10 Places To Visit In Cape Town
Quick answer: The top places to visit in Cape Town are Table Mountain, Muizenberg and St James Beach, Boulders Beach, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, Bo-Kaap, Long Street, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the Constantia wine route.
Cape Town is one of the friendliest and most charming cities I have ever been to. Don’t listen to those who criticise the safety of the Mother City: like every other major city, Cape Town has its dark areas, but by observing basic precautions you will be safe. Don’t stop yourself from experiencing this alluring city.
10 Places to Visit in Cape Town
1. Table Mountain
This flat-topped mountain is the most prominent and most photographed attraction in the country. Table Mountain is home to about 2,200 species of plants and 1,470 floral species, many of them endemic to the mountain.
Check the weather before you go: the live image below of Table Mountain refreshes every 10 minutes and shows the current weather conditions.
Cape Town Webcam is sponsored by www.Kapstadt.de
2. Muizenberg and St James Beach
Set between mountain and sea, Muizenberg was a place I found quite difficult to leave. Its colourful houses, commonly known as bathing houses, are eye-catching. Head up to Tiger’s Milk Restaurant for great food.
St James Beach is a quiet beach en route to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, along the M4 highway. The colourful bathing houses along the shore are a rewarding sight, and there is a small pool along the coast.
3. Boulders Beach
Also known as the penguin colony, Boulders Beach is famous for its African penguins. A walk along the winding, narrow path by the shore lets you admire these birds, strikingly posing for pictures.
4. Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
Near the southern tip of the country, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are not to be skipped. Walk up to the Old Lighthouse, perched 249 metres above sea level on the highest section of the peak.
5. Bo-Kaap
In Bo-Kaap, each house is painted in its own distinctive colour. These eye-catching streets certainly deserve a stop.
6. Long Street
Call it a street full of life or a paradise for night owls: Long Street is packed with multi-cuisine restaurants, bars and pubs.
Do stop by the Beer House and enjoy its contemporary beer hall with 25 taps and the legendary “99 Bottles” of the best local and international beer.
7. V&A Waterfront
The Waterfront is named after Queen Victoria and her son Alfred, and it offers a sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean, Table Bay Harbour, the city and Table Mountain. It is filled with activities for all ages. You can:
- Ride the Cape Wheel
- Take a helicopter tour to the winelands
- Do a sky safari tour, or simply see the city from above
8. Robben Island
Go back in history. The infamous Robben Island lies 7 km from the mainland and is most famous as the place where Nelson Mandela and former South African President Jacob Zuma were imprisoned for fighting against the apartheid regime. There is more to Robben Island, though, and you can only experience it by touring the island.
9. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch is one of the nine National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa’s six biomes. It is peacefully nestled at the foot of Table Mountain.
The garden exhibits plants from different regions and has various trails, like the Silver Tree trail. One trail, up a ravine called Skeleton Gorge, is an easy and popular route to the summit of Table Mountain.
10. Constantia
Constantia is known for its wine route with centuries-old estates. Close to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, it is a must-visit place in Cape Town to learn about the region’s wine production and taste the wines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Town safe to visit?
Like every major city, Cape Town has its dark areas, but by observing basic precautions you will be safe.
Where can you see penguins in Cape Town?
At Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins.
How far is Robben Island from Cape Town?
Robben Island lies 7 km from the mainland.
Can you hike up Table Mountain from Kirstenbosch?
Yes. The Skeleton Gorge trail from Kirstenbosch is an easy and popular route to the summit.
Conclusion
From Table Mountain and the penguins of Boulders Beach to Bo-Kaap’s colours and Constantia’s wines, these places to visit in Cape Town show why the Mother City is so hard to leave.
Have you been to Cape Town, or are you planning to visit the Mother City? Share your thoughts in a comment below.
