Cape Town makes 2026 ‘World’s Best Cities’ list

Cape Town has notched a spot on a most prestigious list.

The English publication Time Out just released its “World’s Best Cities” list for 2026. Using data based on the insights of over 24 000 people across 150 cities worldwide, they were able to pinpoint the top 50 cities deemed worthy of this appellation.

Here’s how the Mother City rated…

CAPE TOWN TAKES SIXTH

According to Time Out, Cape Town landed in sixth place on the list.

Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, praised the city’s “enduring global appeal”, as per the publication:

Cape Town’s continued recognition among the world’s best cities speaks to its enduring global appeal. Visitors come for the natural beauty, but what stays with them is the depth of the experience, from our neighbourhoods and culture to the creativity, food and people that give this city its soul.

WORLD’S BEST CITIES: THE TOP TWENTY

Earlier last year, CPT took the crown as the “World’s Best City”.

While the Western Cape metropolis’ ranking may seem quite low this year, it did have to contend with some incredibly strong competition from around the globe.

These are the top twenty cities that topped the list (from first to 20th):

• Melbourne, Australia
• Shanghai, China
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• London, England
• New York City, New York, United States of America
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Seoul, South Korea
• Tokyo, Japan
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• Krakow, Poland
• Porto, Portugal
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Madrid, Spain
• Valencia, Spain

As you can see, Melbourne, Shanghai and Edinburgh take the lead with their first-, second- and third-place rankings.

What do you think, folks? Do you think Cape Town deservedly got knocked off the top spot by its Australian counterpart? Or do you think the Mother City should have remained number one?

Sound off in the comments below!