Africa’s Most Beautiful Cities and Towns

There’s already a lot to love about Cape Town, however, no visit would be complete without exploring its most colorful neighborhood, Bo-Kaap. Located at the base of Signal Hill visitors will come across a neighborhood painted in every color of the rainbow. The candy-coated homes were painted this way by freed slaves who were finally allowed to purchase and paint their homes however they pleased. Check out the Bo-Kaap Museum while in the area to learn more.

Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, is the ideal place to begin a countrywide adventure. The ultra-modern city is filled with world-class restaurants, museums, and plenty of shopping to keep visitors busy for days. Those looking to get in a little nature while staying in the city can also visit Nairobi National Park, which happens to be home to massive herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe, and other large game. From the city, travelers can also visit a number of excellent national parks on a safari adventure just a few hours drive or a quick charter flight away.

Stone Town, located on Unguja Island in Zanzibar, is a dream location for anyone looking to learn more about East Africa’s history. As one of the oldest living Swahili towns, the area is home to many buildings and monuments dating back to the 18th century. Thanks to the community’s efforts to retain the buildings the town was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As part of its introduction, UNESCO noted the community has “great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents, such as David Livingstone, conducted their campaign.” In Stone Town, visit the community’s lively market to eat a delicious meal and purchase goods from local vendors.

There is perhaps no more Instagrammable city in Africa than Chefchaouen in Morocco. The city, located in the northwest corner of the country in the Rif Mountains, has become a favorite among social media users and pleasure photographers alike thanks to its famous wall-to-wall blue buildings. Though several theories exist as to why the city is blue they all lead to it being a gorgeous place to find solitude from the more densely populated tourist destinations like Marrakesh and Fez. Come here to find a bit of respite, and to watch the sun come up or go down with a bit of mint tea.

For those travelers who’ve grown tired of the crowds in Santorini check out the stunning seaside community of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia. The city offers similar stunning views of the Mediterranean ocean and even comes with its own white-washed buildings with bright blue roofs. The town is also famous as a haven for creatives including artists like Paul Klee, author André Gide, and more. In town, visit its many art galleries, visit The Centre de Musiques et Méditerranéennes to learn more about Arab and Mediterranean music, and end the day with a local dish at any number of its restaurants that also happen to come with stellar views.

Located a mere 12 miles from the Ghana border visitors to the landlocked country of Burkina Faso will find the painted town of Tiébélé. Each building in the small community is painted in traditional patterns by the Kassena ethnic group, which has inhabited this village and the surrounding area since the 15th century. According to Atlas Obscura, the paintings are the handiwork of the women in the village, who use a lacquer made of beans to hand paint the designs. Getting there takes a bit of work, as buses to the community only run three days a week, but upon seeing the buildings you’ll realize the journey is well worth it.

Sure, Cairo gets a lot of attention, but those seeking a deeper dive into Egypt’s history should head to Luxor, the country’s ancient capital. The modern city, which is home to some 450,000 people, is built around the site of the ancient city of Thebes. The city still holds relics and buildings dating back to 3,200 BC, when the city was first inhabited. In Luxor, guests will find plenty of places to immerse themselves in history including the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum, and the Luxor Temple. Though there are plenty of ways to get to Luxor the best way may be taking a river cruise down The Nile. That way, you’ll get to experience everything Egypt has to offer before ending your journey in this ancient place.

Though the island nation of Mauritius is best known for its stunning beaches its capital city of Port Louis should not be overlooked. In Port Louis, travelers will find plenty of historic and cultural treasures such as the Place d’Armes, the statue of one of its founding fathers, Mahe de la Bourdonnais, the Government House, the Natural History Museum, and more. While in the city guests shouldn’t miss shopping at The Caudan Waterfront, which offers up deals from high-end designers from across the globe. Guests also can’t leave before eating in Port Louis’ own China Town, which was founded in the 1780s.

Flying in and out of Namibia means spending a day or so in its capital, Windhoek. But, don’t think of this place as a mere stopover, as it’s a destination worth seeing in its own right. In Windhoek, travelers can experience an introduction to African art at the Namibian Craft Center where they will find more than 40 stores ready to sell you some goods. Visitors can also spend time at the Independence Memorial Museum, find a quiet place at the National Botanic Garden of Namibia, and even get a taste safari life at the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, located just 15 miles outside of town.

Located directly on the shores of the Mediterranean travelers will find the city of Algiers. In the city, guests can choose between relaxing on the beaches or getting a little history lesson in places like Casbah, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Casbah neighborhood, guests can explore their way through the narrow streets, where they will find a plethora of local art galleries, museums, mosques, and more. Though mostly safe, it may be a good idea to hire a guide to take you through the neighborhood. This way, travelers can not only stay safe but will also find all the best places to see and learn in Algiers, too.