Cape Town Ranks Third in Wanderlust Reader Awards
The South African city climbed from fourth place last year among more than 251,000 voting readers.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Africa
Cape Town was named the third most desirable city in the world in the 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, up from fourth place in 2025. Tokyo and Buenos Aires ranked first and second in the 2026 awards.
Why it matters
The ranking reflects reader preferences drawn from more than 8.2 million votes cast by travelers, offering a signal of which destinations are drawing renewed interest. For travelers planning trips, it highlights Cape Town as a city gaining ground in global popularity rankings.
The ranking is based on votes from more than 251,000 Wanderlust readers, who cast over 8.2 million votes across the awards. Cape Town's rise from fourth to third is a one-place change, and the drivers behind that movement were not detailed in the source.
The players
Wanderlust
Wanderlust is the UK's longest-running and largest travel magazine by circulation, known for its destination coverage and annual reader awards.
The Duke of Sussex
The Duke of Sussex is a member of the British royal family who delivered the keynote address at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards ceremony in London.
The details
Wanderlust, the UK's longest-running and largest travel magazine by circulation, ran the 25th edition of its Reader Travel Awards, with readers voting to rank cities. Cape Town placed ahead of Sydney, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Montréal, and winners were announced at a London ceremony during World Travel Market week, where the Duke of Sussex delivered the keynote address.
Timeline
2025: Cape Town ranked fourth in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.
2026: Cape Town ranked third in the 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, announced at a London ceremony during World Travel Market week.
Travel Outlook
Cape Town's move from fourth to third in the 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards continues the annual reader-voted city ranking that has tracked shifting destination popularity. Its placement ahead of Sydney, Vancouver, Hong Kong and Montréal reflects how reader votes can reorder established global city destinations from one year to the next.
Travelers considering Cape Town can use the city's rise in reader rankings as one input when comparing destinations for an upcoming trip. The source does not provide booking, pricing or seasonal details, so further planning information would need to come from other sources.
The takeaway
Reader-voted rankings like the Wanderlust awards can shift quickly, and Cape Town's climb shows how a single year can move a destination up the list. Travelers comparing cities may find such reader-driven rankings useful alongside other planning resources.
Further reading
For more on destinations across the continent, explore the Africa travel section.
