CNN
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One of the highlights of a vacation is discovering the side of the city that’s more popular with locals than tourists.
It could be the off-the-beaten-track cafe with amazing coffee, the underground bar that’s hidden from view, or the restaurant serving delicious local dishes you’ve never heard of.
To help you uncover more hidden gems on your next city break, Time Out has released its annual list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods.
Topping the 2022 list is Colonia Americana, located in Guadalajara, Mexico. Time Out describes Colonia Americana as a vibrant neighborhood with historic Art Deco mansions and music venues housed in warehouses.
Time Out Travel Editor James Manning said, “Guadalajara is just emerging as a must-visit – and Colonia Americana is the place to be right now. It’s home to a boundary-pushing creative community, a growing number of amazing places to eat, and some of the best nightlife in the western hemisphere. And the street life is unbeatable.”
Time Out’s list is based on an extensive survey of thousands of people worldwide and input from Time Out editors to create the ultimate guide highlighting 51 of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. The top 20 are described as incredible places to be right now.
In second place is Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, Portugal. Known for its vibrant nightlife, the neighborhood is now being recognized as a foodie hotspot with exciting new restaurants like Quiosque de São Paul and Tricky’s.
Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap, Cambodia takes third place. The area around Wat Bo Pagoda has experienced significant growth in the past year, with notable highlights including boutique hotels Viroth’s and Treeline Urban Resort, as well as Tevy’s Place, a restaurant that serves delicious organic meals and empowers local women as a social enterprise.
The highest-ranking American neighborhood is Ridgewood in New York City, coming in at number four on the list. It offers a mix of trendy bars and restaurants, as well as long-standing institutions like Rudy’s Bakery, which has been open since 1934.
Rounding out the top five is Mile End in Montreal, Canada. Described as a walkable neighborhood, it’s home to some of the city’s best restaurants, independent bookstores, flower shops, butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers.
Time Out’s chief content officer for North America & UK, Dave Calhoun, said the goal of the annual list is to showcase neighborhoods that aren’t homogenized and corporate, but instead have an independent and welcoming vibe. These neighborhoods offer enough experiences to keep you exploring for days, even though you can walk across them in half an hour or less.
The top ten coolest neighborhoods for 2022, according to Time Out, are:
1. Colonia Americana – Guadalajara, Mexico
2. Cais do Sodré – Lisbon, Portugal
3. Wat Bo Village – Siem Reap, Cambodia
4. Ridgewood – New York City, USA
5. Mile End – Montreal, Canada
6. Barrio Logan – San Diego, USA
7. Shimokitazawa – Tokyo, Japan
8. Cliftonville – Margate, UK
9. Barrio Yungay – Santiago, Chile
10. Cours Julien – Marseille, France
