The Mother City keeps flying the rainbow flag high!
Cape Town, South Africa (09 March 2026) – Cape Town has just been named Best LGBTQ+ City Destination at the 2026 SPARTACUS Travel Awards in Berlin!
It’s one of the most influential honours in LGBTQ+ travel, held annually alongside the ITB Berlin travel trade show. The awards, presented by the publishers of the SPARTACUS Gay Travel Index, recognise worldwide destinations known to promote equality, diversity, and inclusive travel.
Cape Town Tourism’s Chief Marketing Officer, Briony Brookes, accepted the award at the ceremony in Germany’s capital city.
“Cape Town is a city where people can genuinely be themselves. From our vibrant queer community and inclusive spaces to the excitement of our neighbourhoods, beaches, and nightlife, this award honours the spirit of openness that locals and visitors experience here every day.” said Brookes.
It’s a title the Mother City has been earning for years. South Africa was the first country in Africa to enshrine protections for sexual orientation in its Constitution, and Cape Town has long been flying the rainbow flag.
Last year, over a million travellers surveyed by Big 7 Travel ranked Cape Town among the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the world!
De Waterkant is the city’s LGBTQ+ hub with gay-owned bars, cafes, shops and gyms, the iconic rainbow pedestrian crossing on Somerset Road, and a Pink Route that guides visitors through the area’s proud queer culture!
This year, Cape Town Pride filled the city’s calendar and ended off with a bang, with Mardi Gras, said to have been the biggest pride event the city has ever seen!
The award comes hot on the heels of the announcement that in 2028, Cape Town will host WorldPride! The celebration brings together millions of people from across the world for a weeks-long programme of Pride marches, events, human rights conferences, and community gatherings. It will be the first time WorldPride has ever been held in Africa.
“This is a proud achievement for Cape Town and a powerful reminder of what makes our city special – diversity, openness, and a spirit of inclusion. As we prepare to host WorldPride 2028, it is more vital than ever that we continue creating a destination where LGBTQ+ travellers feel celebrated, safe, and inspired to explore all that Cape Town has to offer.” says Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, James Vos.
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