CAPE TOWN
Top Places To Go When Travelling To Cape Town
If cities were romances, Cape Town would be the love-at-first-sight kind: That first glimpse of Table Mountain from the sky, presiding over a gently curving coastline lapped by brilliant blue waters, is an image that leaves you instantly hooked.
But there’s plenty to pull you in long after landing, from its iconic landmarks, renowned attractions & World Heritage Sites to its beautiful beaches, magnificent natural wonders & breathtaking coastlines. Each day in the Mother City will see you unearthing new hidden gems that will have you falling in love all over again.
Table Mountain: A Wonder of Nature
While it may be somewhat unusual to find a staggering 1,086 meters above sea level mountain right in the middle of a big bustling city, but, then again, this is DEFINITELY NOT your average mountain. With its instantly recognisable flat top, Table Mountain stands loud & proud as one of the New7Wonders of Nature & boldly dominates the Mother City skyline. Indeed, as you explore the city, you’ll often find yourself reaching for your camera to capture Table Mountain’s famous silhouette; the best views however are from the top, of course! Take the cable car up on a clear day or, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not lace up your boots & hike your way up the mountain via one of its MANY hiking trails – trust us, the extra effort really will make you feel on top of the world as you look down on the city & all of its surrounding mountains, beautiful beaches, glorious Atlantic Ocean & beyond.
Boulders Beach: Home to Thousands of African Penguins
A firm family favourite, Boulders Beach is a small cove of gently sloping sand studded with enormous granite boulders that were simply made to clamber about on. Sheltered and calm, the glassy-clear, turquoise water makes for safe swimming but the real stars of the show are the thousands of black-and-white African penguins that have made Boulders Beach one of their most important breeding colonies. Wooden walkways run right through the colony so you can get really close to the penguins – great for photography! We’d recommend a few hours on Boulders Beach to soak up the sunshine, and when you’re warm enough, to brave the water – you might even find yourself swimming alongside the penguins.
Cape Point Nature Reserve: Dramatic Scenery & Secret Beaches
Located approximately 60km south west of the city of Cape Town, at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, Cape Point Nature Reserve is one of Cape Town’s most magnificent natural wonders. Featuring beautiful green hills, a rocky coastline, rising peaks, plunging cliffs & unparalleled panoramic views – Cape Point Nature Reserve is simply unmatched! Beyond its unapologetic natural beauty, Cape Point boasts a rich diversity of fauna & flora, stunning white sand secret beaches, fynbos-lined trails across mountains, endless adventure experiences, beautiful nature walks & some of the most thrilling hiking trails in the Western Cape – Undoubtedly making it the ultimate mecca for nature lovers, avid explorers, travelers & adventure seekers! With so much to do, see & experience, visiting the renowned Cape Point should undoubtedly be on your Cape Town bucket list!
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: Picnics, Hikes & Sunset Concerts
Nestled at the base of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens in the world. This beautiful, serene expanse of natural beauty is home to a glorious diversity of fauna & flora with more than 7000 plant species, most of which are entirely endemic to this part of the world (keep an eye out for all kinds of proteas, birds of paradise, wild gardenia & much more). Beyond its beauty & globally acclaimed Botanical Garden status, you can expect various artworks, sculptures, waterfalls, exhilarating hiking & walking trails, lovely lush lawns perfect for picnics, tons of hidden gems & secret spots, a variety of stunning garden areas – including the Botanical Society Conservatory, art at the Sculpture Garden & the Protea Garden (to mention just a few) – and, OF COURSE, the famous Centenary Treetop Canopy Walk, also known as the ‘Boomslang’ – which has fast become a fan-favourite Kirstenbosch attraction for both the young & young at heart! Kirstenbosch also hosts a number of events throughout the year, making it a popular destination among locals & tourists alike.
Cape Town’s Beaches: The Most Breathtaking Beaches in the World!
