The world’s 10 coolest city neighbourhoods you should visit

Don’t miss: The street that best personifies Neukoelln is Sonnenallee, once cleaved in half by the Berlin Wall, now home to everything from halal kebab joints to West African diners to dive bars to cafes to classic German pubs.

Essentials: Singapore Airlines in codeshare with Lufthansa flies from Australian airports to Berlin, via Singapore. Neukoelln is accessible from central Berlin on bus and U-bahn lines. It’s a safe neighbourhood, though take care at night. And stay at Huettenpalast, a quirky hotel. See (huettenpalast.de). See visitberlin.de

Sant Antoni, Barcelona, Spain

The lowdown: Steer clear of the Gothic Quarter to avoid the tourist traps. Even hard-partying El Raval is gentrifying. Continue west in central Barcelona and you will hit Sant Antoni, a buzzing, friendly neighbourhood with no major attractions, but the best bar, restaurant and arts scene in the city. This area has a locals-only feel – you will want to move in immediately.

See + do: The recent revival of Sant Antoni has much to do with the revival of its central covered market, the 140-year-old Mercat de Sant Antoni, a cross-shaped gallery of fine food and knickknacks that forms a natural meeting place for many residents. Elsewhere, hang out on Calle del Parlament for the best cafes, bars, restaurants and fashion boutiques. “Vermouth hour”, when residents come out for a drink before lunch, is the highlight of every day.

Don’t miss: Check out Sant Antoni’s “superblock”, a section of four city blocks that has been almost entirely pedestrianised, with roads now filled with outdoor seating and bike paths. Calle del Parlament runs through it.

Essentials: Emirates flies from major Australian ports to Barcelona, via Dubai. Though there are few hotels in San Antoni itself, try Hotel Market Barcelona (hotelmarketbarcelona.com) for an affordable stay. See barcelonaturisme.com

Gakugei-Daigaku, Tokyo, Japan

The lowdown: A city the size of Tokyo is always bound to feature multiple neighbourhoods that escape the attention of most visitors and Gakugei-Daigaku is such a place. This serene suburb is only a few stops south-west of Shibuya and has become a hotbed of creative talent, with plenty of niche stores and restaurants.

See + do: Bring cash and credit cards because it’s time to go shopping. Browse art and design tomes at Book & Sons, more general offerings at Ruroudou Bookstore, collectable pottery at Yuyujin, and local craft beers at Craft Beer Shop Sanity. Leave time for a soak at Tiyo No Yu bathhouse and stroll gorgeous Himonya Park.

Don’t miss: The food scene in Gakugei-Daigaku is worth the visit alone. There are American-style snacks and coffee at Higuma Donuts, excellent ramen at Bigiya, sweets at Matterhorn and creative Italian cuisine at Osteria Bar Ri Carica.

Essentials: Qantas, ANA and JAL all fly direct from Australian ports to Tokyo. Gakugei-Daigaku is accessible on the Toyoko train line from Naka-Meguro and is safe to visit at all hours. There are no hotels, so it’s best to stay elsewhere, such as in Meguro or Shibuya. See japan.travel

Ridgewood, New York City, US

The lowdown: You’ve heard of Williamsburg, you’re au fait with the East Village, you’re down with the Upper East Side. But what about Ridgewood? This Queens neighbourhood is a genuine up-and-comer, with incredible diversity, classic shops and bars next to edgy newcomers, historic buildings next to new developments and a knack for reinvention.

See + do: Ridgewood is almost in Brooklyn – it borders party-town Bushwick, while Williamsburg isn’t far off – and the newer attractions here have a similar feel. We’re talking craft breweries (Evil Twin and Bridge and Tunnel are both great), sourdough pizza shops (Pizzeria Panina) and killer dive bars (Aunt Ginny’s). There are also myriad thrift stores and hiking and biking at Ridgewood Reservoir.

Don’t miss: Make the most of Ridgewood’s diversity with a tour of some of its niche eateries. There’s old-school German at Gottscheer Hall, Nepalese at Odaan, traditional Italian at Joe’s, Ukrainian at Varenyk House and even Bosnian at Bosna Express.

