A city in South Africa is among the top 10 arts and culture destinations in 2026.

Written by: Ayman Ragab

Cape Town has continued to enhance its global cultural standing, ranking fifth in Time Out magazine’s list of the 20 best cities for arts and culture in 2026, thanks to its diverse and evolving arts scene that combines African creativity with modern cultural events.

This year's rankings were topped by London in first place, followed by Paris, then New York, while Berlin came in fourth, just ahead of Cape Town.

Survey of more than 24,000 people

Time Out magazine based its list on a survey of more than 24,000 people from over 150 cities around the world, to assess the quality of the local cultural scene and the availability of affordable arts activities, along with contributions from a panel of editors and cultural experts.

Celine Brophy, Time Out's Cape Town editor, said the city is experiencing a remarkable artistic and cultural boom, noting that African creativity is clearly embodied in the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and the Norval Foundation's Contemporary Sculpture Park.

She added that the city offers unique cultural experiences, including performances by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra inside City Hall, which features a bronze statue of the late South African President Nelson Mandela commemorating his first speech after his release from prison.

Other cultural landmarks such as the Lapia Theatre, the Baxter Theatre and the Artscape Theatre have also emerged as some of the city's most prominent arts destinations.

London is the best city for arts and culture.

Brophy explained that 2026 is an exceptional year for the arts in Cape Town, with the launch of new cultural events such as the interactive digital exhibition “Luminocity”, in addition to the release of “Emotions of the Sun” in collaboration with Magnum Photos.

A Time Out survey revealed that 84% of Cape Town residents expressed satisfaction with the arts and culture scene in their city, while 60% felt that arts and culture were available at reasonable costs.

Participants also considered festivals and live music to be among the city's greatest strengths.

Regarding the top city, the magazine confirmed that London maintained its position as the best city for arts and culture in the world thanks to its free museums, thriving theatre scene, and wide cultural diversity.

Joe McCurrytish, UK editor at Time Out, said that London boasts a unique mix of world-class restaurants, historic landmarks, and vibrant neighborhoods, as well as a wealth of free museums and galleries.

New cultural destinations during 2026

He noted that the city is preparing to open a number of new cultural destinations during 2026, including the Quentin Blake Illustration Centre in Clerkenwell, the new Museum of Youth Culture in Camden Town, as well as the reopening of the Museum of London at its new location in Smithfield.

The survey results showed that 99% of Londoners described the cultural scene in the British capital as “good” or “amazing,” while 60% felt that arts and culture in the city remained accessible to everyone despite the high cost of living.