Cape Town voted ‘Best City on Earth’ at 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards

Cape Town has once again been voted the best city in the world by readers of Telegraph in the 2025 edition of its Travel Awards, maintaining its reign for the seventh time in 11 years. Cape Town beats the world’s meccas to top ‘Best City’ at 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards Each year, readers of the UK-based publication […]

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Cape Town has once again been voted the best city in the world by readers of Telegraph in the 2025 edition of its Travel Awards, maintaining its reign for the seventh time in 11 years.

Cape Town beats the world’s meccas to top ‘Best City’ at 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards

Each year, readers of the UK-based publication are asked to rate their favourite cities across the globe. In 2025, more than 20,000 readers cast their votes across 20 travel-related categories.

Cape Town, known for its scenic blend of ocean, mountains, and cosmopolitan flair, retained its top position as the most loved city worldwide.

The accolade is based on the city’s appeal as a travel destination. Voters praised Cape Town’s unique geography: the dramatic Table Mountain backdrop, the Atlantic coastline lined by the V&A Waterfront, and the natural beauty of the Cape of Good Hope.

Combined with nearby wine regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and a vibrant cultural mix, the city’s overall offering proved difficult to beat.

This year’s top three cities included:

  1. Cape Town
  2. Seville
  3. Sydney

Each of these cities stood out for different reasons. Seville was lauded as the best city in Europe, drawing acclaim for its cultural depth and culinary scene.

Sydney rebounded from a dip in rankings in 2023, thanks to the return of global travel post-COVID and its iconic coastal landmarks.

Honourable mentions: The world’s best according to avid travellers

In addition to Cape Town’s victory, the Telegraph Travel Awards highlighted major shifts and rising stars in global tourism.

Greece replaced Italy as the Best European Country, marking the end of a 25-year streak. The islands, archaeological sites, and Mediterranean charm earned Greece the top honour in its category.

New Zealand returned to the number one spot as Best Country overall, overtaking South Africa from the previous awards. It remains a reader favourite for its natural beauty and diverse travel experiences.

Other notable cities in the top ten list included:

  • Tokyo (4th): A rapid riser with its dazzling urban landscape.
  • Kyoto (5th): Celebrated for its temples and traditional serenity.
  • Copenhagen (6th): The Danish capital jumped from 21st place, praised for its food and design.
  • VancouverVenicePorto, and Singapore also rounded out the top ten.

Despite the turbulence of global events, Telegraph readers showed a steady appreciation for cities that offer a combination of natural beauty, history, and modern amenities.

Cape Town, with its consistent appeal, continues to shine as a leading travel destination.