Alexandria ranks second in Condé Nast Traveler’s best small cities list

Alexandria, Virginia, has achieved its highest ranking to date in the Condé Nast Traveler 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, placing second in the ‘Best Small Cities in the U. S.’ category. The city finished only behind Charleston, South Carolina, surpassing other notable destinations such as Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Savannah, Georgia.

Alexandria has maintained a position in the top five of this category since its inception in 2018. Local tourism officials from Visit Alexandria noted that such national recognition is a vital component of their promotional strategy to influence travel decisions and increase visitor-related tax revenues.

In the fiscal year ending June 30, the city reported consumption tax revenue—including sales, meals, and lodging taxes—of nearly $92 million. Additionally, the city saw a record $119 hotel revenue per available room rate, marking a 3% year-over-year improvement.