Icing on the Cape: Cape Town takes top spot in Which? world city survey

The consumer champion asked more than 1,500 members of its online panel to rate their experiences of world travel outside Europe over the last year, receiving feedback on almost 2,500 city visits. 

Locations were marked on seven criteria, including the quality of food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, ease of getting around and value for money. A city score was then calculated based on a combination of overall satisfaction and likeliness to recommend the destination.

Cape Town took first place with an impressive city score of 91 per cent. The city was a particular hit with foodies, receiving a five-star rating in the food and drink category, and also received five stars for shopping and overall value for money. One satisfied visitor said “I was amazed by the low cost of eating out in Cape Town versus London or New York. The food was exceptional,” while another enthused that “there are so many amazing things to do in Cape Town at such a very reasonable cost… it is a wonderful place to visit.”

The city also received four-star ratings for accommodation, and for cultural sights and attractions. The proximity of nature was particularly valued by respondents, who highlighted the spectacular scenery at the famous Table Mountain and penguins on Boulders Beach as high points. 

Close behind in second place is Kyoto, with a city score of 90 per cent. It is one of two Japanese cities at the top of the table, with the country's capital Tokyo taking joint fourth place with a city score of 86 per cent.

Historic Kyoto received a full five stars for its cultural sights and attractions, which include an astonishing 17 officially designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As the former imperial capital, Kyoto is a heritage lover's haven. As one respondent put it: “Few world cities have such a huge range of awe-inspiring sites.” 

The city also received five stars for food and drink, and four stars for overall value for money, ease of getting around, accommodation and shopping. 

Sydney took third place in the consumer champion's survey, with a city score of 88 per cent. 

The “buzzy and beautiful” Australian city received a full five-star rating for cultural sights and attractions, which include the world famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It also scored five stars for food and drink, with visitors singling out the quality of the fish market and even the local coffee.

It received five stars for ease of getting around, with multiple respondents noting it is easily walkable, and four stars for shopping. Summing up, one repeat visitor “it is one of the ‘must-see’ cities of the world.”

Chicago took joint fourth place, tied with Tokyo with a city score of 86 percent.

The Windy City received five stars for its cultural sights and attractions, with visitors praising its “atmospheric lakeside setting”, “pioneering skyscrapers” and “beautiful architecture”. It received four stars for food and drink and shopping, and three for value for money, lack of crowds, and accommodation. Tokyo meanwhile received five stars for food and drink, cultural sights and attractions and shopping, as well as four stars for accommodation, ease of getting around and value for money.  One visitor raved, “I just love the place, and it’s got everything, including the famed contrast between ultramodern and traditional”, while another lauded it as “one of the most unique and extraordinary cities in the world.”

Singapore took fifth place with a city score of 85 per cent, followed by Bangkok, Melbourne and Washington D.C, all tied on 84 per cent. At the other end of the table, Miami took last place with a meagre city score of just 56 per cent. Though famous for its sun-drenched beaches and vibrant nightlife, the city was dismissed as “overrated” by respondents, earning its highest score of three stars for the quality of shopping, and a clutch of one and two stars in the remaining categories, including just one star for cultural sights and for value for money. The latter was a particular bugbear for travellers, with respondents noting it was “very expensive compared to the UK” and “a total rip off”. 

“Brash, glitzy” Las Vegas was close behind with a city score 58 per cent. It scored no higher than two stars in any category, and just one star for cultural sights and attractions, lack of crowds and value for money. One disappointed traveller lamented: “It is fake in every way, incredibly expensive, with bad food and terrible transport options… it’s my least favourite city in the world.”

Los Angeles (62%), Seattle (64%) and Dubai (64%) completed the bottom five. 

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said:

“Some cities are one-trick ponies, but the standout destinations in this year’s survey have it all - each offering unique cultural sights, top-class food and drink, and even sublime scenery.

“In many cases, they are bargains too. Cape Town is probably the world holiday destination where your pound will go furthest, while the cost of a holiday in Japan for British travellers has tumbled in recent years thanks to a weaker yen against the pound - there has never been a better time to go.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

- Which? surveyed 1,556 members of its online panel between September and October 2024 about their experience visiting world cities, outside of Europe, in the past year. Results based on 2,485 holidays.

- City scores are based on a combination of overall satisfaction and how likely people are to recommend the city as a holiday destination.

- Full table of results can be found here.

About Which?

Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.

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