Cape Town

As the most popular tourist destination in Africa, Cape Town is well equipped to give you a great time. First of all is the location, right at the tip of Africa, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Town sweeps in a graceful curve and is backed by rugged mountains. Hire a guide to hike with you to the top of Table Mountain and linger over the amazing scenery. Visit Cape Point National Park for more breathtaking views. Explore the Stellenbosch wine country. Marvel at the fish in the largest aquarium in Africa. And saunter down Long Street in Cape Town for local restaurants, bars and shops.

Top 10 things to do in Cape Town

Even though it comes second to Johannesburg in size and economic importance, Cape Town is arguably the better known of the two in the international tourist circuit. Cape Town’s location, landscape, weather and cosmopolitan culture has seen it retain its long tradition of attracting celebrity holiday makers some of whom, like David and Victoria Beckham, have gone as far as buying a vacation home.

1. Robben Island Museum – The highlight of this former prison for anti-apartheid activists is a visit to the cell that served as a home for ex-South African President Nelson Mandela for 18 years. Robben Island was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.

2. Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront – Just next to Cape Town Harbour is one of Cape Town’s most defining locations. V&A has well maintained buildings some dating as far back as the 1860s. It is a popular tourist hangout and has a high density of amusement areas, restaurants and shops.

3. The Castle of Good Hope – Constructed in the 1660s and 1670s, the castle is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. It has played an important role at different phases in the country’s history and was even an insignia on the country’s national and military flags.

4. Table Mountain – This imposing natural backdrop of Cape Town is difficult to ignore. You can be at the top of the mountain via cable car in about 4 minutes. Or if you are more adventurous and don’t mind sweating a bit, go up on foot via the Skeleton Gorge.

5. The Cape of Good Hope – The point that gave Cape Town its name is theoretically the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Don’t expect to see any colliding waves at the peninsula though. The landscape is fantastic yet serene.

6. Take the Metrorail from Cape Town to Simon’s Town – The rail track runs right next to the sea. Just make sure you get a seat on the left side of the train as this is the side that faces the ocean. On windy days, ocean spray splashes on the windows. On a lucky day, you might catch a glimpse of whales further out.

7. Bo-Kaap – A popular site for film shoots because of the old but meticulously maintained streets and colourful buildings. Bo-Kaap is a short distance from the Noon Gun, the site of an interesting tradition where a gun is fired at noon every day except Sunday.

8. District Six Museum – The site of the multi-racial suburb by the same name that became famous for its resistance to racial segregation forcing the government of the time to bulldoze the entire area. District Six is still uninhabited but the museum serves as a perpetual reminder of the bravery of its former inhabitants.

9. Swim at False Bay beaches – Cape Town could not be Cape Town without its pristine beaches. The False Bay beaches are on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula and are therefore warmer because of the waters of the Indian Ocean.

10. Two Oceans Aquarium – Some of Cape Town’s beaches are notorious for sharks. The aquarium is the place to watch sharks as they are fed in a controlled environment. It is safe to dive with the sharks since they are regularly fed but you have to have a diving license.

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