CAPE Town, South Africa’s legislative capital, has been crowned the best city in the world for 2025 by Time Out, moving up from its second-place ranking last year, the city government announced on Wednesday.
Why Cape Town topped the list
Time Out, a global media and hospitality leader, highlighted Cape Town’s natural beauty, overall happiness, and thriving food scene as key factors in its ranking. The city is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse nightlife, offering both locals and visitors a unique experience.
Survey and ranking process
The annual ranking was based on a survey of over 18,500 residents from cities worldwide, alongside insights from more than 100 urban experts within Time Out’s network. Cape Town claimed the top spot, followed by Bangkok, New York, Melbourne, London, New Orleans, Mexico City, Porto, Shanghai, and Copenhagen.
City leaders celebrate the achievement
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed pride in the recognition, emphasising that the ranking is particularly meaningful because it reflects the sentiments of residents themselves.
‘In addition to all the things that make Cape Town a must-visit tourism destination—our unmatched natural beauty, blue flag beaches, wonderful cuisine, nightlife, and cultural diversity—it is the overall happiness of residents that perhaps means the most in this extensive survey,’ he said.
Boost for tourism and economy
James Vos, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, highlighted the impact of tourism on the city’s economy.
‘The 2023 gross value add of the industry for Cape Town was more than 27 billion rands (around $1.4bn), supporting over 91,000 jobs. This acknowledgment from Time Out and their readers is sure to be a further boost to our wonderful local tourism industry, further fuelling Cape Town’s economic growth,’ he said.
Cape Town’s latest accolade is expected to draw even more visitors, solidifying its position as one of the most desirable destinations in the world.
