London, Paris and Berlin have consistently retained their position. But what makes them so special?
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London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen and Oslo are the five European cities in the top 10 of the world's most dynamic and liveable cities, according to the IESE Cities in Motion (CIMI) index.
The 2025 CIMI ranking assessed 183 cities across 92 countries based on nine key criteria: human capital, social cohesion, economy, governance, environment, mobility and transportation, urban planning, international profile and technology.
For the third year in a row, London continues to lead its regional and global position in the ranking, standing out in areas such as human capital, governance, urban planning and international profile.
The UK capital stands out because of its internationally renowned universities and a rich array of cultural institutions, institutional stability, high-quality public transit systems and strong commitment to sustainable mobility, including shared bicycles and e-scooters.
However, it faces challenges in terms of social cohesion and the environment.
Edinburgh and Glasgow outperform London in their commitment to cultural and social inclusion.
Meanwhile, Paris retains second place in Western Europe and third place in global rankings, scoring the best on its international influence, strong human capital and effective urban planning.
However, areas such as environmental sustainability and social cohesion offer opportunities for improvement.
Berlin retains the positions held in the previous edition: third in Western Europe and fifth globally.
Germany's capital is recognised for its governance and technology, but it has significant room for improvement in its economic performance.
European cities consistently perform well in this index.
"There's no single reason behind Europe's success, but there are patterns," said Pascual Berrone, head of the strategic management department at IESE Business School, and Joan Enric Ricart, professor of strategic management at IESE Business School.
"They have generally stable political systems and reasonable urban planning, along with advanced public and private transport options."