It may not have round-the-clock rooftop bars and chaotic all-night raves, but what Sydney lacks in 3am clubs, it makes up for in glittering views and a stunning after-dark skyline. And now, according to a new global ranking, Sydney has officially earned a spot among the world’s prettiest cities after dark. The Harbour City landed at number 7 on the list, just behind nightlife heavyweights like Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore, and somewhat controversially (read: smugly) a few spots ahead of Melbourne at number 10. The study makes the case that as gorgeous as Sydney is during the day with sun-drenched coastal walks, turquoise beaches, and iconic landmarks, it’s just as dazzling when the sun goes down and the harbour lights flicker on.
Sydney ranked among the world’s prettiest cities after dark
The ranking, compiled by the team at Travelbag, analysed a mix of data points — from Instagram hashtags to noise and light levels, venues open late at night, and how safe each city feels after dark. For Sydney, the numbers stacked up as follows: over 13,000 posts tagged #sydneyatnight, a light pollution score of 40.19, 325 venues open late, and a nighttime safety rating of 53.8.
Meanwhile, Melbourne had an Instagram hashtag volume of 14,400, a noise and light pollution score of 40.06, and a nighttime safety score of 43.10 out of 100.
Top 10 cities in the world:
- New York City, USA
- Tokyo, Japan
- Dubai, UAE
- Singapore, Singapore
- Muscat, Oman
- Kyoto, Japan
- Sydney, Australia
- Seoul, South Korea
- Toronto, Canada
- Melbourne, Australia
Read more about the methodology and find the full list here.