Fremantle has been named ahead of Rome as one of the top 10 cities to visit in 2016, according to Lonely Planet.

The port city, at number 7, was the only Australian city to make the 'Best in Travel 2016' - Lonely Planet's annual publication on the hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the coming year.

The WA port city of Fremantle was named the seventh best city to visit in 2016. Credit:Getty Images

Fremantle is "a raffish harbour town with sea-salty soul to burn," the publication says.

"As in any port, the world washes in on the tide and washes out again, leaving the locals buzzing with global zeitgeist.