With more than 50 countries and territories, the African continent is home to many of the most beautiful cities to discover. These Cities are incredibly diverse and vibrant in culture. Many African urban centers are contemporary with stunning backgrounds. African cities, such as Marrakesh and Morocco, offer the best of the old and the new.
Africa offers cities that cater to different types of travelers. From sprawling and fast-paced cities like Egypt’s Cairo and Nigeria’s Lagos as well as South Africa’s Johannesburg to cities such as Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar where things are slow. However, Cape Town in South Africa is the most beautiful city in Africa.
The Top Ten Most Beautiful Cities in Africa.
The following cities were selected because of their beauty, diversity, and the reasons why a visitor might want to include these cities on their trips.
1. Cape Town, South Africa
Located at the base of Table Mountain and right on the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town offers everything. Cape Town is home to several gorgeous beaches and numerous natural attractions such as the Lion’s Head summit where you can view the sunrise or the Table Mountain National Park where you can get to view wild African penguins in the Botanical garden within 30 minutes away from the city’s center.
Cape Town is also culturally wealthy and has many galleries, museums, and historic sites. For shopping and dining, Cape Town has excellent eateries and modern shops. Do not miss the vibrant Victoria as well as Alfred Waterfront, which is where you can find both and they are one of the many reasons that makes Cape Town the most beautiful city in Africa.
Some hotels cater to every budget of travelers and because of the favorable exchange rates in place for Americans, Canadians, and Europeans, the most luxurious hotels here are cheap. If you’re willing to spend a bit, The Silo Hotel is one of the best hotels in town and has stunning bathtubs.
2. Marrakesh, Morocco
The fourth-largest city in the country, Marrakesh is a mesmerizing city to explore, brimming with ancient buildings and modern life. In the western portion of the country, Marrakesh is the home of a lively medieval medina with a wall that is a remnant of the time of the Berber Empire.
The Medieval Medina is a place that you must visit to spend time exploring its maze-like streets, which are lined with souks (marketplaces) offering a variety of traditional items, including spices, jewelry, and textiles.
One of Marrakesh’s top attractions is the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, with its Moorish minaret, which forms an essential part of the city’s skyline. Also, don’t overlook new sights such as that of the Museum of African Contemporary Art, Al Maaden as these places sum up to make Marrakesh one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.
3. Cairo, Egypt
Just on the shores of the Nile River, Cairo is an incredibly bustling and chaotic city that is the largest in Egypt. It is often referred to as the city that never sleeps because there’s always something happening in this sprawling city, in which ancient civilizations meet modern-day skyscrapers. Expect to hear a chorus of horns as well as the rumble of traffic both day and night.
The top Cairo sights include the Egyptian Museum packed with centuries-old antiques and artifacts, which include mummified remains of rulers from the past. The vast, open Tahir Square with its central traffic circle is considered to be the central point of Cairo. Egypt is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.
To see the city from afar you must go to the 187-meter high Cairo Tower in the Zamalek district of the Gezira Island suburb. In addition, Giza is where you’ll see Egypt’s most popular landmarks which comprise the famous pyramids that date back to the 26th century BC and the Great Sphinx.
4. Stone Town, Zanzibar
Stone Town is an ancient Swahili coastal trading town, however, it is among the most fascinating locations in Africa. Located on the stunning island of Zanzibar, off the Tanzanian coast of the Indian Ocean, Stone Town is the soul and heart of Zanzibar.
The town has been in existence for more than 200 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a maze of narrow alleyways with elaborately carved wooden entrances that are used as guesthouses. Explore the town’s lively bazaars, and then eat at one of the many food vendors serving fresh meals just steps from the waterfront.
5. Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg or Jo’burg as locals refer to it is South Africa’s largest city and is one of Africa’s richest and most modern cities. Expect high-end hotels, skyscrapers as well as a variety of eateries that is comparable to western cities such as New York. In reality, much of Jo’burg is similar to NYC and the city is youthful, energetic, and frantic.
The city’s central area is home to many attractions, including the must-see Apartheid Museum. However, the suburbs are also noteworthy and are in which the majority of hotels and restaurants are situated. Johannesburg is also home to shopping centers that people continue to visit. These shopping centers are connected by luxurious restaurants and hotels making the city one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.
6. Kigali, Rwanda
The capital city of Rwanda is known as one of the cleanest cities in Africa. It is located at the heart of Rwanda, and only a 2.5-hour drive away from Volcanoes National Park, where people like to view the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, it is a perfect geographical spot for exploring the emerging country. The city is home to a vibrant nightlife & restaurant scene.
The city which is situated at around 5,500 feet above sea level, and was founded in the 11th century has a steep slope with buildings erected on ridges and valleys that surround them. For traditional handicrafts from wood carvings to weaving baskets and jewelry, you can visit the many vendors that make up the Caplaki Craft Village.
7. Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is a Moroccan port city, situated on the country’s Atlantic coast. It is among the most beautiful cities in Africa. Essaouira is also a well-known resort town that is home to beautiful beaches. The city is famous for its superb windsurfing, kite surfing, and regular surfing all thanks to the strong currents and lots of wind. It is also known for being the Wind City of Africa.
You can also visit the old medina for a tour. It is lined with palm-lined avenues and slender streets lined with cafés, galleries as well as small hotels. Be sure to look out for the antique brass cannons which line the picturesque fishing town’s walls that are fortified making the city one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.
8. Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia’s capital city is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. Windhoek is modern, safe, and clean. It’s packed with traditional German homes and pastel-colored buildings. While it is Namibia’s largest urban area, Windhoek has the atmosphere of a small town.
The city’s pedestrian-friendly atmosphere is easy to discover by walking. Do not miss the numerous art galleries, exciting and delicious restaurants, as well as Neo-Baroque cathedrals that connect tall buildings to form the Skyline of the city.
9. Durban, South Africa
South Africa’s third-biggest city, Durban has a unique cultural history. The city, which is located situated on the Indian Ocean coastline is a popular South African beach destination (the water here is quite more pleasant than that of Cape Town), with several good surfing breaks. It is also famous for its massive Indian population and a thriving restaurant scene.
One of the top Durban tourist attractions is a beachfront promenade called the Golden Mile, which is a stretch of beach that runs through uShaka Marine World to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, which was built in 2010 for the football World Cup. Durban is also home to the Durban Botanical Gardens another well-known attraction that showcases the largest variety of African plants. Durban is no doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.
10. Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city is a thriving and distinct destination, with the most impressive facilities on the African continent. You can expect a blend of modern buildings and traditional Kenyan houses as well as a good dose of cultural and historic places.
One of the coolest aspects of Nairobi is its proximity to African safaris. Just to the west of the city’s center is the Nairobi National Park, a wildlife reserve renowned for breeding threatened black rhinos. It also houses other animals like Zebras, lions, and even giraffes.
Another Nairobi popular attraction is an elephant orphanage that is run by David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust next to the reserve. The Giraffe Manor is one of the most exclusive hotels that you would want to visit as you would get a chance to say Hello to the Giraffes in one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.
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