Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Victoria ranked among world’s coziest cities and takes top spot in Canada

Share

Victoria has officially been crowned Canada’s coziest city and one of the top 10 coziest cities in the world by a UK-based travel insurance company.

The report, released this week by AllClear, looked at major cities around the globe to find the ultimate snug destinations for autumn and winter getaways.

Researchers examined everything from the number of cafes, bookstores, and museums per square mile to annual rainfall and Instagram posts using the word “cozy.”

After crunching the numbers, Victoria ranked 8th in the world and first in Canada, earning an impressive coziness score of 55.27 out of 100.

AllClear described Victoria as the perfect spot for an autumnal visit, with its historic architecture, intimate cafes, independent bookstores, and easy access to nature.


See also: 6 ways to embrace autumn in and around Victoria this season


From curling up with a book at one of the city’s tucked-away coffee shops to strolling through its leafy neighbourhoods, Victoria checked nearly every box for seasonal comfort.

Neighbouring Vancouver also earned a place on the global list, ranking 11th overall and second in Canada.

On the world stage, Brussels took first place as the coziest city, followed by Paris and Geneva. Other notable mentions included Copenhagen, Lisbon, and Barcelona, as well as Bath and Dublin, both known for their welcoming pubs and warm atmospheres.

“It’s fantastic to see so many locations in our rankings that offer the perfect getaway for anyone who might want to stay that bit cozier during their trips,” said Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at AllClear.

So if you needed another reason to appreciate Victoria’s cafe culture, rainy-day charm, and candlelit comfort, it’s now officially one of the coziest cities on the planet to spend your fall.

Here’s the full list:

Rank City Country Cozy Score
1 Brussels Belgium 76.33
2 Paris France 69.77
3 Geneva Switzerland 63.74
4 Copenhagen Denmark 59.63
5 Lisbon Portugal 58.77
6 Barcelona Spain 57.40
7 Athens Greece 56.90
8 Victoria Canada 55.27
9 Bath United Kingdom 52.11
10 Dublin Ireland 50.96
11 Vancouver Canada 50.18
12 San Francisco United States 48.43
13 Boston United States 48.20
14 Florence Italy 48.17
15 Zurich Switzerland 47.63
16 Amsterdam Netherlands 45.83
17 Chicago United States 45.59
18 Salzburg Austria 45.03
19 Seoul South Korea 44.90
20 New York City United States 44.53

 

Mike Kelly
Mike Kelly
Founder of Victoria Buzz, Vancouver Island's fastest-growing local media outlet. Father of three girls who are dedicated Victoria Royals fans. Let's talk hockey!
Advertising Partners

Read more

Latest Stories