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South Africa’s Cape Town is affectionately referred to as The Mother City, and the love locals feel for the city is quickly shared by visitors. From a UNESCO World Heritage Site to one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, you’ll find an abundance of beautiful, interesting, and informative places to visit. Of all the places worth checking out, here are ten of the best places to visit in Cape Town, South Africa.

Table Mountain

Rising high over the Cape Town city center, Table Mountain is the city’s standout landmark. With a strange, flat-topped shape that gave it its name, the mountain is a popular tourist site. Many visitors choose to hike one of the many mountain trails leading to the summit, while others hop on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. These cable cars rotate 360 degrees, guaranteeing a breathtaking view.

Camp’s Bay

Near the foot of Table Mountain lies the soft sand of Camps Bay, with its beachside cafes and relaxed atmosphere. The water is too cold for swimming, but the beach is a perfect place to sunbathe and take in an amazing sunset. After sunset, the bay is a hotspot for high-class nightlife, offering sophisticated food and wine at a number of classy locations. Check out Café Caprice, which is known for attracting Hollywood A-listers.

Lion’s Head

The hour-long hike up Lion’s Head, one of Cape Town’s most recognizable peaks, is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The mountain sits between Signal Hill and Table Mountain, offering fantastic views of the Atlantic Seaboard, Table Bay, and Robben Island, as well as the city below. Oh, and if you’re interested in paragliding, Lion’s Head is a popular launch site.

Long Street

If you’re looking to pick up some great vibes, head to Long Street. You’ll find all the clubs, bars, and restaurants you need, as well as great boutiques for some serious shopping. Check out the beautiful artwork of the Pan African Market, go for a swim or steam at the Long Street Baths, and grab a grab a drink from a patio bar. Everyone on Long Street is having a good time, and you’ll soon see why.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

If it’s natural beauty you’re looking for, don’t miss the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The gardens’ 89 acres are filled with over 7,000 species of indigenous species, many of which are rare or threatened. This is a great place to experience beauty that is uniquely South African. The walking paths are immaculately maintained, and you’ll even find sculptures scattered out among the colorful plant life.

Robben Island

Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site important for anyone interested in South African history. The island’s maximum-security prison held Nelson Mandela, champion of the fight against apartheid and former South African president, for 18 years. Today, you can take a prison tour led by former prisoners, hearing firsthand accounts of their experience. The island also houses a fascinating museum that will give you further information about the island’s role in South Africa’s troubled history.

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a shopping and entertainment destination drawing foodies, shopaholics, and partiers alike. There’s always activity, whether it’s tourists launching on whale-watching tours, families visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium, or the V&A Market on the Wharf. After nightfall, the waterfront’s various restaurants and clubs attract a bustling nightlife. Don’t miss out!

Boulders Beach

You’ll learn why Boulders Beach earned its name the moment you set foot on the warm sand: there are giant boulders scattered throughout. But you might also name the area Penguin Beach, because a growing colony of African Penguins have decided to make the beach their home. These penguins, in fact, are one of the area’s main allures, and they’ve grown accustomed to a human presence. But Boulder Beach is also a great spot for swimming—the water isn’t nearly as frigid as it is at Camps Bay.

Constantia Valley

Wine enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Cape Town, but Constantia Valley is particularly alluring. The valley’s wine route offers tours and tastings at nine different wineries, including the vineyard where South Africa’s wine culture began. Groot Constantia has been around since the 17th Century, welcoming the likes of Jane Austen and Napoleon Bonaparte. The valley’s historical mansions, looming groves of oak trees, and plentiful wine offerings make for a perfectly peaceful evening.

Old Biscuit Mill

Okay, the name may make you think this place is as dull as, well, an old biscuit, but this area is a hub of activity for locals and tourists alike. For one thing, the area is home to the Neighbourgoods Market, where you’ll find a vast array of artisanal food, drink, and clothing. When it comes to food, however, the best place you’ll find in the area is The Test Kitchen, voted one of the best restaurants in the world in 2016. After an unforgettable meal—or perhaps before would be better—try a Hint Hunt, an exhilarating live group escape game hugely popular among the locals.

 

If you’re planning a meeting or travel incentive to South Africa contact Gavel International.  We can help you take the stress out of planning.

Jeff Richards
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