Europe’s Best Cities 2025: Nottingham ranked as one of Europe's top 100 cities - see how it compares to others

Nottingham is one of the best cities in Europe to visit, work and live, according to a new study.

The city has been included in Resonance Consultancy’s list of the top 100 European cities for 2025.

A leading advisor in tourism, real estate and economic development, Resonance Consultancy has used 32 performance and perception metrics to produce its 2025 guide.

The 2025 guide is described by Resonance Consultancy as its most ambitious yet, powered by a new partnership with global research firm Ipsos that incorporates perception-based data for the first time.

The overall Europe’s Best Cities rankings are determined by analyzing this public perception, combined with a wide range of factors that have demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with attracting prime age population (age 25 – 44), visitor expenditure, and/or business formation.

London topped the guide for the rankings for the third consecutive year, followed by Paris, Berlin and Barcelona.

Nottingham’s position in the Europe’s Best Cities 2025 rankings

Nottingham came in at 97th place, between the Croatian capital of Zagreb and French city of Rennes.

The guide says: “The birthplace of the Robin Hood legend has emerged as one of the U.K.’s small cities to watch.

“Long dogged by clichés of “men in tights and men in fights,” Nottingham has spent the past decade rewriting its story—and in 2025, the city feels more like a headline act than a punchline.

“A major turning point came with the £33-million restoration of Nottingham Castle, completed in 2021 and now a national destination.

“With new interactive galleries and an upgraded visitor centre, the historic site now regularly hosts immersive medieval events and draws families from across the country. That momentum continues throughout the city.

“In 2025, planning is advancing for the Broad Marsh regeneration—one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre redevelopments.

“The 20-acre site will be transformed into a green, car-free district with over 1,000 homes, offices and a new entrance to the city’s cave network, reimagining the heart of Nottingham for the next generation.

“The city’s tram network— already one of the longest in the UK outside of London—spans 32 kilometres and continues to knit together districts like Hockley, a former lace industry hub now reborn as Nottingham’s creative quarter.

“With vibrant nightlife (#31 in Europe), a fast-growing tech economy and a student population anchored by two Top 25 universities, Nottingham is writing its next chapter.”