With a phenomenal natural setting, Cape Town has been attracting travelers since the very first Europeans set foot on African soil in the fifteenth century. Today, South Africa’s ‘mother city’ remains one of the most loved destinations on Earth.
Its commanding location is dominated by Table Mountain, whose rotating cable car (aerial tramway) leads to views which stretch from Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s prison for many of his 27 years of incarceration, to the famed Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek.
Just an hour’s drive from the buzz of downtown Cape Town, the Cape Winelands marry wine tastings of exquisite vintages with further impressive landscapes. As South Africa’s second-oldest town, Stellenbosch boasts some of the country’s finest Cape Dutch architecture, alongside its wines, as does nearby Paarl. By contrast, Franschhoek is known for its high-end dining scene.
However, wherever you find yourself in Cape Town the food is universally impressive, offering up everything from traditional seaside fish and chips to the flavors of Asia with Cape Malay cuisine. The city’s list of attractions is equally diverse, ranging from the seventeenth-century Castle of Good Hope to Africa’s only mainland penguin colony at Boulders Beach in the Simon’s Town suburb.
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become a magnet for travelers and locals alike thanks to its blend of shopping, dining, and sights, including the Two Oceans Aquarium and Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA).
Meanwhile, the might of the waves off what was once known as the Cape of Storms demonstrates itself on the Cape Peninsula. The extraordinary natural diversity of the region simply blooms at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain – yet another unmissable Cape Town attraction.
Recommended Cape Town Tours
Recommended Cape Town Tours
South Africa Travel Guide
South Africa Tours & Safaris / South Africa FAQ / South Africa Weather / South Africa Accommodations
Top South Africa Travel Destinations
Johannesburg / Kruger National Park / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park / KwaZulu-Natal / Madikwe Game Reserve / Sabi Sand Game Reserve / The Garden Route
The Big Five
African Elephant / Cape Buffalo / Leopard / Lion / Rhino
