Is Govanhill in Glasgow one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world?

Where do you think the coolest area to live in Glasgow is?

You may initially think of the West End, home to the Botanic Gardens, multiple pubs and restaurants, and linked to the city centre via the Clockwork Orange.

Or maybe Finnieston, the long stretch of road peppered with bars and coffee shops, with Kelvingrove Park on its doorstep.

Even Shawlands, part of Glasgow’s thriving Southside, is full of popular bakeries, queued-out brunch spots and high-end bars mixing up cocktails.

But according to Time Out, Govanhill has risen above the rest to become the coolest neighbourhood in the city – and one of the top five in the world.

Each year, Time Out editors choose the neighbourhoods across the world they believe are home to unique businesses, great food and drink and a thriving sense of community.

But why has this area in the south of the city become so popular?

Time Out concedes that while Govanhill may once have been known as Shawlands ‘rougher little sibling’, it is now a thriving community hub thanks in part to low rent prices enticing artists and creatives to the area.

As a result, there are a plethora of exciting new businesses popping up in the area, from Glasgow Zine Library to queer bookshop Category is Books, coffee shops and bakeries such as Juju Baked Goods and Short Long Black, and popular pubs The Bell Jar and The Rose Reilly, the latter of which was namechecked by Time Out as one of Britain’s best boozers.

On sunny days, nearby Queen’s Park is a hive of activity, with picnic blankets strewn on the grass, makeshift cricket pitches erected and tennis courts booked out. The green space is also home to music festivals such as Southside Weekender, the enticing summer programme of events at Queen’s Park Arena and Summer Nights on the Southside, bringing big-name acts such as McFly and the Scissor Sisters to the area.

Govanhill is also one of the most diverse areas in Glasgow, and the main thoroughfare of Victoria Road is home to a plethora of businesses owned by immigrants, bringing a taste of Pakistan, India and Italy to the city.

Time Out contributing writer Annie McNamee said the area is enticing Gen Z away from popular, more central spots in favour of Govanhill’s quirky edginess.

Which top five neighbourhoods have Time Out named as the coolest in 2026?

Jongno 3-ga, Seoul
L’Ocean District, Rabat
Neos Kosmos, Athens
Chinatown, Los Angeles
Govanhill, Glasgow

The 40-strong list also features two other UK neighbours, with Cathedral Quarter in Belfast coming in at number 24 and Newington Green in London reaching number 33.