Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice: Top 10 cultural and food destinations for 2023

Whether you’re planning a globetrotting jaunt or armchair traveling it, Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice awards are always a fun browse. The awards, which are based on reviews written by Tripadviser users, acknowledge the most popular or trending cities or countries — as we mentioned last week — but they also give a nod to other types of vacation destinations. You know, the ones chosen by foodies, culture vultures and lovers of all things outdoors. Which is to say, us. You, too?

So let’s dive into those categories, starting with the 25 best cultural destinations, the ones that offer a palpable sense of history, stunning art and more. It’s a list topped by Morocco’s 2,800-year-old walled-city of Fes, which is known for its twisting, mazelike streets and grand tiled gates. It’s also home to the University of Al-Karaouine, which was founded by a woman, Fatima al-Fihri, in 859. (Oxford is a youngster by comparison.)

Food lovers won’t be surprised to see Rome at the top of that global list, with Hanoi, Paris and Barcelona scoring deliciously high, too. You’ll have to toggle over to the U.S. version of the foodie list to get any California contenders, but there, San Diego took the No. 6 spot and San Francisco is at No. 9.

Here’s just a peek at the top 10 for each category. Find the full list and more details at www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice.

Top 10 places for culture

1 Fes, Morocco

2 Jerusalem, Israel

3 Athens,  Greece

4 Dublin, Ireland

5 Jaipur, India

6 Cuba

7 Budapest, Hungary

8 Berlin, Germany

9 Seville, Spain

10 Colombo, Sri Lanka

Top 10 food destinations

1 Rome, Italy

2 Crete, Italy

3 Hanoi, Vietnam