.

Basel is ranked in 9th place, with the report highlighting aspects such as Art Basel, the city’s life science cluster, the best cycling infrastructure on the continent, high-quality old and modern architecture and first-class restaurants. Ultimately, it reaches the conclusion that “few cities with just over half a million people leave you as breathless as Basel”.

Geneva, ranked in 10th place, is described as a “globally vital city in a snow globe”. Bern follows in 18th place, with Lausanne in 24th position. Resonance Consultancy describes these rankings as “the most comprehensive city rankings on the planet, based on an original methodology that analyses key statistics as well as user-generated evaluations, social media and online activities”. mm