Move Over NYC, Cape Town's the Place to Be in 2025

Cape Town Crowned World's Top City in 2025 by Time Out

Forget New York, Paris, and London. There's a new city capturing hearts and minds around the globe: Cape Town. Time Out’s seventh annual survey of city dwellers has spoken, and for the first time ever, Cape Town has officially claimed the title of the best city in the world!

Every year, the top 50 cities in the world are ranked according to how locals feel about their city's beauty, charm, amenities and offerings. In 2024, Cape Town was a strong contender, landing in second place just behind New York. But now, the tides have shifted. In 2025, the Mother City has taken the crown, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

It’s no surprise that Cape Town has knocked it out of the park. A staggering 97% of locals say the city makes them happy, 82% describe it as beautiful, and 95% give a resounding thumbs up to the local food scene. With these kinds of stats, it’s clear why Cape Town is the go-to spot for anyone looking to live their best life.

Steeped in history and surrounded by jaw-dropping natural beauty, Cape Town is home to iconic Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Whether you’re soaking up the cosmopolitan vibe in the city, exploring the lush winelands, or unwinding on blue-flag beaches, there’s truly something for everyone here.

At Neighbourgood, we couldn’t be prouder to call Cape Town home. Our mission has always been to create spaces where good people come together and thrive, and we’ve been doing just that across the city with our living spaces, co-working spaces, and local experiences. In 2024 alone, we welcomed over 158,000 guests from all around the globe. Whether it’s locals or digital nomads escaping the cold of the northern hemisphere, our guests find something special in Cape Town, especially during the summer months. And trust us, they have a lot of fun while they’re here!

For those looking to truly immerse themselves in Cape Town’s local culture, Neighbourgood offers experiences that will leave you speechless. One of our favourites? The Peninsula Tour: A coastal road trip around the peninsula, where Cape Town slows down and shows off some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Think ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and maybe even a couple of dolphins throwing in a show.

It’s no secret that Cape Town had some fierce competition this year, with powerhouse cities like New York, Bangkok, Melbourne, and London all in the running. But the people have spoken, and Cape Town has officially reigned supreme. And guess what? Neighbourgood is on a mission to create connected spaces in other top cities around the world — starting with San Francisco, a city that shares Cape Town’s rich cultural heritage and artistic spirit.

We’re beyond excited to celebrate this coveted title, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands more guests to the Mother City in the year ahead. Whether you're looking for your perfect workspace, a creative sanctuary, or just a place to kick back and relax, Neighbourgood has you covered.

Here are the winners of Time Out’s Top 50 Cities in the World for 2025:

1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Bangkok, Thailand
3. New York, USA
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. London, UK
6. New Orleans, USA
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Porto, Portugal
9. Shanghai, China
10. Copenhagen, Denmark
11. Chicago, USA
12. Lisbon, Portugal
13. Edinburgh, UK
14. Hong Kong
15. Sydney, Australia
16. Amsterdam, Netherlands
17. Barcelona, Spain
18. Seville, Spain
19. Paris, France
20. Medellín, Colombia
21. Hanoi, Vietnam
22. Madrid, Spain
23. Berlin, Germany
24. Dubai, UAE
25. Singapore
26. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
27. Beijing, China
28. Chiang Mai, Thailand
29. Jakarta, Indonesia
30. Vienna, Austria
31. Tokyo, Japan
32. Marrakech, Morocco
33. Perth, Australia
34. Brighton, UK
35. Prague, Czech Republic
36. Glasgow, UK
37. Brisbane, Australia
38. Marseille, France
39. Budapest, Hungary
40. Los Angeles, USA
41. Lagos, Nigeria
42. Seoul, South Korea
43. Valencia, Spain
44. Montreal, Canada
45. Bilbao, Spain
46. Abu Dhabi, UAE
47. Belfast, UK
48. Bristol, UK
49. Mumbai, India
50. Warsaw, Poland