Cape Town Named the Best City in the World

After finishing in second place in 2024, Cape Town claimed the number one spot for 2025 in the British-based company’s rankings. The results were based on opinions from 18,500 people around the world who weighed in on their city as per the seventh Time Out global survey of city-dwellers.

The survey’s questions covered everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and overall city vibe… you know us Capetonians, we’re all about the vibe. The British-based publication said that Cape Town’s rise to number one was no surprise due to the fact that locals and visitors enjoy visiting the colony of African penguins, tasting world-class wines, enjoying strolls on the beaches, and visiting one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, East City. The city is also renowned for its historic sites and cultural hubs. Time Out also has a presence in the city, with the Time Out Market situated in the V&A Waterfront.

After losing the title to New York in 2024, the Mother City faced intense competition from Bangkok (#2), The Big Apple (#3) Melbourne (#4), and London (#5). Cape Town scored highly across 44 different criteria used in the survey, with 82% of Capetonians describing their city as beautiful, and 97% of locals saying it makes them happy. No other South African city made the top 50.

“Cape Town is a city built on its people’s passion, resilience, and creativity. From bustling markets to serene beaches, every corner of our city tells a story of community and connection,” said Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.

The global top ten can be found below:

1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Bangkok, Thailand
3. New York, USA
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. London, England
6. New Orleans, USA
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Porto, Portugal
9. Shanghai, China
10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Original article written by Luke Fraser