Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has been ranked as the top city to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet, a renowned travel firm based in the United States.
This recognition is part of Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2024” list, which highlights 10 destinations across four categories: countries, cities, sustainability, and value.
In the city rankings, Nairobi claimed the top spot, followed by Paris (France), Montreal (Canada), Mostar (Bosnia), and Philadelphia (USA).
The cities of Manaus (Brazil), Jakarta (Indonesia), Prague (Czech Republic), Izmir (Turkey), and Kansas City in Missouri, USA, rounded out the top ten.
Notably, Nairobi was the only African city to make the list.
Lonely Planet describes Nairobi as a global centre of culture brimming with unmissable travel experiences.
The city is praised for its dynamic array of restaurants, food carts, cafes, and a steady rotation of arts and cultural venues that contribute to a distinct “Nairobi cool.”
“Kenya’s capital is staking its claim as a global centre of culture, sizzling with unmissable travel experiences. The city is shrugging off the colonial gaze and embracing its unique rhythms, with a dynamic array of restaurants, food carts and cafes, along with a steady rotation of arts and cultural venues that all fuel a distinct Nairobi cool,” reads the Lonely Planet website.
The Nairobi National Park, teeming with wildlife and conveniently located near the city centre, adds to the city’s appeal.
According to Lonely Planet, some of Nairobi’s highlights include watching a performance of traditional music and dance at the Bomas of Kenya, walking through the Ngong Hills Forest at sunrise for views of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro, visiting the Nairobi National Park for a budget-friendly safari with the city’s evolving skyline as a backdrop, and climbing to the top of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for a 360-degree view of the city. It’s truly an unforgettable destination!
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024
Best Sustainable
1. Spain
2. Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
3. Greenland
4. Wales Trails
5. The Portuguese Way, Caminho Portgues de Santiago
6. Palau
7. Hokkaido, Japan
8. Ecuador
9. Baltic Trails of Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
10. South Africa’s Eco Lodges
Best Value
1. The Midwest, USA
2. Poland
3. Nicaragua
4. Danube Limes, Bulgaria & Romania
5. Normandy, France
6. Egypt
7. Ikaria, Greece
8. Algeria
9. Southern lakes & Central Otago, New Zealand
10. Night trains of Europe
Best Cities
1. Nairobi, Kenya
2. Paris, France
3. Montreal, Canada
4. Mostar, Bosnia
5. Philadelphia, USA
6. Manaus. Brazil
7. Jakarta, Indonesia
8. Prague, The Czech Republic
9. Izmir, Turkey
10. Kansas City, Missouri
Best Country:
1. Mongolia
2. India
3. Morocco
4. Chile
5. Benin
6. Mexico
7. Uzbekistan
8. Pakistan
9. Croatia
10. St Lucia
Best Region
1. Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route
2. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
3. Tuscany, Italy
4. Donegal, Ireland
5. Pais Vasco, Spain
6. Southern Thailand
7. Swahili Coast, Tanzania
8. Montana, USA
9. Saalfelden Leogang, Austria
10. Far North Scotland
