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10 best historic cities in Africa

Cities that have been a city for a millennium. The layers show.

Ranked by climate, cost of living, language access, safety, and lifestyle fit. Personalize this →

  1. #1

    Marrakech, Morocco

    100
    match

    Red-walled medina with souks, riads, and the High Atlas as a backdrop.

  2. #2

    Zanzibar, Tanzania

    100
    match

    Spice island in the Indian Ocean. Stone Town's twisted alleys, reefs offshore, slow days.

  3. #3

    Cairo, Egypt

    100
    match

    Megacity on the Nile. Pyramids on the suburbs, five thousand years of history layered everywhere.

  4. #4

    Essaouira, Morocco

    100
    match

    Windy Moroccan port. Blue-shuttered medina, kitesurfers in the bay, fresh sardines off the boats.

  5. #5

    Stellenbosch, South Africa

    100
    match

    Cape wine country university town. Oak-lined streets, granite mountains, world-class vineyards.

  6. #6

    Lamu, Kenya

    100
    match

    Swahili island town with no cars, only donkeys. Coral-rag mosques, dhow harbour, deeply slow.

  7. #7

    Tunis, Tunisia

    77
    match

    North African capital with a UNESCO medina, Mediterranean light, and Roman ruins down the road.

Historic cities in other regions

Other rankings in Africa