20 of the Best & Most Beautiful Cities in Africa.

Safari travel is often associated with vacations in Africa. And that makes sense given that the most amazing megafauna in the world is found on this enormous continent. However, there are also some intriguing metropolitan locations in Africa. While some are more isolated or unknown, others, like Cairo, Marrakech, and Cape Town, are well-known and well-liked by travelers.

The difficult chore of choosing 20 of Africa’s most stunning cities and communities has been taken on by us. Some are renowned for their modern metropolitan life, some for their picturesque surroundings, and some for their historic architecture. Some provide all three. However, these cities are unquestionably worth a visit in every situation.

1. South Africa’s Cape Town

Considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Africa, if not the entire world, Cape Town is tucked away between Table Mountain and the glistening Atlantic seas of Table Bay. In addition to its picturesque setting, the city’s impressive collection of historical sites and museums reflects its distinction as South Africa’s oldest city, having been established in 1652.

Foodies will adore the wine and seafood, party animals will enjoy Cape Town’s vibrant nightlife, and outdoor enthusiasts will be enticed by Table Mountain and the breathtaking Cape Peninsula.

2. Tanzania’s Zanzibar Stone Town

Located just offshore from Tanzania’s mainland, Stone Town is the center of the fabled “Spice Island” of Zanzibar. This historic old district is a haven of winding streets and buildings from the 19th century surrounded by the contemporary sprawl of Zanzibar City. Enjoy sundowners and international food on the charming Indian Ocean shoreline, shop for eco-friendly Zanzibari goods, and immerse yourself in urban Swahili culture.

3. Egypt’s Cairo

The Egyptian capital is unlike any other city in Africa if busy traffic, blasting horns, and people everywhere are indicators of a wonderful city. Whether you explore the ancient Coptic neighborhood, eat Mediterranean food on the banks of the Nile, marvel at the Egyptian Museum’s exhibits, or gaze in awe at the enormous sphinx and pyramids of Giza, Cairo is an endlessly fascinating city despite its bustle.

4. Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa

The mountain-ringed capital Addis Ababa, established by Emperor Menelik II in the 1880s, offers a lively introduction to Africa’s most unique nation, even if it is rather new by Ethiopian standards. Here, visitors may explore magnificent churches connected to the famous Emperor Haile Selassie, experience Ethiopia’s fiery cuisine and distinctive musical heritage, and get a taste of the nation’s rich history at the National Museum of Ethiopia.

5. Mali’s Djenné

Situated on a seasonal island in the Bani River, which is a part of the Niger River Delta, Africa’s most architecturally harmonious town has been a significant commercial center since the 15th century. Djenné is still home to a wealth of Sahelian mud-and-stick architecture, which is best represented by the Great Mosque of Djenné, the biggest and maybe most exquisite adobe structure in the world.

6. Mozambique’s Maputo

In 1898, Maputo—then known as Lourenço Marques—became the capital of Mozambique. Since then, it has grown into one of the most vibrant and distinctive cities in southern Africa. Thanks to its unique Afro-Mediterranean atmosphere, varied blend of historic architectural styles, and abundance of charming marketplaces, downtown Maputo is a lot of fun. This port city is also well-known for its inclusive nightlife, lovely beaches, and fiery Portuguese-inspired cuisine.

7. Kenya’s Nairobi

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most beautiful cities, but few places compare to the high-altitude capital of Kenya in terms of contemporary conveniences, a lively nightlife, and access to both domestic and international transportation. One of the few locations in the world where you may witness lions, giraffes, and rhinos roaming freely beneath the glittering skyscrapers of a tropical central business district is the nearby Nairobi National Park.

One of the most stunning cities in Africa is this glittering treasure on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The impressive cliff-top ramparts and fortifications of the 18th-century Skala de la Kasbah enclose the intriguing ancient medina, which is combined with a gorgeous resort beach.

9. South Africa’s Johannesburg

Johannesburg would not win any beauty pageants, much like its East African equivalent Nairobi, but it is a unique regional transportation and economic center. It also has some excellent museums, a plethora of shopping options, and one of Africa’s greatest food and art scenes. Paradoxically, this most contemporary African city is located next to the Cradle of Humankind, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is home to the largest collection of hominid fossils in the world, which date back 3.3 million years.

