Cape Town has been officially crowned as the world’s most beautiful city according to Time Out Magazine’s latest global survey. In this comprehensive ranking, Cape Town earned 86% beauty rating from residents who described their city as beautiful.
The Mother City was places ahead of Edinburgh, Sydney, Chicago and Paris. The recognition reflected Cape Town’s dramatic mountain backdrops, distinctive architecture, rich heritage and vibrant lifestyle culture that attracts travellers from around the world.
Time Out’s methodology surveyed over 24,000 of respondents across major global cities, making this award significant validation of what locals already know about their home.
Whether you’re drawn to Table Mountain’s iconic silhouette, the colourful street art of the Bo-Kaap, or the wine country landscapes just outside the city, Cape Town’s natural beauty and cultural richness continue to inspire travellers seeking authentic experiences.
What actually made the city win this recognition was Capetonians belief that no other city can match Cape Town’s dramatic combination of mountains, ocean, vineyards and historic neighbourhoods. From sunrise over Lion’s Head to sunset on Camps Bay beach, it’s a city that delivers postcard moments in every direction.
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Rewarding Cape Town, Travel Editor of Time Out Magazine – Grace Beard stated that they’d argue a city’s beauty comes down to its unique, one-of-a-kind appeal. On Time Out’s list of the world’s most beautiful cities right now, each destination serves up something different, from the cascading buildings of Porto to the beach-lined fringes of Cape Town and the towering skyscrapers of Chicago.
In total, Time Out Magazine ranked world’s 19 most beautiful cities, according to locals living there:
- Cape Town in South Africa achieved 86%
- Edinburgh in United Kingdom earned 84%
- Sydney in Australia scored 78%
- Chicago in United States received 77%
- Lisbon in Portugal got 74%
- Paris in France earned 68%
- Stockholm in Sweden scored 68%
- Porto in Portugal received 67%
- Medellín in Colombia got 66%
- Rigain Latvia scored 65%
- San Diego in United States received 61%
- Panama City in Panama got 60%
- Cambridge in United Kingdom scored 60%
- Florence in Italy received 60%
- Rio de Janeiroin Brazil got 60%
- Bath in United Kingdom earned 60%
- Bangalore in India scored 59%
- Vienna in Austria received 59%
- Brasília in Brazil got 59%
This achievement is a great reminder for Cape Town that while visitors travel thousands of kilometres to experience the city’s scenery, it’s the people who live there every day and appreciate it the most. And judging by this year’s results, those views and votes are not to be taken for granted.