Cape Town ranks among the top travel destinations for international visitors, and it’s easy to see why they fall in love.
The magic of Africa’s “Mother City” rests in its diversity – its blend of people, cultures, languages – but also the fact that in less than a day you could hike up and paraglide off a mountain, savour Constantia’s world-class wines, surf the waves at Muizenberg and club hop on Long or Kloof streets until sunrise. Some travellers spend months here and still have a longer “must see” list than when they arrived.
At the heart of the City Bowl, in the shadow of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, is the Castle of Good Hope. This Dutch East India Company Port was established in the 1600s for merchant ships that stopped en route to Asia. Likewise, nearby Company’s Garden grew the fresh produce needed to restock ships.
Today, the garden is a great starting point from which to visit Parliament, the National Gallery, District Six and Jewish museums, and the colourful Cape Malay neighbourhood of Bo Kaap (one neighbourhood spared from demolition when South Africa’s Apartheid regime ordered the forced removal and relocation of all non-white residents of the city to segregated townships).
The history of Apartheid and racial relations in Cape Town remains a complex issue. If you’re not South African, it’s worthwhile to sit down over a drink or meal with Capetonians of all colours to hear more about their experiences during and since this dark time.
A visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other anti-Apartheid activists were imprisoned, will also prove informative. Ferries embark from Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, one of Africa’s most-visited tourist destination for its shops, restaurants and live entertainment.
From the V&A, rent a bike and ride along the seaside promenade through the trendy neighbourhoods of Green Point, Sea Point (dubbd “Cape Town’s New York”) and Camps Bay, or take an open-top Red Bus Tour to get a quick lay of the land.
If you’ve got time, take a picnic basket out to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the majestic Cape Point, or to a viewpoint along the Chapman’s Peak Drive. You’ll be hard pressed to find vistas more beautiful anywhere on Earth.
Adrenaline Junkies; Backpackers/Budget Travel; Beach Bums; Couples/Honeymooners; Families; Foodies; LGBTQ-friendly; Luxury Travellers; Nature Lovers; Voluntourists