Essentials: Qantas flies to New York via Los Angeles from major Australian ports. To reach Ridgewood, take the M subway line from Brooklyn or Manhattan. This neighbourhood is generally safe, though take normal precautions. See visittheusa.com.au

Dalston, London

The lowdown: Cast a line from central London to the north-east and see what you hit. There’s Shoreditch, the home of hipster cool. Bethnal Green is there, diverse and interesting. Hackney is there, rapidly gentrifying. And then there’s Dalston, diverse, lively, affordable and enjoyable.

See + do: As with many neighbourhoods covered here, there are few traditional tourist attractions in Dalston – this area is more about the vibe, a place to walk, to drink, to shop, to soak up the atmosphere. Kingsland High Street is the main drag and is packed with pubs, bars, shops and cinemas, while multiple laneways running off it offer a more village-style feel. This area has a large Turkish population and the food on offer is delicious.

Don’t miss: Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is the London green space you’ve been looking for – that is, one without masses of tourists. This is a community-run space that hugs a former rail line, with a cafe and plenty of spots to sit down and enjoy the greenery.

Essentials: Emirates flies from all Australian ports to London, via Dubai. You can get to Dalston from central London on the overground train, via Shoreditch and Whitechapel. It’s a largely safe area, though take precautions at night. There are affordable rooms at Kingsland Locke (lockeliving.com). See visitbritain.org

Colonia Juarez, Mexico City

The lowdown: Juarez used to be cool. Or at least, it used to be expensive. This Mexico City neighbourhood was an aristocratic enclave in the 19th century, though its popularity waned in the early 1900s. It fell into disrepair before it began to draw a crowd of creatives and students who have helped revitalise it into the dynamic area it is today.

See + do: If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live the good life in Mexico City, Juarez is the place to experience it. Wander uber-cool fashion boutiques like Loose Blues and Amberes, visit art studios in a former mansion at General Prim, shop for handmade homewares at Querencia and dive into the Mexican wine scene at Amaya.

Don’t miss: Juarez has one of Mexico City’s most diverse food scenes: find Mexican-Jewish fusion cuisine at Niddo, Japanese classics at LB Dining, ramen at Diego Ramen Zona Rossa, and late-night tacos at Taqueria el Califa. And that’s merely scratching the surface.

Essentials: Delta, United and American Airlines fly from Australian ports to Mexico City, via Los Angeles. Juarez is accessible on the subway (Chapultepec, Sevilla and Cuauhtemoc stations). Take the same security precautions as you would in the rest of the city. And stay at the Four Seasons Hotel (fourseasons.com). See visitmexico.com

Phra Khanong, Bangkok

The lowdown: There aren’t many parts of Bangkok that could be described as “quiet”, but Phra Khanong, in the city’s south-east, comes close. This neighbourhood is quickly growing, as high-rise apartments spring up, but it retains its old-school charm. However if you’re looking for hipster bars and cafes that double as record stores, this is also your place.

See + do: There’s a thriving arts scene in Phra Khanong, exemplified by XSPACE, an expansive gallery featuring visual art, furniture design and architectural works. While you’re feeling arty, head to Track Addict Records for a coffee and a sift through the vinyl. At night there’s a buzzing bar scene here, particularly around Sukhumvit Road.

Don’t miss: If it’s classic Bangkok you’re after, visit Suk71 Plaza, a night market filled with stalls selling all manner of tasty foods. Grab all the dishes you want from the stalls – grilled meats are a specialty – pick up a cold beer or two, and then dine at the rooftop eating area.

Essentials: Qantas flies from Australian ports direct to Bangkok. Phra Khanong is on the Sukhumvit train line from central Bangkok. It’s generally safe, with affordable accommodation such as Marsi Hotel (marsihotel.com). See amazingthailand.com.au

Callao, Lima, Peru

The lowdown: Not so long ago you wouldn’t have gone anywhere near Callao. This port town, bordering Lima, has a reputation as being dangerous, though recent efforts to clean up parts of the city and open it to tourists have been hugely successful. This is a colourful area filled with passionate, proud people, and well worth a visit.

See + do: The main tourist-friendly area in Callao is La Punta, a finger of land filled with historic buildings and friendly streets. Food here is a big attraction: eat fried fish sandwiches at Don Giuseppe, classic ceviche at Ncanto, and bakery treats at Panarello. The Fortaleza del Real Felipe, an 18th-century fort, is also worth exploring.

Don’t miss: Make a booking to eat at Peru’s number-one “huarique” – a style of no-frills bistro – called El Colorao de Chucuito, run by one of Callao’s biggest characters, chef Andres Angeles Bachet. Prepare for true soul food, washed down with a lot of pisco.

