Highlights
Table Mountain
Enjoy a thrilling ride to the summit of Table Mountain via a unique rotating cable-car, turning 360 degrees as you absorb jaw-dropping views across the whole of the Cape Peninsula. Prepare to be further awed as you find a viewpoint atop this show-stopping, crowd-pulling, 600-million-year-old mass of land – officially classed as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’. Table Mountain is the star attraction of Table Mountain National Park, but the delights don’t stop there! Discover more striking granite and sandstone peaks, including the iconic Twelve Apostles, miles of boulder-strewn beaches and swathes of pristine forests.
Robben Island
Take a moving yet fascinating tour of Robben Island, the ex-prison of Nelson Mandela and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Book online in advance for an inclusive package of ferry rides, bus trip around the island, entrance tickets and guided tour of the prison.
V&A Waterfront
Named after Queen Victoria and second son, Alfred, the vibrant V&A Waterfront is a stylish seafront hub created on the site of an old working harbour. Today, it’s one of Cape Town’s top places to visit and is filled with stunning shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas and various other attractions. Beyond the wonderful food, nightlife and shopping, the waterfront is also the place to hop aboard scenic sightseeing boat-trips and cruises.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
For stunning displays of unique Cape flora, follow the circular walks or free guided tours around the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Highlights include approximately 9,000 glorious plant species, an elevated fragrance garden, wonderful sculpture garden, information centre, gift shop and conservatory, housing plants from the continent’s more arid regions. Built in 2013 to celebrate Kirstenbosch’s 100th birthday, the Tree Canopy Walkway provides yet another way to admire the spectacular plant-life. A must-visit for everyone, there is even a special Braille trail.
Bo-Kaap
One of Cape Town’s most photogenic spots, the historic neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap is where freed slaves began to set up home after the 1830s emancipation. Truly vibrant, discover its tiny, cobblestone streets lined with brightly-painted, low-roofed houses.
Museums
If you’re seeking to learn more about South Africa’s turbulent past, don’t miss the museum at the Nelson Mandela Gateway, or the small museum at Jetty 1, the original point of departure for prisoners en-route to the island. Expect to be equally moved as you step inside District Six Museum, based in an old Methodist Mission Church, housing reconstructions of living rooms, faded photos, testimonials and other memorabilia commemorating the multiracial area that was destroyed during the apartheid. Some township tours include a stop here. On a lighter note, the waterfront’s grain silo has had a makeover and is now the Zeitz MOCAA Museum, showcasing a colourful and contemporary collection of Southern African art.
Beaches
Less than ten minutes from the city centre, discover the rocky shores of Bantry Bay and Clifton’s four Blue Flag, white-sand beaches. Protected from strong winds by gigantic boulders, Clifton’s ‘4th’ beach is synonymous with a summer holiday: imagine ice lollies, bobbing yachts and tanned bodies. Next up is stylish Camps Bay, featuring a long, sandy beach lined with quirky cafés and fashionable restaurants. Bringing children? Then don’t miss Boulders Beach, home to a colony of adorable African penguins. Boardwalks and viewing points are positioned in the dunes, and the penguins are even known to share beach towels if you wander onto the sands!
Cape Point
Just 60km southwest of Cape Town, Cape Point is in the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ nature reserve, part of the stunning Table Mountain National Park. Discover a region of spellbinding scenery, sensational seascapes, terrific walks, fantastic birdwatching (250 species!) and, often, empty beaches. To soak up the very best views, take the ‘Flying Dutchman’ funicular and ride to the upper lighthouse, where sheer cliffs drop into the turquoise ocean below.
Outdoor Activities
Cape Town’s naturally theatrical and scenic setting provides an amazing backdrop for outdoor fun, with hiking and mountain biking trails aplenty, world-class golf, exhilarating water-sports and adrenaline-pumping pursuits - like abseiling down Table Mountain or paragliding off Lion’s Head. Meanwhile, the nearby Atlantic Ocean offers glorious seasonal dolphin and whale-watching.