Lagos among world’s top cities in 2026, only four African entries

A new global ranking has highlighted the world’s most exciting places to live and visit in 2026, celebrating the cities that bring people together through culture, community, and everyday urban life.

The annual Best Cities ranking, released by Time Out in partnership with Intrepid Travel, draws on insights from more than 24,000 residents across 150 cities worldwide. Participants were asked about the aspects that define city life, including food, nightlife, parks, museums, shopping, affordability, happiness, and overall quality of life.

This year’s survey also expanded to include factors such as romance, sense of community, and how connected residents feel to their city.

To determine the final ranking, the survey responses were combined with votes from over 100 Time Out city experts, alongside insights from local writers.

Now marking its tenth anniversary, the 2026 list features a mix of global metropolises, smaller cities, and new entries, highlighting destinations that offer both vibrant travel experiences and a strong sense of home.

Read also: Lagos among world’s best cities in 2025, only three African cities make the cut

Here are the four African cities on the world’s best cities list

1. Cape Town

Cape Town continues to draw global interest for its landscape, tourism infrastructure, and hospitality sector.

The city welcomes visitors through its award-winning airport before opening up to beaches, neighbourhoods, and food destinations. Local life stretches from the flower sellers in the city centre to fishermen working along the coast in Kalk Bay. These daily scenes form part of a wider tourism experience that blends nature, food, and culture.

The city sits beneath Table Mountain and within the wider Cape Floral Kingdom. The surrounding Cape Winelands also play a role in attracting international visitors.

Food continues to shape Cape Town’s tourism story. Restaurants and hospitality spaces have expanded through partnerships and chef-driven concepts. Pop-up kitchens and new dining formats have also appeared through Time Out Market Cape Town, which features menus from several chefs in the city.

Tourism activity has also increased. The city hosted the KNOX MMA fight series in February, led by former champion Dricus du Plessis. A new edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival is also launching in Franschhoek.

Investment in hospitality continues. A new hotel project from Marriott International is scheduled to open at the V&A Waterfront.

Survey results show that 86 percent of residents describe Cape Town as the most beautiful city in the world. The same percentage rated the city highly for green spaces and nature. Around 85 percent said their wellbeing and quality of life is “good” or “amazing”.

Read also: Top 5 African cities for the best quality of life in 2025

2. Marrakech

Marrakech remains one of Africa’s most recognised cultural destinations. The city has more than a thousand years of history and continues to attract artists, designers, and travellers.

Creative activity spreads across its historic medina, galleries, and design districts. During the recent 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, designer Amine Bendrouich held a midnight fashion show in one of the medina alleys.

Art spaces across the city host exhibitions and gatherings. These include galleries, restored riads, and studios located in both the old city and newer districts. The mix of art, design, and music continues to define the city’s cultural life.

The city also experienced renewed tourism interest after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. International events and celebrity visits have also drawn global attention, including a New Year celebration hosted by Madonna in the Agafay desert.

Food and hospitality spaces are expanding with new riads, restaurants, and creative venues opening across the city.

Survey responses show that 82 percent of residents feel a sense of community in Marrakech. About 74 percent said people in the city appear positive.

Read also: Lagos among four African cities ranked best in the world for nightlife in 2025

3. Cairo

Cairo continues to connect ancient history with modern tourism projects.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in November 2025 marked a major moment for the country’s tourism sector. The museum displays the full collection of artefacts linked to Tutankhamun in one location for the first time.

Nearby, the Pyramids of Giza remain one of the world’s most recognised historic sites. New electric buses now transport visitors between the pyramids and the Sphinx, improving access for tourists.

The hospitality sector in Cairo has also expanded. New hotels and boutique properties now operate in restored historic buildings and modern spaces across the city.

According to survey responses, 72 percent of residents praised Cairo’s food scene. The same percentage reported a strong sense of community. The city also scored 66 percent for nightlife and 62 percent for culture.

Despite its long history, many residents describe the city as “lively” rather than “historic”.

4. Lagos

Lagos stands out for entertainment, fashion, music, and food. The city has more than 500 languages and continues to grow as a centre for media, nightlife, and creative industries.

Districts such as Victoria Island remain key locations for restaurants, beach clubs, and entertainment venues.

New restaurants and nightlife spaces continue to open, while cultural institutions such as the Nike Art Gallery and the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art attract visitors interested in art and history.

Events such as Lagos Fashion Week and the year-end celebration known as Detty December bring global attention to the city’s entertainment sector.

The art scene is also expanding with new gallery spaces. At the same time, nightlife continues to grow with the opening of entertainment venues across Victoria Island.

Survey results show that 75 percent of residents say Lagos is one of the easiest places to make friends. Residents also reported frequently encountering someone attractive, with an average of 13.04 sightings per month.