There are 54 countries in Africa and 58 capital cities. While many African countries have only one capital city, South Africa has 3. All of these capital cities in Africa are beautiful in their unique ways, but others are considered to always top the list as the most beautiful.
The beauties of these capital cities are characterized by nature, man-made attraction centers, historical landmarks, and how well they have developed over time. Here are the top 15 most beautiful African capital cities based on popular opinion.
Most Beautiful Capital Cities in Africa
1. Cape Town and Pretoria, South Africa
Cape Town and Pretoria are 2 of the 3 capital cities in South Africa and are both known for their captivating scenery.
Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa. It is also often regarded as one of Africa’s most beautiful cities. The capital city is famous for housing some of South Africa’s major landmarks, such as Table Mountain, which is one of the oldest mountains and one of the 12 main energy centers in the world.
Other significant places and things that have contributed to Cape Town’s beauty include Boulder’s Beach, Clifton and Camps Bay Beaches, Kirstenbosch National Park, and Castle of Good Hope.
On the aspect of the other beautiful capital of South Africa, Pretoria houses all foreign embassies in the country. It is a place where Freedom Park, the National Library of South Africa, the Pioneer Museum, and the granite-structured Voortrekker Monument sit.
The town is also famous for its well-planned buildings as well as streets lined with Jacaranda trees. Little wonder it is one of the most visited African cities by tourists.
2. Cairo, Egypt
It is the capital of Egypt and the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East. For centuries, Cairo is also regarded as one of Africa’s most notable and beautiful cities.
In ancient times, Cairo was known for harboring Heliopolis’s great city and being at the Nile Valley’s junction. Modern Cairo is home to historic sites such as the Mosques of Ibn Tulun and al-Hakim, the 12th century built Citadel of Saladin, and ancient madrassahs and mausoleums.
It has other major landmarks such as Al-Azhar Park, Khan el-Khalil, and Cairo Tower, and the longest bridge in Africa, known as the 6th October Bridge.
The beauty of Cairo and its place in preserving some of Africa’s ancient major tourist attractions have contributed to Egypt’s place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Kigali, Rwanda
This African city is Africa’s cleanest and safest capital and the 3rd greenest in the world. It is a land of valleys and hills, historical sites, and modern architecture.
One of the major historical sites in Kigali is the Genocide Memorial which honors Rwandan genocide victims. Others are Camp Kigali Memorial and Belgian Peacemakers Memorial.
Other major things that have contributed to Kigali’s beauty include attractive cultural centers, art galleries, road networks, attractive vegetation, and hotels.
4. Abuja, Nigeria
It is located in the center of Nigeria, and it is widely known for being the capital city of the popular African country. Abuja is also recorded as the fastest-growing city in Africa.
The city is renowned for having great town planning that was created based on a master plan by the International Planning Association (IPA), a consortium of 3 American planning and architecture firms.
Also, the well-crafted road network of Abuja has contributed to its beauty. Other major landmarks are Zuma Rock, Central Bank of Nigeria Headquarters, Thought Pyramid Art Center, Jabi Boat Club, and Millenium Park.
5. Rabat, Morocco
Rabat was founded in the 12th Century and has since been a major city in Morocco, a northern African country. Morocco’s capital has stood its ground for years as a beautiful city in Africa.
The beauty of Rabat has made it one of the most visited places in Africa, with a reported yearly visit of over 8 million tourists.
Some of the major attractions in Rabat include the ancient unfinished tower of a mosque called Hassan Tower. Others are the Kasbah of the Udayas garden and museums, the National Zoo Rabat Morocco, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
6. Tunis, Tunisia
This beautiful African capital of Tunisia is known for its beaches, modern sites, and historical landmarks. These, among several other things, have landed Tunisia a spot among Africa’s most visited tourist countries.
Among the buildings include the Museum of Tunisian heritage and Carthage called Bardo National Museum, which houses the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world and marble statues representing the deities of the Roman emperors.
More on its fascinating architecture, Tunis houses one of Africa’s tallest buildings, EY Towers, which is 46.5 meters. It is also the home of a central thoroughfare called Avenue Habib, Tunis City Hall, and Dar El Jeld’s oasis of luxury.
