Cape Town took first place in Time Out magazine's list of the 50 best cities for 2025. The ranking included metropolises from various continents, but most awards went to Europe. One also to Poland.
The best city to live and visit this year is Cape Town, according to Time Out magazine's ranking published on Wednesday. The ranking was based on the results of a survey conducted among over 18,000 residents of various cities. They were asked about “everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability and the overall atmosphere of the city.” Experts' opinions and their opinions on places particularly interesting for tourists were also taken into account.
“Quality of life (in the city) was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is also naturally a great city to visit,” the magazine explains. The capital South Africa he describes it as a city “steeped in history and culture” that offers visitors “plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun” without breaking the bank.
Cape Town, the capital of South AfricaKatae.Olaree/Shutterstock
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50 best cities
Apart from Cape Town, Time Out also places Bangkok and New York on the podium. “If there were a list of criteria that make a city great, Bangkok would meet all of them,” writes Time Out, praising the capital Thailand for the architecture, greenery, cuisine, culture, history and cheerful disposition of the inhabitants. The magazine appreciates New York primarily for its rich nightlife and cultural life. “It seems like everything is possible here, because it is!” – he convinces. He also lists Melbourne and London in the top five of his ranking. Next he places New Orleans, MexicoPorto, Shanghai and Copenhagen.
However, the largest number of cities in the Time Out ranking were from Europe. They occupy as many as 22 out of all 50 positions. The magazine is distinguished by, among others: Lisbon, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Seville, as well as Paris, Madrid and Berlin. There was also a Polish accent in the ranking.
Time Out appreciates Warsaw Shutterstock
Warsaw took 50th place. “Masterfully combining the old with the new, Warsaw is now one of the most exciting cities to visit in Europe,” says Time Out. He writes highly of the “charming” Warsaw Old Town and the “impressive” Royal Castle. “Warsaw's ever-expanding skyline is one of the most eclectic on the continent, and the socialist Palace of Culture and Science is adjacent to the ultra-modern Varso Tower skyscraper,” the magazine continues. He also praises the capital of Poland for its “beautiful green areas”.
Main photo source: Shutterstock