For those looking for an urban escape, Time Out’s annual list of the world’s best cities gives 50 suggestions.

So which destination came out on top this year?

“Where else can you visit a colony of African penguins, taste world-class wines, stroll Blue Flag beaches, take in views from one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and experience a vibrant nightlife — all in one day?» asks Time Out, whose list is published by CCN.

The answer is of course Cape Town, which scored highly across the board.

“Steeped in history and cultural significance, Cape Town offers visitors a wealth of options to learn, explore and have fun, all without breaking the bank.,” says Time Out of South Africa’s oldest city.

Why Cape Town is one of the most exciting cities in the world

To compile the annual list, the company surveyed more than 18,500 city dwellers, as well as its own team of 100 experts. They were asked for information on topics that are close to travelers’ hearts, such as food, nightlife, culture, affordability, livability and the overall vibe of the city.

Time Out then combined all the data – a total of 44 different criteria – to rank the world’s 50 best cities for 2025.

“From affordability to access to nature, sustainability was a key factor in our survey this year,” said Grace Beard, Time Out travel editor.

“This list not only showcases the world’s most exciting cities to visit in 2025, where world-class culture, fine dining and exciting nightlife are around every corner, but also reflects the places where locals feel most at home their”.

In Cape Town, Time Out recommends visitors experience the city’s fishing culture at trendy Kalk Bay or head to the eastern city.

As for enjoying some of the great outdoors the city is famous for, the media brand suggests travelers visit the stunning Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Bangkok: “Famously Friendly, Culturally Rich”

Because summer is the best season for Thailand’s famous mango and rice
Coming in at number two on the 2025 list, which was revealed on Wednesday, is a city that has long been popular with global travelers – Bangkok.

The Thai capital “checks every box for a great city: famously friendly, culturally rich and packed with iconic sites like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace,” says Time Out.

Unsurprisingly, Bangkok’s world-renowned food scene ranked highly among respondents, with Time Out saying 86% of locals said the food in Bangkok was “good” or “amazing” and 84% he says eating out is affordable.

Last year’s winner, New York City, dropped to a still-impressive number three in 2025, with Time Out noting that 78% of New Yorkers described the city as exciting, “the highest percentage of any city surveyed.” Meanwhile, 92% of respondents approved of the world-class arts and culture scene.

“From iconic attractions like the Edge, the northern hemisphere’s highest observation deck, to vibrant neighborhoods like Riverdale and Coney Island, the city truly has it all,” says the media company.

Number four on the list is Melbourne, which happens to be home to Time Out’s “World’s Coolest Street” for 2024. The Australian seaside city earns top marks in the ‘restaurants and dining out’ category as well as ‘culture’, the brand says.

The fifth place was won by London, which according to Time Out remains one of the best cities in the world, “thanks to vibrant cuisine, iconic pubs, unparalleled shopping and diverse communities».

Rounding out the top 10 on the list are New Orleans, Mexico City, Porto, Shanghai and Copenhagen. As for the full list, two other US cities join New York and New Orleans in the top 50: Chicago (11) and Los Angeles (40).

For more on the cities that made this year’s list, visit Timeout.

Time Out’s 50 best cities in the world for 2025

  1. Cape Town, South Africa
  2. Bangkok, Thailand
  3. New York, USA
  4. Melbourne, Australia
  5. London, United Kingdom
  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, United Kingdom
  14. Hong Kong
  15. Sydney, Australia
  16. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  17. Barcelona, ​​Spain
  18. Seville, Spain
  19. Paris, France
  20. Medellin, 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. Marrakesh, Morocco
  33. Perth, Australia
  34. Brighton, United Kingdom
  35. Prague, Czech Republic
  36. Glasgow, United Kingdom
  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, United Kingdom
  48. Bristol, United Kingdom
  49. Mumbai, India
  50. Warsaw, Poland