10 best cities to visit in Africa for city tours
African city tours may not always be on the radar of the average tourist, but those who visit have the chance to experience the ideal fusion of the ancient and the modern, wild and the urban. The African continent is home to 54 countries and has some of the world’s best cities to explore.
Many African cities are vibrant, diverse, and have culturally rich events against stunning scenery. Visitors can expect stylish hotels, delectable restaurants with global cuisine, and plenty of cultural attractions and adventurous things to do.
Each African city is unique and beautiful and worth a city tour. In no particular order, here are the 10 best cities to visit in Africa for city tours.
-
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and one of the continent’s most gorgeous towns. Located right on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is a bustling city that never sleeps. The city is a sprawling metropolis where ancient culture meets modern skyscrapers.
There are many things that Cairo is well-known for, but the impressive and well-known Pyramids of Giza stand out among them. Other top attractions include the Egyptian Museum, which has thousands of years’ worth of antiques and antiquities, including mummified bodies of ancient kings; The Tahir Square with a central traffic circle at the hub of Cairo, which is considered a frequent site for political protests; and finally the 187-meter-high Cairo Tower for panoramic city views.
-
Algiers, Algeria
The capital of Algeria, Algiers, is easily recognizable due to its striking and distinctive architecture, which combines Arabic and European influences. Referred to as the “Paris of North Africa,” Algiers is a physically stunning city with several stunning beaches on a bay on the Mediterranean coast.
Algiers is also considered one of the most stunning cities in Africa. The city’s architectural parade continues through the ages, passing huge minarets, glittering domes, Ottoman palaces, and beautiful mosaics.
The top attractions worth seeing are the Great Ketchaoua Mosque and the Catholic basilica, perched on a cliff face. The city’s old towns, Medina and Kasbah, also shine with distinctive old whitewashed buildings.
-
Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a dynamic and distinctive metropolis with some of the best infrastructures on the African continent. This stunning city is perfect for those seeking a little bit of everything on an African adventure. Nairobi has a healthy dose of culture and historical sites, wildlife, authentic food, and culinary prowess that one can find, along with a combination of modern skyscrapers and traditional Kenyan architecture.
One of the most outstanding features of Nairobi is that it is the only city with a national park. Nairobi National Park is located just on the outskirts of the city center, a game reserve famed for its diverse and abundant wildlife. The park is home to animals, such as zebras, lions, giraffes, and the endangered black rhinos.
Additionally, Nairobi generously blends its natural settings with contemporary architecture, historical institutions, various museums, and tribal culture, from an urban safari park to the Nairobi Botanical Gardens.
-
Cape Town, South Africa
Situated at the foot of Table Mountain and right on the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town in South Africa is one of the best cities for an African city tour. Cape Town is among the most beautiful African cities, with world-class restaurants, stunning white-sand beaches, and magnificent mountains encircling the city.
Cape Town features; the gorgeous Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, where one can see wild African penguins. An aerial cableway up Table Mountain for stunning views of the city. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27years. The world-renowned Constantia Valley wine region and finally, the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa
-
Johannesburg, South Africa
South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, is yet another best city for an African city tour. Situated on the Highveld, Johannesburg is one of Africa’s most wealthy and modern cities. As it continues to be rooted in the South African culture, Johannesburg has thrived as a cutting-edge, wealthy city.
The city center is home to international commerce, luxurious hotels, and incredible collections of museums that reflect South African history in all its triumphs, tragedies, artistic and cultural expressions. Some museums include the Apartheid Museum, the Gold Reef City Mine museum, and the Wits Origin Center museum.
-
Kigali, Rwanda
Famed as one of Africa’s cleanest cities, Rwanda’s capital Kigali is yet another beautiful city. Situated in the middle of the county, Kigali is a hilly city with buildings on ridges and accompanying valleys. The city’s thriving restaurant and entertainment scene blend its cultural feel.
Kigali offers a beautiful geographic location for visiting the Volcanoes National Park, where people travel to trek to view Rwanda’s mountain gorillas as it is just 2.5 hour drive away. The top attractions in Kigali include the Kigali Genocide memorial that has documented the horrifying mass executions in Rwanda’s civil conflict in 1994. Additionally, the Caplaki Craft Village is the best place to get traditional handicrafts such as wooden carvings, jewelry, and woven baskets.
-
Luxor, Egypt
The city of Luxor in southern Egypt sits on the east bank of the Nile River. Widely known as the world’s most incredible open-air museum, Luxor was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The city is home to some of Egypt’s most famous monuments, tombs, and temples.
Today Luxor is a bustling urban area mixed with modern life, ancient places, and Luxor temples, making it one of Africa’s most gorgeous cities. Some of the top attractions in the city of Luxor include the vast collection of palaces, Luxor, the temples of Karnak and Hatshepsut, the rock Tombs of the Valley of Kings, and the Tombs of the Pharaohs.
-
Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh, Morocco’s fourth largest city, is a beautiful place to tour, filled with ancient architecture and modern culture. The city stands as a symbol of North African culture, with the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden, the minaret of Koutoubia Mosque, and the galleries making up Marrakesh’s burgeoning art scene.
Marrakesh is famous for its markets, and Souk Semmarine is the largest. Here one can shop for rugs, leather goods, crockery, and silverware. Marrakesh is also a luxury city thanks to its famous palaces, charming riads, 5-star hotels, and luxury spas.
-
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Stone Town is not a sprawling city like the other cities in Africa; however, this small beautiful Swahili town is also one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. Surrounded by crystal blue waters, Stone town is an old coastal trading town located on the beautiful island of Zanzibar.
Stone Town is a simple place with enchanting alleys of colorful markets, carved wooden structures, and the historical sultan’s Palace. The synchronicity of countless red-tile roofs creates a mesmerizing panoply punctuated by wafting spice aromas from village markets and nearby farmlands.
10. Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and largest city. It is one of Africa’s clean, safe and easiest cities to navigate. Located in a beautiful valley, Windhoek features buildings reminiscent of the German architectural style. This city is home to a diverse range of contemporary conveniences, neo-baroque cathedrals, and indigenous people. Its Namibian peculiarity makes it a magnificent city that is worth visiting.
African city tours offer historic architectural marvels and distinctive cosmopolitan cultures.
