has done the math (well, asked the experts) and crowned the coolest neighbourhoods across the planet once again for 2025. Based on culture, nightlife and food, plus many other factors that make a city shine, this year’s list is packed with underrated gems and thriving arty quarters.
Alongside destinations in the Americas, Oceania, Europe and Asia, two African cities made the top 39 list. So, if you’re looking for a base for your next trip to the continent, these neighbourhoods should be on your radar.
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First up is Labone in Accra, ranked tenth on the global ranking. Once a quiet residential district known for its bungalows and mango trees, it’s now one of the Ghanaian capital’s liveliest districts.
Here you’ll find luxury shops, bookstores, and even the chance to pour your own scented candles at the Labone Social Club. A standout new arrival is Limbo, a design and architecture museum housed in a once-abandoned brutalist estate.
By night, Labone truly comes alive. After dining at one of the neighbourhood’s many restaurants (try Vine and Brasa for local cuisine), take advantage of the happy hours in the pubs before dancing under the atmospheric tree canopy at Zen Garden, where live music runs late into the evening.
The second African neighbourhood to get a nod on the list is Linden in Johannesburg, at number 17. This is where the old meets new: mid-century homes have now been transformed into quirky boutiques, artisan bakeries and some of the city’s best coffee spots.
Leafy and laid-back, one local described Linden to as ‘capturing the true essence of a quiet community’, where languid afternoons are best spent eating ice creams at FAB Diner or admiring the artistry at creative studios like Potted Glass Studio. The neighbourhood also hosts a quarterly two-day fair at Linden Market, where local makers, food stalls, and live music bring the whole area to life.
So whether you want to party until the small hours or peruse vintage shops, Labone and Linden prove Africa’s coolest corners are ready to rival anywhere in the world.
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