Boston is not the most beautiful winter city in the world, according to Boston.com readers

When we asked Boston.com readers if Boston is the most beautiful winter city in the world, the answer got ugly.

“No, definitely not,” said 53 percent of the nearly 200 readers who answered our informal poll.

“Maybe while the snow is falling, but [not] the aftermath of ugly unplowed streets and sidewalks, parking spots saved with everything from chairs to toilets,” wrote a reader who identified as “Santa” from Boston.

The question was posed after Premier Inn, the largest hotel chain in the United Kingdom, released a study saying Boston is the most beautiful winter city in the world. The ranking was determined by showing 100 folks worldwide a series of wintry city images and using eye-tracking technology to measure which pictures held participants’ gazes longest.

“Boston Common and the Public Garden transform into winter wonderlands,” wrote Premier Inn about Boston, which came out on top.

Many readers, however, agreed that Boston is in fact the most beautiful — 47 percent of those who answered our poll.

“It’s magical,” wrote Delia from Fall River. “Boston is small enough to walk or take the T to different neighborhoods. The Public Garden, the Common, the South End and Newbury Street are magnificent.”

Ahead, check out more of what readers had to say about Boston’s beauty.

No, Boston is not the most beautiful

“It’s nice if you’ve never been anywhere in Europe during the holidays.” — Aaron from Dorchester

“Because I’ve seen other cities and we are not nearly as beautifully decorated as we used to be.” — Jen from Boston

“I love Boston, but there are far more beautiful cities in the winter than Boston.” — Dan from Winchester

“Lived in Europe the past year and Christmas markets in Vienna and Germany beat Boston.” — Frank from Canton

“Let’s begin…Paris, Rome, London, then there’s Vienna, Bergamo, Lucerne. Want more? Gimme a break. If you’ve never left Boston I guess it is.” — David from Italy

“Try living in the city and all the brown snow that we end up [with].” — Steve from Allston/Brighton

“Boston is a lovely city in the winter, particularly on a snowy day like today. But the most beautiful in the world? I’m skeptical. The methodology on this is extremely questionable. ‘Eye-catching’ is not the same as ‘beautiful.’” — Paul from the North End

“Europe is filled with gorgeous town squares and old buildings that are beautiful when they’re decorated for the holidays.” — Leslie from Watertown

Yes, Boston is the most beautiful

“Boston carries an air of sophistication year-round, but winter transforms it into something truly magical. When the city is blanketed in snow, it takes on a majestic charm, as though pulled straight from the pages of an old fantasy novel.” — Sanjiv from Jamaica Plain

“History, artistry, and snow! What’s not to love?” — Sara from Beacon Hill

“The old and the new side by side. Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the walkable streets and beautiful buildings amidst the decorative holiday landscape makes Boston the perfect urban wonderland.” — Diana from Mashpee

“First, it’s a little big city, it’s a walking city with beautiful architecture. It’s vibrant.” — Tony from Nashua, N.H.

“I have been to 16 countries and hundreds of cities. I keep coming home to Boston.” — Tina from the North End

“It has the architecture, the Charles River, Boston Common, the Public Garden, Frog Pond ice skating, First Night Celebration, MFA, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and John Singer Sargent’s murals at The Public Library, and the North End.” — Laura from Medford

“It looks like a beautiful European city from the get go, add snow, the Common all decked out, the Halifax ‘Boston Tree’ all lit up along with the Quincy Market [and] Seaport trees, coupled with Snowport and SoWa Market and you have the recipe for ‘Most beautiful Winter Wonderland in the World!’” — Brian from Easton

“Every winter wonderland in the city: the Frog Pond; the Seaport Snowport; Franklin Park Zoo; William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park; Arnold Arboretum; Jamaica Pond; Pope John Paul II Park; JFK Library; UMass Harbor Point; Fort Hill …etc.” — Tracey from Roxbury

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

Kristi Palma

Culture writer

 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.