Time Out has published its annual ranking of the world's coolest neighbourhoods, and Europe has plenty to shout about: 13 of the 40 spots on the global list are on the continent, and three landed in the top ten.

The European winner is Neos Kosmos in Athens, which ranked third worldwide. Time Out's editors highlighted it as one of the Greek capital's most exciting areas that still feels genuinely local. The draw here is a mix of culture and everyday life: Onassis Stegi, the city's contemporary cultural hub, anchors the arts scene, while the surrounding streets are packed with bars, restaurants and cafés covering just about every cuisine and budget.

Glasgow's Govanhill took the second European slot, praised for its thriving queer community and a spread of restaurants and shops that reflect the area's remarkable diversity. Rome's Esquilino completed the top ten, and it's easy to see why: the district layers ancient ruins next to a Vietnamese pho restaurant, Rome's oldest gelateria, contemporary galleries and laid-back wine bars. It's the kind of place where you can stumble from a Roman ruin straight into dinner.

The global number one went further afield: Jongno 3-ga in Seoul, beloved for its pojangmachas (the tented street food stalls familiar from K-dramas) and its independent craft workshops and bars. Rabat's beachfront L'Ocean District in Morocco came second, powered by independent businesses and cultural centres.

The rest of the European rundown reads like a well-planned city-break itinerary: Russafa in Valencia, São Bento in Lisbon, Stockholm's Slakthusområdet, Rákóczi tér in Budapest, Crooswijk in Rotterdam, Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, Amsterdam Oost, Quartier d'Aligre in Paris, Newington Green in London and Boavista in Porto.

The ranking isn't a simple 'most Instagrammable' list. Time Out's editors worldwide scored neighbourhoods on food and drink, nightlife, local businesses, liveability and sense of community — so the winners tend to be areas where real residents actually want to spend time, not just visitor zones.

For travellers, that's the practical value: these are the districts worth basing yourself in rather than just day-tripping through. Book accommodation in Neos Kosmos and you're a metro ride from the Acropolis but eating and drinking where Athenians do. Govanhill and Esquilino work the same way — slightly off the postcard track, cheaper than the old towns, and far better for a memorable dinner.