Top Urban Centers in Africa and the Middle East
One city is renowned for its endless souks, another for its wild beaches, and yet another boasts a nightlife scene that is practically unrivaled. These cities are among the most loved urban centers in the dynamic and dramatic region of Africa and the Middle East. Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, readers are invited to share their opinions on the top destinations, including cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Cities are rated based on their sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.
No. 5: Marrakesh, Morocco
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/best-cities-africa-middle-east-Marrakech-WBAFCITY0616-547a1fccf2234be2a3712b10c8cbdac1.jpg)
Score: 84.55
No. 4: Tel Aviv, Israel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/best-cities-africa-middle-east-Tel-Aviv-WBAFCITY0616-e11ca900b3454e33a06b897ca3871ce8.jpg)
Score: 84.63
No. 3: Jerusalem, Israel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/best-cities-africa-middle-east-Jerusalem-WBAFCITY0616-3de28c024cac489888fb04f67c6d0f54.jpg)
Score: 88.07
No. 2: Beirut, Lebanon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/best-cities-africa-middle-east-Beirut-WBAFCITY0616-fd1df3ab23e04ff0bd01833cd4c37bcc.jpg)
Score: 89.00
No. 1: Cape Town, South Africa
Score: 89.46
From Table Mountain to Robben Island, the botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch to the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town offers a diverse array of places and experiences. Evidently, it was voted best in the region. As one respondent noted, “This city has everything; it’s incredibly romantic, extremely affordable, and amazingly beautiful.” Additionally, Cape Town’s multiple wine-growing regions and safari parks are merely a few hours’ drive away. “From the safari up at Inverdoorn to the incredible wineries in Stellenbosch,” shared another traveler, “it was as close to perfect as you could get.”