A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I love this city" in Spanish
Learn how to express your affection for a place using the most natural and common Spanish phrase for loving a city.
Me encanta esta ciudad.
meh en-KAN-tah ES-tah see-oo-DADneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you are chatting with a local about your travel experience or sharing your thoughts with a friend while walking through a downtown area. It is the perfect way to show appreciation for the vibe, architecture, or energy of the place you are visiting.
Alternatives
- Amo esta ciudad.Use this for a more intense, dramatic declaration of love.
- Esta ciudad me fascina.Use this when you want to sound more sophisticated or impressed.
- Me gusta mucho esta ciudad.Use this for a slightly more reserved, polite compliment.
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'yo' unnecessarily
You don't need to say 'yo' before 'me encanta' because the verb conjugation already implies who is doing the loving.
Mispronouncing 'ciudad'
Ensure you pronounce the 'd' at the end softly, almost like a 'th' sound, rather than a hard English 'd'.
A small cultural note
In Spanish, we use 'encantar' (to be enchanted by) for things we love, reserving 'amar' mostly for people or deep, lifelong passions.
Frequently asked
Why don't I use the word amo?
While 'amo' is technically correct, it sounds very heavy and romantic in Spanish. 'Me encanta' is the standard way to express that you really enjoy a place or an object.
Can I say this to a stranger?
Yes, it is a very friendly and safe phrase to use with locals. It usually opens the door for them to give you recommendations on what else to see.
How do I make this plural for cities?
You would change it to 'Me encantan estas ciudades.' Note that the verb changes to 'encantan' because the subject is now plural.
