Travel+Leisure ranks Jerusalem 2nd best African, Middle Eastern city

“Friendly people, great food, and lively nightlife. Hard to find a place with as much history and diversity,” one Travel+Leisure reader said.

By World Israel News Staff 

Jerusalem has been ranked second in the category of “Best Cities in Africa and the Middle East” by Travel + Leisure, a travel magazine based in New York City.

The magazine says that “the results of our World’s Best Awards survey for 2019 made it clear that the criteria are very specific. A strong sense of historical and cultural identity is crucial, as is beautiful scenery. The food and shopping scenes are important, too. And the hotels, of course, must be world-class.”

Jerusalem placed second on this year’s list, said Travel + Leisure, with respondents “raving about the Old City’s extraordinary historical and cultural legacy.”

The magazine cites the words of one reader, who called the Israeli capital a “fascinating city.”

It’s “tragic, beautiful, rough around the edges. Friendly people, great food, and lively nightlife. Hard to find a place with as much history and diversity,” said the reader, as quoted by the magazine.

Jerusalem was topped only by Cape Town, South Africa, which was voted the best city in Africa and the Middle East for the 18th time, noted Travel +Leisure. Ranked third was Marrakesh, Morocco.

Tel Aviv finished sixth on the list after Fez, Morocco, and ranked above Essaouira, Morocco.

The magazine lists “5 things to do in Tel Aviv.” They include: admire the architecture; bike the seafront; explore Old Jaffa; dance the night away; and, share a plate of hummus.

The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel is listed sixth among the “10 Best City Hotels in North Africa and the Middle East.”

With an 11 percent increase in tourist entries in May 2019, Israel is on course to break the previous annual record set in 2018.