Montreal and Victoria Earned Global Travel Accolades

The two Canadian cities secured top rankings in the 39th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Canada

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Montreal and Victoria were named among the world's best cities in the 39th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

In the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, Montreal ranked sixth on the list of the world's best big cities. Meanwhile, Victoria received the title of the best small city in the world.

Why it matters

These rankings reflect the consensus of nearly 800,000 travelers who participated in the voting process. The recognition highlights the international appeal of these Canadian urban destinations among global tourists.

The awards, now in their 39th annual edition, were determined by nearly 800,000 participants. Montreal secured the sixth position among global big cities, while Victoria claimed the top spot for small cities.

The players

Condé Nast Traveler

This is a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine that publishes annual rankings of global cities based on reader feedback.

The details

The rankings were compiled based on votes from nearly 800,000 travelers globally. Seoul earned the distinction of best big city in the world, while the two Canadian locations outperformed many international competitors.

Timeline

  1. The 2026 Readers' Choice Awards marked the 39th annual edition of this survey.

Travel Outlook

These rankings are defined by the 39th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, which set a benchmark for global tourism sentiment. The inclusion of Montreal and Victoria follows a broader pattern of Canadian cities achieving consistent status in international surveys.

Travelers should note that these high rankings often correlate with increased tourism demand, suggesting that visitors may want to book accommodations well in advance to secure availability. Understanding these results can help tourists identify top-rated urban experiences when planning their international itineraries.

The takeaway

Travelers seeking premier city experiences can use these reader-voted rankings as a reliable guide for high-quality destinations. When planning trips to award-winning cities like Montreal or Victoria, visitors should prepare for potential peak-season crowds.

Further reading

Explore more travel insights on our Canada section.