Which? recently conducted a poll to find the best cities to visit outside Europe. The consumer champion and reviewer asked a panel of more than 1,500 members to provide feedback on around 2,500 cities. It used the results to rank each city using seven specific criteria, including:
- Quality of food and drink
- Cultural sights and tourist attractions
- Ease of getting around
- Value for money
- Likelihood of recommending.
So, if you’re looking for a city destination for your summer getaway, look no further than our rundown of some of the Which? survey’s top picks.
1. Cape Town, South Africa (91%)
Of the 2,500 cities put forward by voters, South Africa’s capital was one of only a handful of cities to receive full marks for dining. From elegant French-inspired cuisine to international seafood restaurants and those showcasing local delicacies (particularly in the Bo-Kaap district), Cape Town really does have something for every gourmand.
Not only is world-class cuisine paired with the region’s showstopping wines, but voters also applauded the city’s value for money.
And Cape Town’s scenery is arguably the greatest bargain of all. From its hiking trails and the dramatic panorama of Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope to its stunning beaches, you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy the geography of this beautiful city.
There’s plenty of culture too. Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art for a wide range of work celebrating African artists. Or delve into recent history at the District Six Museum on apartheid.
2. Kyoto, Japan (90%)
Kyoto finished two places above Japan’s capital, largely thanks to its ancient history and the natural wonder of its cherry blossom, whose blooming attracts huge crowds in March and April.
With 17 Unesco world heritage sites, you’ll have your work cut out to visit them all, especially if you want to do so in relative calm. Weekday mornings are usually best for this. Visit the “Golden Pavilion” (Kinkaku-ji Temple) and the “Zen” gardens, the most famous of which is found at Ryoan-ji Temple.
Elsewhere, you’ll find time to relax and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, see geishas on Shimbashi street, or be mesmerised by the towering plants of Arishiyama Bamboo Grove.
To see a completely different side of Japan, consider a trip to its capital. Finishing in joint fourth with a survey score of 86%, in Tokyo, you’ll find an incredibly modern and vibrant city full of a culture and nightlife all its own.
3. Sydney, Australia (88%)
While Sydney has suffered something of a fall from grace, having previously occupied the Which? top spot, the city remains in a very respectable third place, scoring 88% overall.
Sydney is a city of culture, exemplified by the bucket-list vista of its Harbour Bridge and Opera House. But there’s plenty more to see besides.
For art and history lovers, enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Yiribana Aboriginal Gallery. There’s also the Royal Botanic Gardens to explore, and for surfers and those looking for a tan, Bondi Beach and the ferry to Manly.
If you’re looking for world cuisine, you’ll be in luck too. In the back streets of Marrickville, you’ll find Baba’s Place and its riff on “suburban cuisine”. The district is also home to some great independent breweries.
Neptune’s Grotto, meanwhile, is an Italian-themed restaurant housed in a candle-lit cave in the heart of the city’s central business district.
4. Chicago, USA (86%)
Chicago finished joint fourth in the Which? list behind Sydney and tied with Tokyo.
A river cruise might be the best way to appreciate the architecture of the city’s art deco and glass skyscrapers, while a trip to the top of the Hancock Tower will reward you with incredible panoramic views of the cityscape. And for the particularly brave, try the TILT ride, which allows you to lean out over a 1,030-foot drop for a truly unobscured view.
The city has more than 100 skyscrapers that inch toward the shore of Lake Michigan, which provides the perfect backdrop.
Elsewhere in the city, you’ll find a relaxed but atmospheric downtown, Wrigley Field, home to the city’s Cubs baseball team, and an incredible music scene. A visit to Buddy Guy’s Legends is a must for blues fans.
5. Singapore (85%)
An island and city-state known as the “Garden City”, Singapore rounded off the Which? top five.
Prioritising the wellbeing of its inhabitants, the city is one of the greenest urban environments in Southeast Asia. Cyclists are given priority over cars and nature-oriented spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Unesco-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens offer residents and visitors a serene escape from the bustle of city life.
You might also visit Gardens by the Bay, an urban park in the city’s downtown area that boasts an impressive collection of more than 1.5 million plants from across the globe.
Post-Covid, Singapore nightlife has slowed somewhat, but there are still plenty of opportunities to experience the best of Southeast Asian cuisine. And if you wait until October, you might be just in time to experience the Singapore Grand Prix, which had the honour of being the inaugural F1 night race and first street circuit in Asia designed specifically for Formula One.
