Place to Visit: Cape Town

Africa's Mother City

Western Cape, South Africa

Situated in the far southwest corner of Africa, the commendations for Cape Town are many - "Africa's leading destination"; "Best travel destination in Africa and the Middle East"; "One of the world's top 10 cities" and even "One of the world's top five bluest sky destinations"!

With numerous things to see and do in and near the city there is no doubt that Cape Town is one of the most magnificent places on earth to visit. This is a city whose true wealth lies in the diversity it embraces.

Great Reasons To Visit

  • For marvellous views over Cape Town, hike or cable car to the plateau of Table Mountain
  • Experience a wealth of nature at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - one of the best in the world!
  • Pump some adrenaline on one of many adventurous and extreme activities available in and around the city
  • Take a boat out to, and tour, the World Heritage Site of Robben Island - former prison of Nelson Mandela
  • Spend a day exploring the nearby Cape Peninsula and see Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope

Background

The first Europeans to discover Cape Town were the Portuguese seafarer Antonio de Saldanha and his crew who sailed into Table Bay by accident in 1503. Encountering the hunter-gatherers and herdsmen of the Khoikhoi people, little did the sailors know that a diverse culture had already been practiced in and around the Bay for nearly a 1,000 years.

With such a spectacular setting, wonderful climate and unique topography the ancient diversity of old has evolved over time into a very modern cosmopolitan city that is hard to resist.

Relaxing

In Cape Town you could be spoilt for choice for pure relaxation. Unwind at the Waterfront in one of the many restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Take a trip out to Camps Bay for a delicious seafood platter or relax with a fine view and a picnic on the summit of Table Mountain.

Cape Town

Being such a popular destination, Cape Town has an excellent selection of high quality visitor attractions ranging from the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Robben Island Prison Museum to the Central Business District, the V&A Waterfont and the Castle of Good Hope.

Book a walking tour of the city centre with a registered walking guide and take in some of the excellent museums, traditional buildings and distinctive architecture. Alternatively take a trip down the Atlantic Seaboard and discover Hout Bay.

Boulders Penguin Colony

Boulders

Western Cape, South Africa

Nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon's Town and Cape Point, Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent wind sheltered, safe beaches. Although se...

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Cape of Good Hope

Cape of Good Hope

Western Cape, South Africa

Rich in cultural and natural heritage this is one of the top tourist destinations in South Africa and includes the famous Cape Point. Due to the variety of wildlife that occurs here it is the only sec...

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Cape Town Central Business District

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Western Cape, South Africa

A mix of historical and modern architecture, which is at the hub of Cape Town. A place where many residents work, live and play.

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Castle of Good Hope

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Western Cape, South Africa

The Castle is the oldest building in South Africa, dating back to 1666 and built by the Dutch East India Company. A pentagonal fortress built to defend the dutch from a British attack. In 1936 the C...

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Chapman's Peak Drive

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Western Cape, South Africa

Chapman's Peak Drive is an exhilerating drive along one of the most scenic routes in South Africa. The drive offers excellent views of Hout Bay and the Sentinel, and possibly even whales in the ocean ...

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Hout Bay

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Western Cape, South Africa

A quiet harbour and bay area, offers something for everyone away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The bay is home to South Africa's first harbour-front emporium with craft shops, restaurants, ...

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Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

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Western Cape, South Africa

The park covers a total of 528 hectares, with 36 of these making up the main landscaped gardens which are home to more than 8500 indigenous plant species and numerous birds. There are hiking trails wi...

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Robben Island Prison Museum

Welcome to Robben Island

Western Cape, South Africa

Robben Island lies just off the coast of Cape Town in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean and is famous as the prison where former South African President Nelson Mandela and many other black political dis...

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Signal Hill and Lions Head

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Western Cape, South Africa

To the right of Table Mountain are Lion's Head and Signal Hill, two popular destinations in their own right. Signal Hill is the northern-most tip of the terrestrial area of Table Mountain National Par...

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Silvermine

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Western Cape, South Africa

Located in the central section of the Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine offers some of the best hikes in the park with beautiful fynbos landscapes, with a choice of trails ranging from easy to ...

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Table Mountain

View from Table Mountain

Western Cape, South Africa

Arguably one of the most well-known mountains in Africa, Table Mountain provides a magnificent backdrop to cosmopolitan Cape Town. Famous for the tablecloth of clouds that pours endlessly down its slo...

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Victoria and Albert Waterfront

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Western Cape, South Africa

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is home to numerous shops including designer label and national retailers, along with a spread of restaurants and coffee shops. Many offer the ideal location on the ...

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Reviews

jennyd's Photo

# Lively City for a shortbreak

Reviewed by jennyd at 19:37 on October, 27th 2007

We loved this City. Table Mountain and the Ocean just give this city such an amazingly different feel than other Cities. During the day there is plenty to see, great architecture and history. In the evening the bars are buzzing, super restaurants and great wine.......plus a little dancing. People always talk about the wind being bad, but it does help to keep the temperature to a really nice level. We will definitely go back some time.


         

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