10. Ethiopia’s Axum

In sub-Saharan Africa, Axum is the oldest city still in continuous habitation. During the reign of the Queen of Sheba, it served as the capital of the Axumite Empire and formerly dominated a commercial route that connected Yemen with the Red Sea and the Sudanese Nile. Axum is dotted with tall stelae, abandoned palaces, and other artifacts from their heydays. Ethiopian Christianity originated in the central Maryam Tsion Church, which was founded in the fourth century.

11. Morocco’s Marrakech

Marrakech, one of the greatest and most well-known cities in Africa, is referred to as the Red City because of the hue of the old walls that enclose its medina. Along with its famous souks (markets), hammam spas, and Moroccan food, the city is also known for its architectural features, which include the 13th-century Kutubiyya Mosque and Sidi Bel Abbes Mausoleum. Try taking a day trip to a nearby Berber settlement, such Tanaghmeilt or Tamatert, for something new.

12. Senegal’s Saint-Louis

Founded in 1659 close to the mouth of the Senegal River, island-bound Saint-Louis is the oldest French town in West Africa. Before Dakar claimed it as the capital in 1902, it was the capital. While the vibrant modern nightlife culminates with the well-known Saint-Louis Jazz Festival, which draws musicians and music enthusiasts from all over the world, Saint-Louis’ pastel-shaded colonial and Creole architecture radiates character.

13. Kenya’s Lamu

Lamu, which is situated on an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, is essentially the more relaxed and understated northern equivalent of Stone Town in Zanzibar. But in terms of architecture, the old town feels more older and more traditional than Zanzibar because the whitewashed homes that line its cobblestone pathways are constructed in a medieval-style Swahili. In addition to providing access to a number of excellent beaches and snorkeling reefs, Lamu is a fantastic spot to relax.

14. Rwanda’s Kigali

If you enjoy clean cities, you should visit Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, which was recognized as an example of contemporary urban preservation when it received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor in 2008. Kigali is home to a number of fascinating museums and memorials and is well-known for its picturesque mountainous terrain and little tolerance for litterbugs. In Volcanoes National Park, it’s also the greatest air gateway for gorilla trekking safaris.

15. Namibia’s Swakopmund

Some beautiful structures from the German colonial era may be found in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. However, the time-warped Bavarian-style harbor of Swakopmund, located around 360 km/224 mi to the west, is superior in this regard. After taking in Swakopmund’s architectural attractions, the town is a well-liked starting point for adventure sports including sea kayaking, quad biking, and sandboarding. Further away, Cape Cross is home to the largest Cape fur seal colony in the world, which can number up to 200,000.

16. Egypt’s Luxor

The site of ancient Thebes, which historian Ian Portman has called “the greatest city the world had ever known,” is Luxor, which is located on the Nile more than 600 kilometers (370 miles) downstream from Cairo. The riverfront temples, palaces, tombs, and other impressive Theban relics scattered across Luxor may easily be explored in a week. Especially considering how pleasant the contemporary city is, with its bustling marketplaces and pleasant riverbank setting.

17. Mozambique Island, Mozambique

Before Maputo emerged, this crescent-shaped island off the north coast of Mozambique was the capital of Portuguese East Africa for four centuries. Known by its Portuguese name, Ilha de Moçambique, it is home to some of the oldest structures in the southern hemisphere, including the 16th-century Fortaleza de São Sebastião. The ancient town center’s architectural unity, which hasn’t changed much since the late 19th century, is equally striking.

18. Ethiopia’s Harar

After Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem, Harar is the fourth-holiest city in the Muslim world and is located along an old trade route across Ethiopia’s lush eastern highlands. The historic walled city of Harar Jugol is home to the greatest number of mosques and Islamic shrines in the world, but its winding lanes also have a powerful feeling of place. The renowned hyena guys, who feed the spotted hyenas that roam the nearby hills every evening shortly after sunset, are a distinctive aspect of this laid-back city.

19. Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam

The main city and former capital of Tanzania is far more vibrant than its Swahili name, which translates as “Haven of Peace.” While the surrounding Msasani Peninsula offers a fantastic array of waterfront dining options, the city center, with its abundance of German, Indian, and Swahili architectural influences, can be entertaining to explore. Dar es Salaam is only a quick flight or ferry ride from Zanzibar and is conveniently close to several amazing beaches.

20. South Africa’s Stellenbosch

Established inland of Cape Town in 1679, Stellenbosch is the second-oldest town in South Africa. Stately Cape Dutch houses from that era flank the city’s central, oak-shaded roads. In spite of its historic architectural setting, Stellenbosch is a vibrant academic city with a thriving nightlife. It is encircled by the stunning mountains and valleys of the well-known Cape Winelands.