Are These The Coolest Neighborhoods On The Planet?

Plenty of us want something different from our travels. While others want to learn about the history of a place, some want nothing more than a space where they can find like-minded people to share their thoughts and experience some of the most chilled-out spots on the planet.

Every year, Time Out looks to find the coolest spots around the world in a poll where thousands of people from across the globe come together to open up about their neighborhoods and why they should be at the top of the list. Are these the coolest neighborhoods on the planet? They just might be.

Brunswick East is Melbourne’s latest spot to be

Australia is already filled with some of the hippest spots, and now it also might be home to one of the coolest neighborhoods on the planet. Found in Melbourne is none other than Brunswick East, an area known for its up-and-coming restaurants, cozy bars, and live music venues. Having two tram lines makes it easy to travel to the neighborhood time and time again, but things have come a long way. While the area was once known for its thriving industrial past, that’s been left in the dust as the next generation of those looking for a good time have moved in.

Sheung Wan has seen the funeral world move over in favor of hipsters

Believe it or not, but there was a time when Sheung Wan in Hong Kong was best known for its funeral services and coffin stores. While the historic temples still stand, the dullness of the area has been replaced by dried seafood stalls, antique stores, and art galleries in all shapes and sizes. Of course, be prepared to see plenty of hipsters in the area, as pet cafes are becoming more and more popular, while the idea of replacing wet markets with affordable street food has taken the neighborhood by storm.

Havnen is called Copenhagen’s living room for a reason

Copenhagen is famous around the world for so many reasons, but what about a certain neighborhood nestled away in the capital of Denmark? That’s right; we’re talking about Havnen. There are plenty of reasons the neighborhood is often called the city’s living room, as this really is the palace where locals come to play. Water sports are one of the best ways to pass the time, with boats, pools, paddleboards, rafts, and kayaks just some of the many things you can expect to see on the water. With so many places to hang out with your friends - and a delicious bakery to keep you fed all day long - what are you waiting for?

Carabanchel is rapidly seeing a younger audience move into the area

There was a time when Carabanchel was a working-class area found just outside Madrid. The location might not have changed, but the atmosphere most certainly has in this Spanish neighborhood. While some locals have lived here for years, younger architects and neighbors are moving in and rapidly taking over. Tapas restaurants make up most of the dining scene, with plenty of delicious treats on the menu to keep you fed all night long, while the neighborhood’s green spaces have been given a makeover to make the most of the outdoor areas across the land. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Carabanchel without taking a look at some of the many art galleries or live music venues now dominating the neighborhood.

Smithfield, Dublin, shows how the old and new can work together perfectly

While plenty of the coolest neighborhoods on the planet are filled with up-and-coming scenes, Smithfield is a little different. This is an area of Dublin, Ireland, that refuses to budge - and people can’t get enough. Here, the world can learn a thing or two about when newer and older generations meet, with the historic pub, The Cobblestone, acting as the heart of it all. Although new spaces are starting to crop up, there’s seemingly no pushback to the change from locals. Instead, it’s all about embracing the new while still remembering the old, creating the perfect blend of everything you could need for the best of both worlds.

Laureles is home to the world-famous nightclub strip La 70

There is something about Laureles that really comes to life as soon as the sun goes down. The neighborhood is found in Medellín, Columbia, and is home to the famous La 70 - yes, that nightclub strip. Here, every bar and restaurant can quickly become a dance floor as soon as the right song starts to play. While you might be thinking that sounds a little hectic, there’s something so laidback about Laureles. After all, away from the strip are plenty of tree-lined streets, parks, coffee shops, and yoga studios to take you out of the hustle and bustle at the drop of a pin.

Are these the coolest neighborhoods on the planet? They certainly come in all shapes and sizes and offer just about everything you could need for a good time. There’s only one way to find out: where did we put our passports?