In a stunning new report by Remitly, African cities Accra and Lagos have been recognized among the world’s top ten most visually captivating cities when seen from the sky, with Accra and Lagos ranking 2nd and 6th, respectively.
This achievement places the two cities ahead of iconic destinations such as New York, Paris, and even Zurich, Switzerland.
Using advanced eye-tracking technology, Remitly’s study captured the reactions of 200 global participants as they viewed aerial images of cities worldwide. Each participant’s fixation time on these images was recorded, allowing researchers to compile a list of the most “eye-catching” cities. Remarkably, Accra captured viewers’ attention for an impressive 11 minutes and 3 seconds, while Lagos held viewers for 9 minutes and 12 seconds. Only Prague in the Czech Republic surpassed Accra’s viewership time, taking the top spot with 14 minutes and 8 seconds.
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Ryan Riley, Vice President of Marketing for EMEA and APAC at Remitly, highlighted the influence of a city’s first aerial view on a traveler’s initial impression. “Your first view of the city you’re visiting or moving to can set the tone for your new adventure. It’s just one of many first impressions,” he explained, pointing to the importance of the visual appeal that cities like Accra and Lagos offer from above.
The top ten most captivating cities in Remitly’s report include:
Rank |
Destination |
Total Focus Time (Minutes) |
1 |
Prague, Czech Republic |
14 mins 8 seconds |
2 |
Accra, Ghana |
11 mins 3 seconds |
3 |
Amsterdam, Netherlands |
10 mins 42 seconds |
4 |
Frankfurt, Germany |
10 mins 41 seconds |
5 |
Vienna, Austria |
9 mins 55 seconds |
6 |
Lagos, Nigeria |
9 mins 12 seconds |
7 |
Dublin, Ireland |
8 mins 59 seconds |
8 |
Singapore, Singapore |
8 mins 57 seconds |
9 |
Male, Maldives |
8 mins 11 seconds |
10 |
Zurich, Switzerland |
6 mins 27 seconds |
This study not only emphasizes the growing global admiration for African cities but also celebrates the unique, breathtaking charm they bring to the world stage. From the bustling streets of Lagos to Accra’s harmonious cityscape, these cities are capturing hearts—and eyes—around the world, proving that Africa’s urban landscapes are among the most captivating on the planet.