Exploring the arts is one of the best ways to discover contemporary African culture. And, in Africa, much like the rest of the world, contemporary culture and art flourish in urban centres. These are the best cities to visit in Africa for contemporary arts and culture.
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African safaris usually begin in large urban centres. Rather than an experience to endure, these dynamic metropolitans offer the perfect opportunity to experience contemporary African culture, art, and food.
Artists in Africa are particularly adept at creative innovation. They find a way to explore the world in new and exciting ways, and they are renowned for their use of vibrant colours and interesting perspectives. Exploring arts and culture in African cities is one of the best ways to experience these exciting destinations.
This blog post explores 6 of the best cities to visit in Africa and a few things to do to experience contemporary African culture. If you are more interested in the tribes of Africa and traditional African cultures see 9 Famous Tribes, their African Cultures & Traditions.
Johannesburg has a reputation that makes most travellers shudder in their boots for all the wrong reasons. However, Jo'burg has a vibrant art scene which means it is ranked as the best city in Africa according to the Creative Vibrancy Index for Africa (CVIA).
Whether you are looking to explore the past or find out what's new and hot, you will find some fantastic restaurants, excellent art galleries, museums, art precincts, theatres, and more in Jo'burg. The best way to experience these world-class attractions is to book a guide and put yourself in the hands of a local.
Those who do will be rewarded with wonderful, unique experiences in a dynamic city.
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Cape Town frequently ranks as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Table Mountain is breathtaking, and Cape Town has activities for every traveller, making it one of the best cities to visit in Africa. It also happens to be a fantastic destination for contemporary African culture and has some excellent historical highlights.
The city boasts art galleries that are gorgeous inside and out, that exhibit the best of what Africa has to offer, sculpture gardens in beautiful settings, and museums that illustrate Cape Town's history.
Between exploring Table Mountain and Cape Town’s phenomenal riches, it is worth exploring the cultural highlights that make Cape Town one of the best cities to visit in Africa.
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Tipped as one of Lonely Planets' best cities to visit in 2024, Nairobi has a reputation for its lively nightlife, innovative arts scene, and fantastic cultural interactions.
Read Dan’s Adventure in Kenya, for a first-hand account of fabulous Nairobi.
Nairobi’s traditional cultural mix is a unique blend of East African, Indian, Middle Eastern, and European influences. Kenya is also a magnet for artists displaced from around the region. As a result, in Nairobi, you will find different artists from around Africa that enrich the cultural landscape. The result is an exciting fusion that is African culture at its best.
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Look beyond the chaotic exterior, and Antananaviro is one of the best African cities to experience African culture with French, Indonesian, and Malagasy flair.
The capital city of Madagascar runs at a frenetic pace, and in the past has not been known for its art and culture scene. However, recently in Tana, as it is known to locals, the art scene has exploded. With exciting new contemporary art centres and concerted efforts by the director of arts and culture, Tana is transforming itself.
Visitors to Tana will discover a colourful city with a rich history and a new wave of artists with diverse cultural expressions. Add to this the surprisingly vibrant culinary scene that effortlessly blends French staples with Malagasy, Indonesian, and African flair, and Antananaviro is one of the best cities to visit in Africa for art and culture.
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Morocco has long been a destination for travellers from Europe looking for a colourful retreat.
So much so that Yves Saint Laurent said “This city taught me colour. Before that everything was black.”
Marrakesh is one of the best cities to visit in Africa for its burgeoning arts scene, dynamic galleries, and innovative museums. The new generation of Moroccan artists have chosen to work in Marrakesh which has become one of the best African cities for art and culture.
Beyond Moroccos’s famous souks, there is an impressive selection of galleries found throughout the city. From the chic Gueliz district through to the alleyways of the Medina where studios and galleries, opened by immigrant artists and designers, have turned this area into the unofficial design district.
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Kampala mirrors the African art boom sweeping across the continent as European and American collectors are exposed to the riches that African cities offer.
Kampala’s art scene is burgeoning, fuelled by the art school at Makerere University, the Kampala Art Biennale, and the establishment of the Contemporary Art Society of Uganda, whose aim is to bolster local art sales for artists as well as develop collections in the private and corporate sectors.
Popping up throughout Kampala, and supporting its place as one of the best African cities for arts and African culture, are excellent small galleries set up to promote local art.
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African cities are vibrant places that burst at the seams with creativity and innovation. With the help of the internet online galleries, and the annual East African Art Auction, the art world is waking up to Africa’s arts riches.
While travelling to Africa for a safari is a dream trip for many travellers, adding a few days in the best African cities to visit for art and culture can be hugely rewarding.
Talk to one of the experienced travel consultants at African Budget Safaris to discover more about the best cities to visit in Africa and where to experience African culture.
Explore these destinations mentioned in this post.
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