'Cultural hotspot' Leith named as world's fourth coolest neighbourhood

Leith in Edinburgh has been ranked as the fourth coolest neighbourhood in the world.

The capital’s port district is the second highest placed area in Europe and ranked ahead of New York’s, London’s, Melbourne’s and Barcelona’s highest entry in TimeOut’s annual list.

Norrebro in Denmark’s Copenhagen topped the table with Andersonville in Chicago, USA, and Jongno 3-ga, in Seoul, South Korea in second and third.

The fourth annual league table of neighbourhoods throughout the globe describes Leith as “a cultural hotspot, home to big arts institutions and up-and-coming businesses alike”.

Before going on to describe the perfect day for tourists visiting the area and advice on how to plan their trip, it describes Leith as been given a “new lease of life”.

Saying “In recent years, several buildings have been given a new lease of life, including long-abandoned Leith Theatre and the nearby Biscuit Factory, which houses more than 30 creative businesses and its own performance space.

“The Leith Arches, meanwhile, is a two-tiered pub and events space on the old Caledonian Leith Line – complete with rotating food vendors, a programme of wellness events and the always-excellent Bross Bagels.”

This year’s top ranked neighbourhood in the Danish capital is described as a “diverse district where history meets ultramodern architecture on the northern side of Copenhagen’s lakes.

“In a city proudly known for its food and drink scene, Nørrebro has seen a flurry of new openings this year from bakeries to natural wine bars, all with a focus on local, seasonal (and often foraged) produce.

“The neighbourhood was host to the city’s Pride march this summer, when WorldPride came to Copenhagen – the most significant LGBTQ+ event in the world.

“In a year where community has been more important than ever, Nørrebro has no shortage of innovative initiatives including Nørrebrogade’s Car-Free Sunday where traffic is swapped for live music and flea markets, and Usynglige Stier (‘Invisible Paths’) an interactive art exhibition that brings fun and a splash of colour to the neighbourhood’s most vulnerable areas.”

TimeOut says the table represents the “cultural and culinary hotspots that are leading the way as we begin to emerge from the pandemic”.

Caroline McGinn, Time Out’s Global Editor-in-Chief, said: “Time Out’s annual list of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods is a love letter to the city at its most joyful and surprising.

“It celebrates the hyperlocal places where cities of the future are being made up, on the spot.

“In the last year, grassroots community culture has been vital to preserving the health and optimism of city-dwellers and the restaurants, bars, galleries and culture spots that make cities such a crucible of invention and social life.

“It’s inspiring to see how much energy there is in these areas, where communities have come together, hung out and made new stuff, as well as supported other businesses and each other. You’ve probably never heard of most of the neighbourhoods on the list but these are places where a ‘better normal’ is emerging. I can’t wait to visit.”

Read the full list at here.

1. Nørrebro, Copenhagen

2. Andersonville, Chicago

3. Jongno 3-ga, Seoul

4. Leith, Edinburgh

5. Station District, Vilnius

6. Chelsea, New York

7. XI District, Budapest

8. Ngor, Dakar

9. Sai Kung, Hong Kong

10. Richmond, Melbourne

11. Neukölln, Berlin