Cape Town has once again been crowned Best City in the World. This time, by readers of The Telegraph in their 2025 Travel Awards. It’s the second major global title for the city this year, proving Cape Town isn’t just trending, it’s iconic!
Cape Town, South Africa (14 July 2025) – This week, The Telegraph Travel Awards named the Mother City the Best City in the World for 2025, marking the seventh time the title has been bestowed on Cape Town by the UK’s biggest travel publication. More than 20,000 UK-based travellers cast their votes, placing our coastal icon ahead of global giants like Sydney and Seville. The result? A loud and proud we told you so from the southern tip of Africa.
It’s also the second time this year Cape Town has topped a “world’s best” list, after Time Out kicked off 2025 by handing the city the same global crown. Coincidence? Hot streak? We’ll call it what it is: Cape Town being Cape Town.
According to The Telegraph, what sets Cape Town apart is its “photogenic power”, a mix of city sophistication and raw, untamed beauty. From the bustling V&A Waterfront to the majestic rise of Table Mountain, the soft curve of Camps Bay’s beaches to the wild tail of Cape Point, Cape Town doesn’t just dazzle, it owns every frame.
But it’s not all scenery and sunsets.
James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, says the recognition is rooted in more than just good looks.
“This kind of recognition doesn’t just happen,” he explains. “It’s the result of serious graft, smart thinking, and a whole lot of local passion. From our neighbourhood entrepreneurs to the people welcoming visitors with a smile, Cape Town’s tourism scene is powered by its people.”
He adds that behind the scenes, strategic destination marketing and collaborative partnerships with Cape Town Tourism are helping put the city in front of the right eyes, globally, and clearly, it’s working.
Cape Town Tourism’s Briony Brookes agrees, adding with a smile, “Being named the world’s best city again isn’t just about bragging rights… okay, maybe just a little.”
“More than anything,” she says, “it’s a celebration of what makes this place unforgettable: the people, the energy, the views, and the stories that connect us with visitors from around the world.”
It’s easy to see why travellers fall for Cape Town, but for those who live here, the love runs even deeper. It’s not just a destination, it’s a daily love letter to bold creativity, wild nature, and deep-rooted culture.
Two global “Best City” awards in under six months? Cape Town isn’t just having a moment; it’s defining its status as a worldwide “must-visit” destination.
by 