7. Port Louis, Mauritius
Port Louis is Mauritius’s capital, Africa’s most developed country, with a 0.802 HDI in 2022.
The beautiful city is Mauritius’ economic, cultural, and political center. The city is known for harboring many monuments from the colonial era, some dating as far back as the 18th century.
Major landmarks that have contributed to Port Louis’ beauty are the eleventh five-tier colonial Port Louis Theater, a Chinatown, a historic landmark with hilltop vistas called Citadelle, a shopping center with handicrafts, and Champ de Mars Racecourse thoroughbred horse race track.
8. Victoria, Seychelles
The smallest capital city in the world, Victoria is also the largest city in Seychelles and one of the most attractive in Africa.
The city is famous for having beauty that cuts across natural and manmade things. Nature boasts of being surrounded by some of the most beautiful African islands.
Its beauty can also be linked to its Clock Tower, one of the few clock towers in Africa; Sir Selwyn Clarke Market, which is considered one of the most beautiful and colorful African markets.
Other places that contribute to the beauty of this capital city are the Victoria Botanical Gardens, Aruk Miu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, the National Museum of History, and the Bicentenary Monument.
9. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, remains one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. It is also regarded as one of the most developed cities in Africa.
It is the home of one of the tallest buildings in Africa, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Headquarters and NIB Bank Headquarters. It is also notable for its arts scene and great fashion scene.
Apart from its renowned road networks, among other beautiful things, it also has one of the most beautiful airports in Africa, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
It also has some notable beautiful places such as the National Museum, Red Terror Martyr Memorial Museum, Meskel Square, Ethnological Museum, and Unity Park.
10. Algiers, Algeria
It is the largest and capital city of Algeria. The city’s beauty, uniqueness, and historical preservation made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Much of the beauty of Algiers lies in its natural and historical markings. Its old town is often regarded as the most beautiful site in the Mediterranean. Algier’s Arabic city, Medina, is famed for ancient buildings such as Mosques and palaces.
11. Nairobi, Kenya
The city was founded in 1899 and became Kenya’s capital in 1902. It is known for its cool weather and harboring several international organizations’ African headquarters.
The capital city of Kenya is also known for having some of Africa’s major national parks, including the Nairobi National Park, Kenya’s first game reserve, and the only protected area in the world that sits close to a nation’s capital.
Nairobi boasts natural tourist attractions such as Karura Forest and Mount Suwa Conservative. Some manmade attractions in the city are 7 August Memorial Park, Uhuru Park, and some of Africa’s tallest buildings, such as Britam Tower and Nairobi Global Trade Centres Office Towers.
12. Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia’s capital and largest city, Windhoek, is a social, economic, and political center. It is a culturally inclined city, and this has contributed to its beauty through the National Art Gallery, museum, and national theater.
Its architecture is famous for being a significant attraction in Namibia. Among the many include the neo-classist building called Turnhalle. Others are the national war and heroes memorial, Heroes’ Acre, and Namibia Craft Centre.
See Also: 10 Mineral Resources Mainly Found In Africa
13. Accra, Ghana
Accra is Ghana’s capital and the largest city in the country. It houses a wide range of exotic hotels, malls, bars, natural reserves, and home of factories and many beauty to behold.
The city is also the site of the famous Kotoko International Airport, Shai Hills, mountains, Sakumo Lagoon, Densu Delta, and the Muni Pomadze.
14. Abidjan, Ivory Coast
It is the economic capital of Ivory Coast and the 6th most populous African country. The city is known for being industrialized and urbanized, with its beauty found majorly in its Plateau and Cocody districts. It is characterized by construction compared to the 1970s and 1980s European buildings.
Abidjan, which is also known as Manhattan of the tropics, Small Manhattan, or Pearl of the Lagoons, is credited with beautifying itself with major landmarks such as Banco National Park, which has ancient sacred wood, Bassam Beach, and Zoo d’Abidjan.
15. Dodoma, Tanzania
It is a major social and economic city in Tanzania and the country’s capital city. Focusing on its beauty, Dodoma, a city founded by German colonists, can boast natural reserves such as open woodlands.
Other famous places for sights and landmarks are the Gaddafi Mosque, Bunge Tanzania Parliament Buildings, Kondoa Rock-Art Sites, and J-Jamhuri Stadium.
