Why Cape Town Keeps Winning: The Inside Story Behind Back-to-Back International Awards

Cape Town has done it again. In Travel + Leisure’s 2025 “World’s Best Awards,” Cape Town was named the Reader’s Favourite City in Africa and the Middle East, edging out iconic destinations like Marrakesh, Petra, and Dubai. Unsurprisingly, this isn’t the Mother City’s only accolade this year. The Telegraph has hailed it the Best City in the World for the seventh year running – as did Time Out – while The Times listed it as one of the world’s top picks for affordable, luxurious holidaying.

So, what keeps the world returning to Cape Town (and voting for it) with such conviction?

Four charms of Travel + Leisure’s Top-Rated City

“Cape Town doesn’t simply accommodate visitors,” says Tyler Windell, Hotel Manager of the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel. “It entices, invites, welcomes, and captivates them.”
Although Table Mountain is breathtaking at golden hour, and the curve of the Atlantic coastline from Chapman’s Peak is truly postcard-perfect, these are also the backdrop to something deeper… a city alive with rhythm, contrast, and soul.

1. A heritage of hopeful and hospitable people

One of the standout compliments from Travel + Leisure voters refers to Cape Town’s “friendly and welcoming” people. And it’s no wonder. From the humble hustle of the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood to a late afternoon amble through the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town’s spirit is stitched into every street-side café and curio boutique. It’s in the warm greeting from a gallery owner, the buzz of a Saturday market, and the easy laughter between strangers watching rugby at the local.

Just a short stroll from Cape Cadogan’s front door, Kloof Street itself is a cultural icon. Blending the very best of South African heritage into a stretch of eclectic experiences, you’ll find a mix of old stone buildings and new energy, brimming with designer outlets, vibrant restaurants, and knick-knack emporiums for young and old. Places like this, found all across the city, possess an ambience that breathes, “everyone is welcome here” ... and that is what the world’s most travelled tourists find so irresistible.

2. Aromas and flavours in every corner

The Cape’s culinary scene is truly special. Rather than relying on fine dining alone, or the wine farm experiences scattered across the countryside, Cape Town offers something far richer: abundant variety. There’s a flavour waiting in every corner of the city, from beloved local bakeries in Oranjezicht to bold, spice-forward dishes in the city’s melting-pot eateries.

Foodies could spend a lifetime exploring Cape Town’s destination restaurants, and Upper Union is no exception. Our heritage home turned restaurant serves globally inspired dishes, each crafted by Executive Chef Amori Burger. The menu is stylish, but not showy; comforting, but never ordinary; designed for sharing but impeccably prepared for unique palates and preferences.

Menu highlights include the signature Kubaneh bread, a nod to Yemeni traditions, and inventive small plates like shuwa lamb shoulder – a wintry delight with sweet potato and pimento zhug. Upper Union strikes a balance between elegance and warmth, making it a must-visit for those in search of shared culinary memories on their journey through Cape Town.

3. Wine, wildlife, and world-class wonders

Naturally, wine plays a part in Cape Town’s many wins. The Cape Winelands remain one of the most unique wine regions in the world, where rolling vineyards and contemporary cellars produce globally recognised blends.
Yet, alongside the vines are penguins, fynbos-covered trails, and even Big Five safaris. Here, you’ll find the only major city in the world where mountain, ocean, vineyard and bushveld all come together… often in a single weekend.

4. Five-star travel, at a fraction of the cost

One final note in Cape Town’s favour is its value for money. While luxury is often out of reach in other exotic locations, Cape Town remains an international outlier for world-class experiences at prices that favour the dollar, euro and pound… and even the local rand – proof that refinement and budget aren’t mutually exclusive here.

Cape Town delivers everything a traveller could hope for. Perhaps that’s the secret behind the city’s back-to-back international wins: It’s more than just a good impression. Cape Town’s visitors reluctantly leave with a lingering longing to return, again and again.