City guide
Seoul
Neon side streets, hanok courtyards and the world’s best late-night food.
Best for: Design loversWhen to go: Apr–May, Sep–OctGuide by: Mina Cho
Design & architecture
- Dongdaemun Design PlazaZaha Hadid’s silver landmark — go at dusk.
- Bukchon hanok villageTraditional courtyard houses, best before 9am.
Food & drink
- Gwangjang MarketMung-bean pancakes and knife-cut noodles.
- Euljiro back alleysHidden bars above old printing shops.
Art & culture
- Leeum MuseumKorean ceramics beside contemporary work.
- Mullae arts villageStudios inside working metal shops.
Shops & makers
- Seongsu-dongConcept stores in former shoe factories.
- Ikseon-dongTiny boutiques in a hanok maze.
City guide
Mexico City
Colour, modernism and some of the most exciting kitchens anywhere.
Best for: Food loversWhen to go: Oct–AprGuide by: Ana Ruiz
Design & architecture
- Casa Luis BarragánPink walls and perfect light — book ahead.
- Biblioteca VasconcelosA floating library of steel shelves.
Food & drink
- Mercado de CoyoacánTostadas piled high at the back stalls.
- Roma Norte cafésThird-wave coffee in Art Deco shopfronts.
Art & culture
- Museo TamayoModern art in a brutalist park pavilion.
- KurimanzuttoThe gallery that put the city on the map.
Shops & makers
- La CiudadelaTextiles and ceramics from every region.
- Colonia JuárezIndependent designers and bookshops.
City guide
Copenhagen
Bikes, harbour baths and design you can sit on.
Best for: Slow travellersWhen to go: May–SepGuide by: Jonas Weber
Design & architecture
- Superkilen parkA playful public space built from 60 countries.
- Royal Library “Black Diamond”Glass and granite on the harbour.
Food & drink
- Reffen street foodContainers of global cooking by the water.
- Nørrebro bakeriesCardamom buns worth the queue.
Art & culture
- Louisiana MuseumArt, sculpture park and sea view, 35 min north.
- Kunsthal CharlottenborgBig contemporary shows in a palace.
Shops & makers
- VærnedamsvejA short street of food and homeware shops.
- JægersborggadeCeramicists, jewellers and coffee.
City guide
Lagos
A city of hustle, highlife and boundless creative energy.
Best for: Music loversWhen to go: Nov–FebGuide by: Tobi Adeyemi
Design & architecture
- Lekki–Ikoyi Link BridgeBest skyline views at sunset.
- Freedom ParkA former prison turned arts space.
Food & drink
- Yaba suya spotsSmoky skewers, late into the night.
- Victoria Island loungesRooftops with Afrobeats on loop.
Art & culture
- Nike Art GalleryFive floors of Nigerian art.
- New Afrika ShrineLive music in Fela’s legacy venue.
Shops & makers
- Lekki Arts & Crafts MarketCarvings, beads and textiles.
- AlaraConcept store for African design.
City guide
Dubai
Desert modernism, old souks and a fast-growing art scene.
Best for: Art loversWhen to go: Nov–MarGuide by: Priya Nair
Design & architecture
- Al Fahidi districtWind-tower houses and quiet lanes.
- Museum of the FutureA ring of steel and calligraphy.
Food & drink
- Al Karama canteensSome of the city’s best-value dinners.
- Deira fish marketPick your catch, have it grilled next door.
Art & culture
- Alserkal AvenueWarehouses turned galleries and studios.
- Jameel Arts CentreContemporary art on the creek.
Shops & makers
- Gold & spice souksCross the creek by abra for a dirham.
- d3 Design DistrictLocal labels and furniture studios.
Take them with you
Five cities in your pocket.
Every guide in print, cloth-bound in a slipcase — with fold-out maps.