Alexandria Achieves #3 Ranking on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” List

We are pleased to announce that Alexandria, Virginia, has been named the #3 “Best Small City in the U.S.” according to the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Alexandria has been among the top 5 “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” for eight consecutive years, since the category was created in 2018, and has maintained its top 3 standing since 2023 (also achieved in 2021 and 2019). Alexandria landed the #3 spot behind Charleston (#1) and Santa Fe (#2), while transcending other well-known destinations including Savannah and Honolulu.

Visit Alexandria secured the nomination and conducted an extensive get-out-the-vote campaign. Consistent national recognition in top-tier publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and others helps solidify the city’s reputation as a top destination and is a key part of Visit Alexandria’s year-round promotional efforts. Research demonstrates that these rankings make a real difference in influencing travel decisions to our destination.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the travel industry’s longest run and most prestigious accolades. More than 757,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers from across the United States rated their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting.

Alexandria also has the unique positioning of being a top 5 “Best Small City in the U.S.” located minutes from a top 10 “Best Large Cities in the U.S.,” Washington, D.C. Visitors can stay in one location but experience two of the nation’s best cities.

Read the full article:cntraveler.com/gallery/best-cities-us. All winners will also be celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler.

Download high-res images here.

Top 10 Small Cities in the U.S.:
1. Charleston, South Carolina
2. Santa Fe, New Mexico
3. Alexandria, Virginia
4. St. Augustine, Florida
5. San Juan, Puerto Rico
6. Savannah, Georgia
7. Oakland, California
8. Lexington, Kentucky
9. Honolulu, Hawaii
10. Pensacola, Florida

Top 10 Large Cities in the U.S.:
1. Chicago, Illinois
2. San Francisco, California
3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4. Portland, Oregon
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Washington, D.C.
7. San Diego, California
8. Columbus, Ohio
9. New York City, New York
10. Seattle, Washington

October 7, 2025