Cape Town is a city of superlatives. South Africa’s oldest city ranks among the top 10 must-see places in the world, and internationally it is the most popular destination in South Africa and on the continent. Its striking landmark, Table Mountain, is visible from as far as a hundred kilometres away. But there is so much more to the iconic Mother City, sprawled out between two oceans, than its extraordinary natural features.
Cape Town simply has it all: great shopping, splendid wining and dining, luxurious accommodation, exciting nightlife, a lively art scene, miles and miles of beaches and glorious surroundings to boot.
For your first impression of this wonderful city take a ride on a red double-decker Cape Town sightseeing bus. They start from the Two Oceans Aquarium at the Waterfront every hour and passengers can hop on and off along the way. Hop off for coffee at Cape Town’s golden mile along famous Camps Bay beach or at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Cape Town is, after all, the centre of the Cape Floral Kingdom with hundreds of Fynbos species.
The city centre is small enough to explore on foot. Take a walk down St George’s Mall, a pedestrian street full of street artists, cafés and jewellers. If you are into gems and gold you have to visit the Gold of Africa Museum and Jewel Africa. Or spend time in the Company Gardens where Cape Town started as a supply station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) back in 1652. Next to the Gardens are the Houses of Parliament, which are open to the public, and there is also the National Gallery and the South African Museum with the Planetarium. Two significant museums are in close proximity: the Slave Lodge and the District 6 Museum are stark reminders of the dark sides of Cape Town’s history. In a way, so is the Castle of Good Hope from where the VOC ruled with an iron hand and brutal punishments. In its heyday ships were sailing right up to the main gate, but since the Foreshore land reclamation project in the 30s the castle is 2 km from the harbour. A tradition kept from earlier centuries is the Noon Gun which booms from Signal Hill at 12h00 sharp every day. The descendants of mainly Southeast Asian slaves live in Bo-Kaap, the colourful residential area on the slopes of Signal Hill. They introduced Islam to South Africa and also the delicious Malaysian cuisine. Through its role as a tavern of the seas Cape Town became one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world.
The old harbour has long since been transformed into the renowned V&A Waterfront, the most visited tourist destination in Cape Town. It is also the starting point to Robben Island, the former prison island where Nelson Mandela was held in detention for more than two decades. You can also go on a fun cruise from the V&A.
If you prefer mingling with the locals try Canal Walk in Century City. Shop till you drop in elegant surroundings with more than 400 shops and restaurants all under one roof. From there you might want to proceed to the Grand West Casino, a huge entertainment complex which is open all day and night. Apart from the casino there are restaurants, bars, night clubs and cinemas plus an Olympic-size ice rink and an arena with 5000 seats.
Venturing out of the city centre you will find yourself equally spoilt for choice. Go wine tasting on the many wine estates around the pretty little towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, or follow the Constantia Wine Route on your way to Cape Point at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. There are a number of nature reserves in the Greater Cape Town area but wild animals are rarely seen. For a guaranteed wildlife experience try Drakenstein Lion Park, Butterfly World, Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm, Tygerberg Zoo, Spier Cheetah Outreach, Monkey Town, World of Birds, Imhoff Snake Park and the Cape Point Ostrich Farm. The Baboon Matters organisation will even take you walking with Chacma baboons.
