For those of us who live here, and for those who visit and truly feel the city’s unique pulse, this news doesn’t come as a surprise, but the secret is finally out.
Buenos Aires has just been officially crowned the “Most Desirable City” (Gold Winner) in the entire world in the 24th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025. This isn’t just any award. It’s a massive international recognition voted on by 208,000 readers of the prestigious UK magazine Wanderlust.
This is the first time our city has ever reached the #1 spot, climbing 6 positions from last year to take the gold.
So, why visit Buenos Aires now? What tipped the scales and made it the Best City in the World to Visit 2025? According to the voters and organizers, it wasn’t just the usual tourist clichés. They specifically highlighted the city’s vibrant creative energy, our world-class gastronomy, the warmth of the people, and, of course, the authentic tango in Buenos Aires.
What the World is Finally Seeing: More Than Just Steakhouses
For years, travelers have come to Buenos Aires for its famous steak and Malbec. But this award proves that the world is finally seeing what we locals have always known: the true soul of the city lies in its authentic and warm culture.
The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025 didn’t just praise the usual tourist traps. The 208,000 voters and the magazine’s editors specifically highlighted the city’s real identity:
- The Creative Energy: They celebrated the vibrant creative scene and the unique energy of the neighborhoods
- The Gastronomy: The award recognized the gastronomic side of the city, specifically mentioning how young chefs are redefining Argentine cuisine.
- The People: A key factor was the hospitality and warmth of its citizens.
- The Tango: authentic tango in Buenos Aires is a massive draw.
The world is no longer looking for a simple vacation; it’s looking for connection and authenticity, and Buenos Aires just proved it has the most desirable culture in the world.
“In the Most Desirable City (World) category, Buenos Aires took the coveted Gold award for the first time. The win marks a significant moment for the Argentine capital, celebrated for its music, café culture and resurgent creative scene.”
Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025
A City You Can Measure in Culture
This award wasn’t just about “vibes”. The voters and organizers were also impressed by the staggering, tangible proof of the city’s cultural depth. Buenos Aires isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a city that lives and breathes creativity, and the numbers are almost hard to believe:
- 287 theaters
- 380 bookstores (We are the world capital of bookstores for a reason)
- 150 museums
- Over 7,000 gastronomic venues
Again, travelers are no longer just looking for a nice picture but for depth and real cultural immersion. This is the proof that Buenos Aires has it in spades.
Finding the Authentic Soul of the “Most Desirable City”
So, why visit Buenos Aires? What truly makes this city unique, vibrant, and deep?
Among other things, i would say it’s the tango. Not just the dance, but the music and the mood that are woven into the daily performance of the city itself.
But the tango that makes Buenos Aires the “Most Desirable City” isn’t the one you see in massive, extravagant spectacles. It’s the tango that reflects its original, raw nostalgia and intimacy. It’s the purest form of our culture, born in the conventillos (tenements) from a chaotic, beautiful mix of cultures. Just like us locals, our tango is a culture that is constantly reinventing itself, day by day, without ever losing its roots. It’s passionate and warm, but also raw and tough. It knows when to surrender and when to set the pace. It improvises on the fly; it takes risks. It steps firmly and commands attention, but always with charm. It embraces you, makes you feel close. It clings to its melancholy, yet it never loses its spark, nor does it ever bow its head.
This is the exact philosophy behind Secreto Tango Society. We believe, or would like to believe, the 208,000 Wanderlust voters didn’t fall in love with a flashy tourist show; they fell in love with the idea of this authentic, intimate tango.
We strip away the spectacle to focus on the soul. We present an emotive, real, and captivating experience featuring world-class musicians and dancers. This is the authentic, desirable argentine culture that the world is finally recognizing.
Don’t just visit the Buenos Aires Most Desirable City, come and discover why it won.
The Final Ranking: Who We Beat
To understand the scale of this achievement, you just have to look at the cities Buenos Aires surpassed to earn the Gold.
The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2025 are a globally respected benchmark, and the competition was intense. The final top 10 “Most Desirable City (World)” ranking, as voted by those 208,000 readers, was:
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (Gold)
- Tokyo, Japan (Silver)
- Sydney, Australia (Bronze)
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Vancouver, Canada
- Singapore
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Quito, Ecuador
- Hong Kong
Climbing 6 spots to take the lead over cities like Tokyo, Sydney, and Cape Town proves that the world’s travelers are looking for exactly the kind of authentic, creative, and passionate culture our city delivers.
Our City, Your Story
This triumph marks a milestone for Argentina and we are incredibly proud of our city and the authentic culture that earned this global recognition.
Now that the secret is out, you’re probably planning your trip to the world’s “Most Desirable City.” So… if you’re wondering what to do in Buenos Aires to find its authentic heart, we’ve put together the ultimate local guide right here.
And if you’re ready to experience the authentic, intimate, and passionate tango in Buenos Aires that helped our city win the world’s heart… Book your night at Secreto Tango Society!
