What is Favorite Cities? Favorite? City? (s)?
Life is sometimes hard being such a well-liked and highly respected travel boy. Every time I try to leave the house, some randoms jump in my face to berate me with their foolish speak. And there’s only question that comes to their mind, or uh, at least for the purposes of this post!
What are your favorite cities, my GOAT?
What else can I do in these moments, fearing what a crazed fan might do to a life as young and beautiful as my own, if I don’t answer their questions. I just tell them, wait for the Blog! I make post! Real quick! (This post’s draft has been sitting in here for 10 months now)
In all seriousness, deciding my favorite cities wasn’t easy. At this point, I’ve been to quite a few amazing gems, stunning sights, all the hooplah. Still, what criteria goes into account when deciding a favorite? I made sure not to say best in the title, only favorite. That justifies partiality and suggests it’s connected to personal experience. But, how to quantify that against cities that may just objectively offer more? Well, dear reader, I’ve tried to strike a balance by uh, tryna strike a balance to decide my favorite cities! Wanna see the results?
Table of Contents
10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
I’m gonna start this list off with Buenos Aires! Argentina’s capital and largest city is also one of the biggest cities in the whole of the Americas. I wasn’t necessarily expecting Buenos Aires to become one of my favorie cities when I arrived there. It felt like a legend more than a tangible place. However, when you walk the quietly beautiful alleys of the Recoleta or try some dulce de leche at a chique covered market, you start to feel things, warm bubbly things… (That’s love for you newbies to it btw)
Of course, my reasons for coming to Buenos Aires in 2023 were not irrelevant either. Ya boi is a big time soccer enjoyer and I placed a lucky bet on the 2022 World Cup Final. Whichever country won, I would visit. Well whaddo ya know? It was Argentina. And months later, I was snapping picks of a somehow way waxier version of Messi lifting up the trophy amidst the rainbow patterns of La Boca. Months after that, I knew Buenos Aires had become one of my favorite cities.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- La Boca
- La Recoleta Cemetery
- La Casa Rosada
9. Yogyakarta, Indonesia
I have a more complicated relationship with Yogyakarta. Why you ask? Because of the complicated relationship I had while there! With a girl in this case, not with a city! I’m not yet a citysexual. Nevertheless, of all the cities on this list Yogyakarta is the one I spent the most time in. Because of that, I can’t deny that it’s one of my favorite cities now. I mean, between the zooming motorcycles lining the promenade on Malioboro Street, the stunning architecture of the Keraton, and the grand open spaces of the Alun Aluns, Jogja just has it! It’s brimming with Javanese culture, big enough to make a fun playground but small enough to give you peace and tranquility as well.
The relationship is without a doubt what brought a hopeless romantic like ya main duck to Yogyakarta but boatloads of pisang goreng and volcano views is what stole my heart. Speaking of that volcano, nature’s a big draw here too. All around, I got to explore the lush valleys, hills and slightly further off beaches which add to Jogja’s brilliance. And oh yeah, they say Jogja so I say Jogja too. I’m very culturally aware. If my love life at the time was not in the mud too, Yogyakarta would likely rank higher on here but oh well. Regardless of my trauma, Yogyakarta remains one of my favorite cities on this lovely planet.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Kota Gede
- Keraton
- Malioboro Street
8. Mexico City, Mexico
Ahh, Mexico City. Of all the cities on this list, it’s the one I spent the least time in actually. So how is it rubbing shoulders with my other favorite cities you ask? Because Mexico City is rubbing shoulders with greatness itself! It’s doing shoulder shrugs with Aztec legacy and colonial architectural marvels one shoulder each. Its shoulder pressing a vibrant nightlife and endearing food scene. And it shoulders the weight of being another of the biggest cities in the Americas. What’s that, no, scratch that, the biggest city in the Americas! And it still rocks!
