[Image: Flickr]
Paris topping the list? Groundbreaking. But here’s where it gets interesting: TimeOut’s updated cultural rankings don’t just hand out trophies to the usual suspects.
Among the 19 other cities lighting up the global culture map, two standout stars hail from Africa.
Cape Town and Marrakech have officially entered the chat, and they’re not here to play it safe. They’re here to shake things up – with colour, soul, spice, rhythm, and unapologetic authenticity.
Paris may still be the prom queen, but Cape Town and Marrakech are throwing the afterparty and everyone’s invited.
In the Mother City, a staggering 89% of locals gave this city a glowing thumbs-up for its cultural richness, and they’ve got the receipts to back it up.
Cape Town has got Kaapse Klopse, the outrageous and joyful New Year’s minstrel parade that floods the streets in technicolour chaos. Then there’s ArtsCape, First Thursdays, and of course, the Cape Town Jazz Festival, which attracts international headliners while keeping its local soul intact.
“Cape Town’s culture scene has seen an explosion of talent over the last few years,” says Time Out South Africa content director Andrew Hallett.
“Take Dweba Art & Cafe, a new resident of Longmarket Street, where artists fearlessly confront contemporary issues through diverse visual languages over a cup of coffee. We’ve seen an impressive run of stage shows, including Dear Evan Hansen, which local actor Stuart Brown shone in.”
We do love a moment for caffeine and culture to collide. Meanwhile, theatre buffs are in for a treat:
“We’ve seen an impressive run of stage shows, including Dear Evan Hansen, which local actor Stuart Brown shone in”.
And let’s not get started on the Bo-Kaap district, where rainbow-colored homes meet Cape Malay culinary tours. Throw in Robben Island and the District Six Museum, and you’ve got a city that doesn’t just entertain – it educates, agitates, and inspires.
Meanwhile, over in Morocco, Marrakech is proving that you also don’t need skyscrapers to soar culturally. With 68% of locals praising its vibrant scene, the city’s rise isn’t some TikTok trend, it’s the real deal.
Start in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the throbbing heart of the medina, where snake charmers, sizzling street food, and storytellers share the stage. But step beyond the square, and you’ll find a city that’s redefining tradition.
“Contemporary art gallery MACAAL has recently been revamped and showcases thought-provoking exhibitions, as does Comptoir des Mines Galerie,” says local expert Paula Hardy.
And the innovation doesn’t stop at gallery walls. Marrakech’s legendary riads are doing more than providing photogenic places to nap.
“Riads, too, contribute to the cultural conversation, hosting conversational salons, artist residencies and artist-led experiences. The best can be found at Dar Al Dall, Jnane Rumi and Riad Jardin Secret, who are behind soon-to-open gallery Rigotang.”
Then there’s the Marrakech International Film Festival, the edgy 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, the iconic Majorelle Garden, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum – a reminder that the city has always been where artistry meets aesthetic overload.
You could keep dreaming about Paris or Tokyo. Or you could go where the cultural magic is actually happening. In Cape Town and Marrakech, culture is alive, evolving, and electrifying.
Whether you’re jamming under Table Mountain or sipping mint tea in a riad courtyard while watching a spontaneous jam session break out, these cities don’t just show you culture, they make you feel it.
[Source: TimeOut]
