Usually, we choose to visit global destinations for a variety of reasons. It could be the beaches, the nightlife, museums, architecture, and a myriad of other purposes, but, increasingly, gaming is becoming one of them. Of course, you’ll have to be an avid gamer to appreciate it, but this multi-billion-dollar global industry has enabled a wider cultural ecosystem that has permeated some of the world’s most iconic city destinations.
Of course, gaming is a broad church these days, and gaming-related entertainment can range from playing AAA games on PS5 to experiencing Megaways online slots, but the rise of gaming culture has become an intriguing 21st-century phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down. But where to go if gaming is your passion? Below, we present a diverse selection of cities that have specific attractions to die-hard gamers:
Tokyo (Japan)
Still the epicenter of gaming culture and history, Tokyo should be number one on any avid gamer’s list. A trip to Akihabara is basically a pilgrimage site for gamers, and you can also check out the industry mega-show, Tokyo Game Show. A trip to the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto is also well worth adding to your itinerary.
Seoul (South Korea)
If Tokyo charts the history of video gaming, Seoul is arguably the showcase for its future, especially for esports fans. From purpose-built stadiums where you can watch esports tournaments to specialist internet cafes with optimized gaming PCs, Seoul is a paradise for modern gamers.
Cologne (Germany)
Cologne is not really an all-year-round gaming city, but it is the place to be for a full week when Gamescom comes to the city. It is, in short, the world’s largest gaming festival and trades fair. The 2026 Gamescom takes place from August 26-30 this summer.
Paris (France)
Paris is obviously a popular tourist destination for a variety of activities, and it is a great option if you want to pair gaming with other touristy stuff. Paris Games Week is staged at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, and it’s an absolutely underrated gem in the calendar.
San Francisco (USA)
The prevalence of grassroots gaming culture in San Francisco can divide opinion, but it is undoubtedly one of your best bets if you want to look under the hood of the industry, with powerhouse gaming companies and indie studios alike clustering around the city.
Seattle (USA)
Seattle’s a strong “gaming weekend” destination thanks to PAX West, one of the biggest gaming culture festivals in the calendar. An underrated city in its own right to visit as a tourist, Seattle is definitely worth checking out as a gaming fan.
Berlin (Germany)
Berlin is sneakily good for gaming tourism. One of t the best options is the Computerspielemuseum (a dedicated, long-running games museum) and there’s also the A MAZE. / Berlin festival for indie and arthouse games culture. It’s cheaper than most of the cities on this list, too.
Rome (Italy)
Probably the most surprising name on this list, bar one (see below), but Rome’s gaming angle is surprisingly interesting. It actually has two major video game museums, VIGAMUS and GAMM, both of which offer cool gaming experiences. And if you get bored, you can always go to the Colosseum.
Los Angeles (USA)
LA is growing as a gaming hub for a few reasons, not least the fact that there are now so many adaptations of games into movies and television shows, so Hollywood’s net has drawn many gaming studios and creatives into its orbit.
Sheffield (England)
Finally, the least likely name for a global city list. Sheffield, with all due respect, isn’t much of a draw for international tourists, but it does host the UK’s National Video Games Museum, which is one of the world’s best experiences of its kind.
