When travellers talk about memorable trips, sparkling streets and fresh public spaces rarely top the list of priorities — yet new research suggests cleanliness strongly shapes how cities are experienced.
Luggage storage company Radical Storage has released a global ranking of the world’s cleanest and dirtiest cities based on traveller reviews written throughout 2025. The study analysed feedback linked to Euromonitor’s Top 100 Travel Cities, revealing both unexpected winners and some famous destinations struggling with hygiene perceptions.
Krakow in Poland leads the cleanliness league, followed closely by Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Warsaw, and Doha. The top 20 also includes Riyadh, Prague, Muscat, Dubai, Fukuoka, Abu Dhabi, Zurich, Edinburgh, Los Angeles, Lima, Cancun, Porto, Copenhagen, Taipei — and Valencia, which secures the final spot with 94.3% positive cleanliness reviews.
The findings suggest that visitors increasingly notice everyday urban details — from litter-free pavements to well-maintained public transport — when forming opinions about a destination. Historic European cities perform particularly well, with Krakow and Warsaw praised for their tidy streets and preserved public spaces, while Sharjah and Singapore stand out for strict cleanliness policies and high civic standards.
Valencia’s appearance among the world’s cleanest cities highlights Spain’s mixed showing in the rankings. The Mediterranean city’s waterfront promenades, parks, and well-kept historic centre have earned strong praise from travellers seeking relaxed yet orderly urban experiences.
However, Spain also features on the opposite end of the scale. Barcelona and Seville appear among the 20 dirtiest cities in the world according to traveller feedback — joining a list dominated by some of the planet’s most visited tourism hubs.
Budapest tops the list of destinations criticised most for poor cleanliness, followed by Rome, Las Vegas, Florence, and Paris. The ranking continues with Milan, Verona, Frankfurt, Brussels, Cairo, Heraklion, New York, Barcelona, Johor Bahru, Seville, San Francisco, Miami, Hyderabad, London, and Osaka.
Many of these cities attract millions of visitors each year, suggesting that high footfall, overcrowding, and pressure on public services may contribute to waste management challenges. Complaints frequently centre on overflowing bins, graffiti, lingering smells, and poorly maintained streets in busy tourist districts.
Urban experts often note that cleanliness plays a growing role in destination satisfaction, especially as travellers share experiences instantly online. A clean city can enhance perceptions of safety, comfort, and overall quality of life, while visible neglect can quickly undermine even world-famous attractions.
The contrast between cities like Krakow and Rome also reveals how investment in municipal services and public awareness campaigns can directly shape visitor impressions. Places that prioritise street maintenance, efficient rubbish collection, and community responsibility tend to score higher — regardless of size or tourism volume.
For travellers planning future trips, the ranking offers a fresh lens through which to consider destinations. While iconic landmarks still drive travel choices, the simple pleasure of strolling through spotless neighbourhoods, enjoying fresh-smelling public spaces, and feeling comfortable in shared environments increasingly matters.
As global tourism continues to rebound, city authorities may face growing pressure to address cleanliness as part of the visitor experience — not just for appearances, but for sustainability, health, and long-term appeal.
