Cape Town, South Africa sits on the southwestern point of the country and continent in one of the most visually stunning locations in the world. The city faces the wild Atlantic, cradled in the shadow of majestic Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, and Devil’s Peak. Cape Town, known as South Africa’s “Mother City” is one of the world’s top travel destinations – for good reasons.

Cape Town is a relatively small city, full of a fascinating mix of cultures, amazing restaurants, and cutting-edge museums. Its compelling history from the arrival of the Europeans to the Boer War to the ending of Apartheid has shaped it into a vibrant and cosmopolitan melting pot of nationalities. The residents are endlessly friendly and happy to share their city with visitors.

Districts of Cape Town

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a bustling tourist area on the working harbor with plenty of shopping in renovated warehouses, upscale hotels, and multicultural dining opportunities. In addition you’ll find Two Oceans Aquarium, harbor boat trips, and the Cape Wheel. Travel Maestro tip: The V&A Waterfront is clean and safe for visitors.

City Centre is bisected by Long Street, the famous hipster hangout filled with used bookstores, antique arcades, and trendy shops. You can spend a whole day browsing the length of the tree-lined street, pausing along the way at one of the many cafes for refreshment. By night, ethnic restaurants, bars, and clubs draw the crowds.

The Company’s Garden, just south of City Centre is as old as the city itself. In 1652 the Dutch East India Company planted a vegetable garden to supply their trading ships with fresh produce. Today it is a peaceful park with flower beds and fruit trees, green lawns, elegant fountains, and historic statues.

Bo-Kapp is a neighborhood on the lower slopes of Signal Hill that was settled by former Malaysian slaves. The descendants of those early residents still live there. The narrow, cobbled streets are lined with brightly painted houses and Islamic mosques, giving the area a distinctive atmosphere. TM tip: Don’t stray off the safety of the main streets.

Favorite Cape Town Attractions

There is so much to see and do in Cape Town, you can easily stay busy for five to seven days. If you spend less time than that, you will likely have to make some hard choices – including which taste-tempting meals to choose.

The cuisine is a multi-cultural paradise featuring spicy Malay curries, boat-to-table seafood, and wild game meat. TM tip: Be sure to try some South African classics like Bobotie (minced beef topped with a savory custard), Bunny Chow (a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with Indian curry), and the Gatsby (a massive submarine-style sandwich).

Once you force yourself to stop eating the array of deliciousness, these popular attractions should be at the top of your list.

Robben Island

Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a symbol of “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering, and injustice.” Each year thousands visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned as a political dissident for 18 long years. Catch a ferry from the V&A Waterfront and visit the prison with a former political prisoner guide.

Table Mountain National Park

Cape Town’s biggest attraction is the iconic Table Mountain, looming more than 3,500 feet above the city. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway whisks visitors to the top for panoramic views beyond compare. You can also hike one of many trails one way and take the cable car in the other direction.  TM tip: Make the trip to the top on the first clear day of your stay in Cape Town. The mountain frequently closes due to cloud cover, and you don’t want to miss out.

Table Mountain National Park encompasses 85 square miles of Cape Point peninsula. The drive offers breathtaking views of coastal beauty, sweeping beaches, and unusual wildlife. There are many ostrich farms in the region and free-ranging baboons along the roadside. TM tip: On expansive False Bay, take a 20-minute boat ride out to Seal Island to see Fur Seals playing in the surf and lounging on the rocky outcrop.

At the most southwestern tip of the peninsula, you must take the obligatory photo at the Cape of Good Hope sign. Then, whether you hike or drive back up the bluff, don’t skip the Flying Dutchman Funicular ride (or a steep hike) up to the New Cape Point Lighthouse for incredible views. TM tip: The Two Oceans Restaurant at the base of the funicular offers delicious seafood with a killer view.

As you make your way back along Cape Point, there is one more thrill in store at Boulders Beach – penguins! Thousands of small African Penguins roost, swim, and feed on this scenic beach. Wheelchair-friendly boardwalks allow you to get quite close to them. TM tip: By 1982, commercial fishing and habitat destruction reduced 1.5 million African Penguins to only two breeding pairs. Dedicated conservation efforts successfully rebuilt the Boulders colony to over 2,000 birds.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Formerly a private estate, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are renowned for showcasing more than 4,700 species of indigenous flora, including varieties of South Africa’s state flower, the unique protea. There is a magnificent wildflower garden and a scent garden for the blind. TM tip: Attend sunset concerts on the lawn of the gardens every Sunday December-March. September-May, you’ll find a craft market on the last Sunday of the month.

The Cape Winelands

Wine lovers will rejoice at the quality, selection, and prices of South African vintages. Pinotage is the country’s signature variety of red wine. It is full-bodied with ripe fruit flavors – think blackberry, cherry, and fig – and a smoky, earthy finish. But South African wineries also craft elegant Cabernets, Merlots, and refreshing Chenin Blancs and Sauvignon Blancs. TM tip:  You’ll just have to taste them and choose your own favorite.

There are three areas of the Winelands less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town – Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch and many ways to visit. You can enjoy a full-day wine-tasting tour of all three that includes cellar tours, and tasting pairings with cheeses, truffles, and chocolates. Or spend a day tasting and eating at your own pace as you hop on and off one of the seven Franschhoek wine tram lines that connect 31 wine estates. TM tip: For a longer, relaxed visit, spend a night or two in Franschhoek, a quaint village nestled in a lovely valley with boutique shops, excellent restaurants, guesthouses, and hotels.

Exploring Cape Town and its vicinity is a marvelous way to kick off a South Africa vacation. Experiencing a safari is also a must-do, but that’s a subject for a separate post. TM tip: Because the flight time to Cape Town is so long from the U.S. (and Europe), make the most of your trip by extending your trip as long as you can so you don’t miss any of the vibrant culture, magnificent landscapes, and intriguing wildlife that make South Africa so fascinating. When you are ready to plan your dream trip, contact a Covington vacation advisor to make it come true.