17. Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg is Europe’s third largest port after Rotterdam and Antwerp. Top sights to see include HafenCity, a modern urbanization project with the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the International Maritime Museum, along with the Elbe Tunnel connecting the left and right banks of the river.

Happiness: 14th

Historical Landmarks: 16th

Sports: 28th

Schools and Education: 23rd

Governmental Stability: 9th

Crime: 37th

Healthcare: 26th

Affordability: 35th

Food: 10th

Innovation: 13th

Pollution: 14th

Climate: 39th

Overall Average: 22

Happiness: According to the World Happiness Report, Germany scores in the highest category of happiness.

Historical Landmarks: Hamburg is home to one UNESCO World Heritage site—the Speicherstadt, a large group of port warehouses, and the adjacent Kontorhaus district.

Sports: Amsterdam is currently home to only one club in the Dutch league, which is in the top 7 of European leagues, but that club is the most successful in the history of the country, that being Ajax.

Schools and Education: Hamburg has one university in the top 500 worldwide—the University of Hamburg at 149.

Crime: In Hamburg, crime is moderate overall, but low in car theft, corruption and bribery.

Affordability: Hamburg has a cost of living index at 70.4, meaning it is on the more expensive side of European cities.

Food: 10 restaurants in Hamburg have at least 1 Michelin star, with 4 of those having 2 stars and 1 with 3 stars.

Pollution: A pollution index score of 28.75 means that Hamburg has low air pollution but moderate noise and light pollution.

Climate: Hamburg reaches the high 60s and low 70s (F) in summer months, while in the winter, it can be found in the upper 30s to low 40s in Fahrenheit.