Home to more than 50 different countries, the African continent has some of the world's best cities to explore. Africa’s riches are staggering. Yet, while its baobab trees, lions and gorillas, and deltas like the Okavango have long captured the world’s imaginations, its cities have been too often overlooked by travelers from beyond the continent, despite being equally exciting cultural ecosystems, and destinations in their own right.
You may know about Cairo, Marrakech, Tangiers, and Tunis, those ancient cities of the Mediterranean sphere, but it’s the hubs of sub-Saharan Africa-that have evolved right under our noses-that are drawing us in. These African cities, south of the great desert, are melting pots of their countries’ myriad ethnicities and religions. Whether you’re in Kigali, Johannesburg, or Addis Ababa, life and business are lived out on the street.
Ever since the opening up of the continent’s major economies in the 1990s, the African diaspora has recognized the opportunities on the home continent and have brought back their experiences collected abroad, melding them with traditional cues and wisdom. Homegrown locals are doing the same: Inspired by the digisphere’s explosion of ideas, they are similarly fusing Indigenous and non-native cultures to create something rootsy yet cosmopolitan, through formats like supper clubs in Lagos and art collectives in Johannesburg.
The coastal location of many sub-Saharan cities means that whether you’re in Dakar, Accra, or Dar Es Salaam, you can enjoy gorgeous ocean sunsets paired with the great music scenes only a major city could foster. African rhythms, which inform so much of modern global music, have come full circle, too-and clubbers everywhere are vibing to the likes of Burna Boy and Afropop artist, Mr. Eazi.
Africans are among the most open and cosmopolitan folks on earth, straddling multiple continents and speaking several languages. There has never been a better moment to discover the urban hotspots of the earth’s second-largest continent. Raw, dynamic, simultaneously digital and earthy, this is the new frontier for true travelers. The only question is, which city do you visit first? The choices are many.
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Here are some of the best African cities to consider for your next trip:
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa's Cape Town, for instance, is often considered one of the world's most beautiful cities for its mix of natural beauty and buzzy atmosphere. Located at the base of Table Mountain and right on the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town has it all.
Cape Town is also culturally rich and home to a myriad of museums, galleries, and historical attractions, like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. When it comes to dining and shopping, Cape Town has excellent restaurants and contemporary shops. Expats can hike or take the cable car to the mountain’s summit for panoramic views and explore the vibrant V&A Waterfront with its bustling harbor and quirky shops.
Cosmopolitan Culture: Cape Town has a thriving art scene, with world-class museums. They can also visit the iconic penguin colony at Boulders Beach o have a very unique experience.
Cape Town Waterfront with Table Mountain in the distance
Marrakesh, Morocco
Morocco's fourth-largest city, Marrakesh is a mesmerizing place to visit filled with ancient architecture and modern culture. In the western part of the country, Marrakesh is home to a vibrant medieval walled medina, which dates back to the Berber Empire.
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Another one of Marrakesh's must-sees is the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, with its Moorish minaret that forms an integral part of the city skyline. Also don't miss new attractions like the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden and the galleries making up Marrakesh's burgeoning arts scene.
Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh
Cairo, Egypt
Right on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is a chaotic and bustling city that is also the largest in Egypt. It's dubbed the "city that never sleeps" - there is always something going on in this sprawling metropolis, where ancient culture meets modern skyscrapers.
Travelers come to Cairo to explore Egypt's long and storied history. Top Cairo attractions include the Egyptian Museum, which is filled with millennia worth of antiquities and artifacts, including mummified bodies of ancient rulers. The large, public Tahir Square with its central traffic circle is the heart of Cairo and also known as a location for political demonstrations.
Also nearby is Giza, where you'll find Egypt's most famous attractions: the iconic pyramids dating back to the 26th-century BCE and the Great Sphinx. Visit on a camel for sunrise or sunset.
Riding camels at the pyramids of Giza
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg, or Jo'burg as the locals call it, is South Africa's largest city and one of Africa's most wealthy and modern. Expect skyscrapers, world-class hotels, and a host of restaurants that can rival those in major western cities like New York. The city center is home to attractions like the not-to-be-missed Apartheid Museum.
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Johannesburg also offers a diverse culinary scene. From street food markets to fine dining experiences, the city can please all types of expats. Johannesburg also has a thriving nightlife in trendy bars and clubs. This economic powerhouse with a cosmopolitan energy has a vibrant art scene at Maboneng Precinct, where the Apartheid Museum is located. Expats can also admire the Nelson Mandela Bridge’s architectural marvel.
Adding even more clout to the city’s impressive creative roster is Thebe Magugu. The fashion designer, who garnered fame with his slinky printed dresses and heirloom shirts, opened Magugu House this year, his first brick and mortar in a heritage house in the city’s leafy Dunkeld neighborhood.
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, is a vibrant and unique destination with some of the best infrastructure on the African continent. One of the coolest facets of Nairobi is its accessibility to African wildlife safaris. Located just on the outskirts of the city center is Nairobi National Park, a game reserve famed for breeding endangered black rhinos.
It is also home to other animals, from zebras to lions and giraffes.
Zebras in Nairobi National Park with the Nairobi skyline in the distance
Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria's largest city, Lagos is also the country's richest metropolis and its financial epicenter. Lagos stretches inland from the Gulf of Guinea and across the Lagos Lagoon. Victoria Island is a popular destination for tourists, as it has some of the best beach resorts, lively restaurants, and shops and boutiques in the city.
Lagos can feel like a city that’s too fast to catch, too big to know, but in its community hubs, everything slows down. These spaces-whether a skatepark, a communal table, or an art gallery-are where Lagos reveals its softer side, the side that travelers rarely get to see but should seek out.
Other notable cities:
- Durban, South Africa: A haven for outdoor enthusiasts with iconic spots like uShaka Marine World and a vibrant Indian Quarter.
- Tunis, Tunisia: A city with a rich history, affordable living, and delicious cuisine.
- Casablanca, Morocco: Famed for its Hollywood glamour and modern energy.
- Kigali, Rwanda: Known for being one of Africa's cleanest cities.
- Essaouira, Morocco: A beautiful port city on the Atlantic coast, known as the "Wind City of Africa."
- Windhoek, Namibia: A safe, contemporary, and clean capital city with traditional German houses.
- Algiers, Algeria: A visually beautiful city with European and Arab influences, often referred to as the "Paris of North Africa."
- Accra, Ghana: A port city with gold-sand beaches and a tropical climate.
- Luxor, Egypt: A city with ancient monuments and tombs, including the Valley of the Kings.
- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Tanzania’s largest city and industrial hub.
- Fes, Morocco: Morocco's spiritual capital and the country's best city for historic sightseeing.
Top Destinations in Africa for 2025
Here are some of the top destinations in Africa for 2025, according to U.S. News:
- Tanzania
- Victoria Falls
- Serengeti National Park
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Zanzibar
- Cairo
- Cape Town
- Seychelles
- Malawi
- Madagascar
- Nairobi
- Rwanda
- Luxor
- Kruger National Park
- Marrakech
- Botswana
- Ghana
- Tunis
Living as an expat requires a lot of research and preparation. It is essential to familiarize oneself with the local culture. Learning the customs, and laws to ensure a smooth transition and successful integration into a new community will be helpful. Additionally, considering factors such as safety, infrastructure, and access to basic amenities is crucial for a comfortable and fulfilling expat experience.