For many people, a holiday in Africa is synonymous with going on safari. And little wonder when you consider that this massive continent supports the world’s most impressive megafauna. But Africa is also home to some fascinating urban destinations. Some, such as Cairo, Marrakech and Cape Town, are well established and popular with tourists, while others are more remote or obscure.
Here we have taken on the tough task of selecting 20 of Africa’s best and most beautiful cities and towns. Some are notable for their historic architecture, others for their scenic setting, and others still for their contemporary urban life. A few offer all three. But in all cases, these cities are indisputably worth a visit.
1. Zanzibar Stone Town
Aerial view of Stone Town
Stone Town is the heart and soul of the legendary ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar, which lies just offshore from mainland Tanzania. This historical old quarter is an enclave of narrow alleys and 19th-century buildings set within the modern sprawl of Zanzibar City. It’s a great place to experience urban Swahili culture, to shop for ecofriendly products made in Zanzibar, and to enjoy sundowners and a cosmopolitan cuisine on the atmospheric Indian Ocean waterfront.
2. Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi skyline at sunset
There are more beautiful cities in Africa than Nairobi, but few beat the high-altitude capital of Kenya when it comes to modern amenities, accessible nightlife and domestic and international transport connections. The bordering Nairobi National Park is also one of the few places in the world where you can see free-ranging wildlife, including lions, giraffes and rhinos, below the shimmering skyscrapers of a tropical CBD.
19. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Aerial view of Dar es Salaam
Tanzania’s largest city and former capital is considerably more energetic than its Swahili name (literally ‘Haven of Peace’) might suggest. But the city center, with its wealth of German, Indian and Swahili architectural influences, can be fun to explore, while the outlying Msasani Peninsula is home to a great selection of seafront restaurants. Dar es Salaam lies within easy cruising distance of some fabulous beaches, and it’s a short plane or ferry hop from Zanzibar.
14. Kigali, Rwanda
Downtown Kigali
If you’re a fan of orderly cities, don’t miss the Rwandan capital Kigali, which was cited as a model of modern urban conservation when it was awarded the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in 2008. Known for its attractive hilly layout and low tolerance for litterbugs, Kigali is home to several interesting museums and memorials. It’s also the best air gateway for gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park
