Alexandria Secured Second Spot on Travel Ranking

The city earned the runner-up position on the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Best Small Cities list.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Travel — General

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic brick colonial townhouse facade, evoking the charm of a top-rated small city destination. — Alexandria secured the second spot on the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Best Small Cities list, marking another high-ranking finish for the historic city. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Alexandria placed second on the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Best Small Cities list, continuing a streak of top-five finishes since 2018. More than 757,000 readers participated in the voting process for the annual Readers' Choice Awards.

Why it matters

High-profile rankings influence visitor travel decisions and support the local strategy of growing tourism-related tax revenues. Increased interest in the city helps bolster local fiscal performance as officials work to sustain growth in the hospitality sector.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, Alexandria generated $92 million in consumption tax revenue. During the same period, hotel revenue per available room reached $119, reflecting a 3% year-over-year improvement.

The players

Alexandria

This city is an independent municipality in Virginia known for its historic Old Town district and waterfront access.

Charleston

This South Carolina city consistently earns high rankings in travel publications for its historic architecture and culinary scene.

Visit Alexandria

This organization serves as the official tourism marketing entity responsible for promoting the city to national and international visitors.

Condé Nast Traveler

This international luxury travel magazine publishes annual lists and rankings based on reader surveys and editorial analysis.

The details

Visit Alexandria submits the city annually for consideration in these travel rankings to boost visibility. Charleston took the top spot on the 2026 list, while Alexandria improved from its third-place finish in 2025.

The small cities ranking category was created in 2018.
A 9.9% hotel revenue decline period ended in January 2026.
The city fiscal year concluded on June 30, 2026.
Visit Alexandria conducted its annual meeting in September 2026.
The award results were officially announced on October 6, 2026.

Travel Outlook

Alexandria has maintained a top-five position on the list every year since the 2018 creation of the Condé Nast Traveler Best Small Cities category. This consistent ranking reflects the city's ongoing status as a destination for travelers seeking small-scale urban experiences.

Visitors to Alexandria should anticipate potential increases in demand for local accommodations following the city's high ranking. Travelers can leverage the city's consistent placement to gauge high-quality service and amenity standards in the area.

The takeaway

Maintaining a high ranking on major travel lists provides a measurable competitive advantage for attracting new visitors. Residents and business owners often see this translate into higher sustained demand for hospitality and retail services throughout the year.