Mexico City was a very last-minute decision for me. I needed to escape the cold and COVID of Canada at the time, so I crept two borders down to brighter pastures. What a decision that was! From gliding down eery waters at Xochimilco, elote in one hand, regrets long having left the other – to scaling the steps of the pyramids on nearby Teotihuacan, Mexico City really is one of those places that has something for everyone! I spent a whole day just scampering around, failing to see anything of note til the end and I still consider it one of my favorite cities. Even when you’re lost you find something worth the struggle.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Zocalo
- Xochimilco
- Téotihuacan
7. Moscow, Russia
I am a guy with weird tastes sometimes. And I could say that weird tastes sometimes arise in me when I see special things. I could also see that weirdness helps me find my favorite cities. What I’m trying to say is that I might be citysexual. When I walked the waterfront and see the shining lights and magnificent architecture of the Kremlin from afar, I felt things I didn’t know were possible from buildings. The wondrous art galleries, tasty blinis and grand parks couldn’t distract me from my lust for Moscow’s architecture.
In hindsight, I came to Russia at a great moment. It was right before COVID shut the world down but also before the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine shut the borders down. I don’t wanna endorse anything to do with that conflict or the government here. I’m just trying to see things from my personal time spent there and say Moscow lived up to the hype and became one of my favorite cities. Red Square, Gorky Park, Evolution Tower, the other Kremlin whose name I will now look up to spell correct. Izmailovo Kremlin! It’s lit! I got some fire kebab there! Yeah…
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Red Square
- Izmailovo Kremlin
- Moscow’s Metro Stations
6. New York City, USA
Finally, after more than two decades of being American, I reached the nation’s biggest city in 2022. To be honest, I’ve never been as interested in visiting places within the USA as I am in visiting other countries. I feel as though the exoticness is a bigger factor for me. Despite that trepidation, this city is too fire for an OG to ignore. It’s different enough for a West Coast boy like me and it’s got the legendary sights to back up the highest of hypes.
I started my tradition of listening to local rappers here. New York is easy for that of course. A tradition I took to New Orleans, Toronto and even South Africa. I was tryna see the projects but ended up spending most of my time in Manhattan. I’m a shallow, lame tourist I guess. I couldn’t resist standing outside forever like the Statue of Liberty, forgetting to poop so I could last long enough to see the ball drop for New Year’s at Time Square.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Central Park
- Liberty & Ellis Island
- Little Italy & Manhattan’s Chinatown
5. Rabat, Morocco
Rabat was the first of my favorite cities that came to mind when I decided to write this post. However, the more I removed personal bias and tried to see things somewhat objectively I knew I couldn’t quite place it at number 1. Don’t take that as to mean Rabat doesn’t deserve this place. Morocco’s often underrated capital is jam-packed with culture and history. From the Kasbah des Udayas to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V to the Royal Palace, Rabat delivers on all levels. Expect extensive modernity meeting traditional Moroccan charm.
I stayed here for a month while studying Arabic at Sprachcaffe. I was able to stay with a host family and got a much more intimate experience in Rabat than most other cities. With that in mind, naming it as one of my favorite cities was a no-brainer. Days spent studying right outside historic gates or chilling in the shade of the royal palace’s walls painted my memory. The quality of surf on the Atlantic Coast and delicious mint tea coloring tranquil spring nights justify Rabat’s prestige. Damn I am lowkey a poet, huh? You can answer huh btw.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Kasbah des Udayas
- Chellah
- Avenue Mohammed V
4. Istanbul, Turkiye
Istanbul is a city whose name needs no introduction. So I call it Istanbully instead. Because I love bullies. Okay no, but of course Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. It’s truly a world city. From the Romans, to the Byzantines, to the Ottomans to the modern Turkey, this city’s seen it all historically. As a result, this city’s got no shortage of big time attractions. There’s the goated Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace on one side and the iconic Galata Tower on the other side.
My time in the Bul (I call it that too) was tremendous. I stayed out all day watching cats for fun. That’s what I do. Duck activities I guess. But nah, Istanbul hit me hard and fast. It was as if every corner contained something more and more colorful and rich to see. I haven’t even mentioned the likes of Dolmabahce Palace and the neighborhoods of Fener and Bahçe with their vivid steps and ornately designed buildings. Not to mention my biggest love in the world: Kebab!