Essentials: LATAM flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Lima, via Santiago. It’s best to visit Callao as a day trip from Lima, as the area can be dangerous at night. Use a local tour company such as Tangol Tours (tangol.com). See peru.travel

Woodstock, Cape Town

The lowdown: You know an area is on its way up when someone turns a disused industrial space into a hub for restaurants, bars and boutiques. That’s the Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town’s Woodstock, once a rundown factory area, now home to more cafes, breweries and art-strewn walls than surely any other.

See + do: Take a walking tour to check out the local street art – there are more than 100 works. For shoppers, Bromwell Boutique Mall is your spot for local fashion labels, while there’s plenty of vintage goods at Kingdom in the Woodstock Exchange, another popular hub for art, furniture and collectables, plus a couple of good coffee shops.

Don’t miss: Obviously the Old Biscuit Mill, a former – you guessed it – biscuit factory now home to studios for designers and other artists, plus the hugely popular Neighbourgoods Market every weekend, and permanent restaurants like the Pot Luck Club, run by star chef Luke Dale Roberts.

Essentials: Qantas flies from Sydney to Cape Town, via Johannesburg. Woodstock is 10 minutes from the city centre, accessible by taxi. It’s largely safe, though be aware of your surroundings and take extra care at night. For accommodation, try the Stock Exchange Apartment Hotel (perchstays.co.za). See southafrica.net

Deira, Dubai

The lowdown: Is Deira “cool”? No. Does it have a swag of trendy boutiques, hipster bars and edgy art galleries? Definitely not. However what Deira does have is history, heart and soul – not to mention some of the finest Middle Eastern food on the planet – so it seems only a matter of time before visitors catch on.

See + do: In truth, tourists have caught on, but only to a small part: Dubai’s gold souk, spice souk and Grand Souk can all be found down by the busy riverfront in Deira, where ferries cross to the Al Fahidi. The rest of the suburb is worth exploring though, particularly Burj Nahar, a watchtower built in 1870, and Al Ahmadiya, a former schoolhouse notable for its Emirati architecture.

Don’t miss: We mentioned food, so let’s dive in: along Al Rigga Road, and parallel Al Maktoum Road and Al Muraqqabat Road, you will find amazing, affordable restaurants serving the cuisines of Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and more. You will always eat well in Deira.

Essentials: Emirates flies direct to Dubai from major Australian ports. To get to Deira, just get off the plane – it’s the closest suburb to the airport, on the red and green metro lines. Deira is safe, with accommodation options such as the Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira (crowneplaza.com). See visitdubai.com

Five up-and-coming Australian neighbourhoods

Leederville, Perth, WA

This is the Perth suburb you will wish you lived in, a buzzy village-style area with plenty of diversity, including all the good food you could ever want, from cheap eats to solid cafes to high-end restaurants. There’s a weekly farmers’ market, a 1920s cinema and a heap of independent clothing stores and other boutiques. See westernaustralia.com

Burwood, Sydney, NSW

If you’re into food, you would already know of Burwood’s greatness. This is a major hub for food from all over Asia, with niche restaurants dedicated to the cuisines of Xian, Penang, Singapore, Taiwan and more. The Burwood Chinatown night markets offer hawker-style food every Thursday to Sunday night. See sydney.com

West End, Brisbane, Qld
Not so long ago West End was all pool halls and dive bars. These days it’s all trendy cafes and, well, dive bars. But the good kind. West End has been attracting an arty crowd for some time now thanks to the Saturday markets, the multiple craft breweries, the street art and the cocktail bars. See queensland.com

Aldgate, Adelaide, SA
Though Aldgate is up in the Adelaide Hills, about a half-hour drive from the CBD, there’s plenty to draw people to this formerly sleepy village. The friendly main street has high-end restaurants, local boutiques and B&Bs, and you have some of Australia’s best up-and-coming wineries on your doorstep. See southaustralia.com

Footscray, Melbourne, Vic
Forget Footscray’s old-school reputation as something of a no-go zone, these days the area is packed with interesting shops and arcades, plus a blend of down-home eateries doing everything from Ethiopian to Vietnamese cuisine and natural wine bars and craft breweries. All this and you’re a few stops from the CBD. See visitvic.com.au

Did we miss somewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments below.