Not only is Cape Town one of the friendliest cities in the world, it’s also one of the all-round best, according to respondents of the annual Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. 

The magazine received almost 800 000 survey responses from readers based in the United Kingdom in which they were asked to rate their travel experiences. The readers put Cape Town at number 15 on the best cities in the world list and at number 10 for the friendliest cities across the globe. It was also the only African city on both lists.

‘For those of us who know the Mother City well, it’s no surprise that travellers rate us as one of the friendliest and best. In fact, I would say the one speaks to the other. Yes, the beaches and mountains are beautiful beyond compare, but it’s Capetonians who are so welcoming to visitors. That’s what makes this place unmatched,’ said Alderman James Vos, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

Caption 1: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

Cape Town likely also played a part in South Africa being ranked the 16th best country and the 10th best in the world for food, said Alderman Vos.

‘Cuisine is one of the most remarkable aspects of Cape Town and South Africa. Our food reveals our history and the spread of cultures that make us unique and memorable,’ he said.

The Readers’ Choice Awards findings come as Cape Town enters its peak visitor period.

Caption 2: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, and Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy, with members of the Isibane se Africa choir from Khayelitsha. The choir won a trip up to Table Mountain.

‘Tourism is one of the key pillars of economic growth in Cape Town and the country. There was R24,5 billion in direct tourism spend in 2025 while the industry also sustained more than 106 000 jobs that year. We are working to increase those figures and are aiming for R35 billion in tourism spend and 234 041 tourism jobs in 2030.

'We will keep pushing to get there by doubling down on our place marketing campaigns, strengthening airline partnerships to bring more visitors directly to Cape Town, and working with our tourism partners to convert that demand into more bookings, longer stays and greater visitor spend,’ said Alderman Vos.