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Suleymaniye Mosque
- Sultanahmet Square
- Grand Bazaar
3. Kathmandu, Nepal
Almost a mythical city this, huh? At least to my ignorant American mind, geographically challenged as we often are. However, the more I prepared for my trip to Nepal, the more I saw of Kathmandu and the more I knew that it would join my list of favorite cities. Kathmandu is really like something out of another world, at least to someone like me who has never been to South Asia. The otherworldly architecture is only matched by a cultural and spiritual ambiance unmatched by any city these feet have ever graced.
Alright, enough with the big words. I visited Kathmandu on the cheap, another draw, and was thoroughly pulled in by it exoticness, vibrant architecture and uber friendly locals. Invited in by tour guides and travelers alike I had a blast blasting on motorcycle back through medieval corridors and up hills to Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples. Worth noting that Kathmandu is highly polluted but uh, it polluted me with its wonder. From Durbar Square to Boudhanath Stupa to Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu is undoubtedly one of my favorite cities.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Durbar Square
- Swayambhunath Temple
- Kopan Monastery
2. Cairo, Egypt
Ahh Cairo, my beloved, sweet Cairo. A lot of people might overlook this city. They say it’s crowded, polluted, badly designed. But for me it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. For a while it was number one. One of the big draws is undoubtedly Giza, situated nowadays connected to greater Cairo, it’s got some famous triangle things I forgot the name of. But Cairo is so much more. From the Ibn Tulun Mosque to the Fatimid Quarter to Hanging Church of Coptic Cairo and the City of the Dead, this city is on another level when it comes to grandeur.
I studied Arabic here, like Rabat. However, it was even more special for me. For one, I wasn’t totally traveling alone, thankfully sharing the city with a friend. Secondly and more importantly, we happened to arrive during Ramadhan and got to see a side of the culture we would have otherwise never seen. I remember meandering through mazes of unending traffic, then drowning out the sizzling afternoons with sobia given to us on random streets. Then, we’d smoke out the night destroying our lungs with free shisha. I also destroyed my camera in Cairo too, as you could probably tell from the quality of the photos here.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- The Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx
- Fatimid Cairo
- Coptic Cairo
1. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town tops the list of my favorite cities. It recently bumped Cairo. The decision was hard but loving Cape Town definitely isn’t. It has everything; accesibility, ease of life, cultural sights, historical sights, natural sights via mountains, beaches, parks and animals. Cape Town is a diverse city, almost a microcosm for the modern post-colonial world itself. To me, it felt at times very close to California; the weather and English. However, it wasn’t just English. Cape Town is decidedly African, featuring all of South Africa’s diverse indigenous groups. It’s also historically a hotbed for South Africa’s coloured culture. And let’s not forget the Asian influences found in areas like Bo Kaap.
Cape Town wasn’t going to originally be one of my favorite cities. In the end, it became my favorite city above the rest. Cape Town has given me too many memories to count. From my first tattoo to my first time at a shooting range, to reaching the tip of Africa, seeing penguins, climbing mountains and escaping baboons. I stayed there three weeks and never ran out of activities to fill the time. From Robben Island to the V&A Waterfront to the iconic Table Mountain, from District Six to the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town is overloaded with worthwhile destinations. That’s why, despite the hesitancy, it was always destined to top this list.
Can’t Miss These 3:
- Table Mountain
- Bo Kaap
- Cape of Good Hope
Conclu-zone
In the end, deciding one’s favorite cities is never easy. How to determine it? What to include? What to exclude? These are all pertinent questions to a travel blog-based grippa like myself. So, I tried. I tried to decide my favorite cities. Chances are this list could change if I thought about it another time. Hopefully, it would change as I travel more. Who knows? If you know better somehow, let me know. If you were surprised or triggered by some of these selections, let me know as well. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy all the world’s cities have to offer you!
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