Calling all head-over-heels beach lovers! There truly is nothing like being sun-kissed, salty-haired, sandy-toed & beached-out while spending the day on one of Cape Town’s stunning beaches. In the Mother City, life truly is a beach & we can’t help but love every blissful beachy moment of it & we have absolutely no doubt that you will too! Home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world, it’s no surprise that people travel from far & wide to experience Cape Town’s beach magic first-hand! Whether you’re looking for a stunning secluded beach escape, long stretches of white sand, something a little cooler & quirkier, the perfect fun-filled family Beach, the ultimate surfing hotspot, or a beautiful secret beach where you can simply sit back, relax & soak up the glorious Cape Town sunshine, the Mother City has the perfect beach for every beach lover! Here are a few of Cape Towns can’t-miss beach favourites: Camps Bay; Clifton Beach; Llandudno Beach; Muizenberg Beach; Boulders Beach; Beta Beach at Bakoven; Bloubergstrand Beach; Oudekraal Beach; Glen Beach; Bali Beach; Saunders Rocks Beach; Big Bay Beach + MANY MORE!
V&A Waterfront: Shopping, Dining & Art & Entertainment Mecca
If you thought the V&A Waterfront was just a collection of shops with a harbour-front setting – then you sure are in for one hell of a treat! While you can certainly shop up a storm – with the V&A Waterfront boasting more than 500 retail stores & glamorous boutiques – it’s only once you venture outside that you really understand why Cape Town’s beautiful, vibrant & always-buzzing V&A Waterfront is not only a favourite among locals & tourists alike, but one of South Africa’s most visited (and certainly one of its most sought-after & not-to-be-missed) tourist attractions. Situated in the oldest working harbor in South Africa, right in the heart of Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront is known as the ultimate hub of art, entertainment, culture, history, adventure, food, shopping & everything in between. Beyond being the leading retail destination in Cape Town, you are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to the V&A Waterfront. Boasting 12 hotels, 5 museums, more than 80 restaurants & eateries – ranging from rustic al fresco to world-renowned fine dining – a plethora of trendy rooftop bars, several amazing markets, cool cafés & hangout spots, 22 World Heritage Sites, MUST-SEE landmarks, iconic attractions, incredible LIVE entertainment showcasing the best local music & SO MUCH MORE – all of which can be thoroughly enjoyed at any time, during any season, right throughout the year – the V&A Waterfront truly has it ALL! Not to mention an endless array of bucket-list worthy experiences, activities & adventures that can be enjoyed by both the young & young at heart. *Click HERE to find out EVERYTHING you need to know about Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.
Robben Island: Historic Prison that Held Nelson Mandela
Cape Town is at the heart of a country with one of the most prolific histories in the world & right at the center of it all is Robben Island. Lying 11kms from Cape Town in Table Bay & accessible from the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island is arguably home to one of the most recognisable prisons in the world that held many of South Africa’s most remarkable political leaders including former & late South African president, activist & world icon, Nelson Mandela & Walter Sisulu. Spend a morning or an afternoon on a Robben Island tour & be shown around the prison by an ex-political prisoner who will share his personal account of the harsh conditions of prison life during the Apartheid regime – it’s a powerful history lesson which provides real insight into the high price that many people paid for South Africa’s hard-won democracy. Today Robben Island is regarded as a symbol of hope & a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity – A place that has played a pivotal role in South Africa’s journey to democracy. In 1997 Robben Island was turned into a museum – The Robben Island Museum – and in 1999 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cape Winelands: World-Renowned Wine Estates Close to Cape Town
If there’s one thing that will never loose it’s magic, charm & undeniable allure, its embarking on the ultimate wine tasting journey through the beautiful Cape Winelands. There is no denying the fact that Cape Town’s wine is world-renowned. Thereby making exploring & tasting your way through the captivating Cape Winelands a not-to-be-missed bucket-list worthy experience. Home to the largest, and certainly the most unique, wine producing region in Africa, the Western Cape is any wine lover’s dream come true. And even if you don’t consider yourself to be a die-hard wine enthusiast at heart, you’ll undoubtedly fall head-over-heels in love with the beautiful Cape Winelands & EVERYTHING it has to offer. In addition to a vast diversity of truly exceptional wine, the Cape Winelands is also known for its picturesque wine routes, exciting food & wine pairing experiences & world-renowned culinary pursuits. Thereby providing you with everything you need to enjoy an unforgettable day out exploring the magnificent Cape Winelands to your wine-loving heart’s desire. Some of the Cape Winelands most incredible wine routes include: Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Durbanville, Darling, Somerset West, Cape Point and Wellington.
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