Zurich topped a ranking of 148 cities based on residents’ perceptions of technology, infrastructure, quality of life, sustainability, and inclusiveness.
What makes a city truly smart isn’t just cutting-edge technology. A smart city also improves its residents’ daily lives, using innovation to tackle familiar problems, from traffic and housing to public transportation and sustainability. For travelers, the result can be just as noticeable: A city that works well for its residents often becomes easier, more enjoyable, and more interesting to explore.
Each year, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Smart City Index releases a ranking of the world’s smartest cities, and for 2026, Zurich, Switzerland has held onto the title for the seventh consecutive year. IMD assessed 148 cities worldwide, factoring in economic and technological infrastructure, quality of life, the environment, and inclusiveness. The rankings are based almost entirely on survey responses, offering a look into how residents perceive the cities where they live. In the report, Zurich was the only city to receive the AAA overall Smart City Rating.
Oslo came in second on the list, followed by Geneva, London, Copenhagen, and Dubai. Another Swiss city, Lausanne, came in seventh. The 2026 rankings also brought some surprises: Washington, D.C., jumped 23 places to 39th, while AlUla, Sauda Arabia, rose 27 spots to No. 85th. Boston is the highest-ranking U.S. city at No. 35.
Despite Zurich’s high marks from residents, the survey also revealed a few areas where the city could improve. Affordable housing was identified as the city’s top priority by 82 percent of respondents, while 60 percent cited road congestion and 47 percent cited unemployment. Those issues reflect a broader global trend, as affordable housing emerged as the most urgent priority among residents across the 148 cities surveyed, followed by road congestion and security.
Even with those challenges, Zurich continues to offer much for locals and visitors alike to love. In the Altstadt, or Old Town, walk narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval churches, including Grossmünster and Fraumünster and then explore historic guild houses along the Limmat River. At Bürkliplatz, board a boat for a scenic cruise across Lake Zurich with views of the city from the water. Art lovers can visit the Kunsthaus Zürich, home to works by Alberto Giacometti, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso. And of course there are countless spots to try Swiss chocolates and fondue.
To learn more about the rankings and access the full report, visit IMD’s website.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Taryn White
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: Travel + Leisure, 25.08.2026
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