Top 10 attractions in Cape Town

September 20, 2019

Find out the best locations and activities in Cape Town, one of the most visited places in South Africa. Explore its multicultural heart, with all the main places of interest and the stunning natural landscapes.

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Colorful beach huts in Cape Town, South Africa

During a stay in Cape Town it's impossible to get bored: not only is it the gateway to all the main attractions in South Africa, but it is a cosmopolitan, heterogeneous, multi-ethnic metropolis full of interesting locations.

If you are preparing for a trip. here is a simple guide on the best things to see and do.

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Cape Town beach from above, South Africa
Cape Town beach from above.

Cape of Good Hope

A trip to Cape Town would not be really complete without a half-day trip to Cape Peninsula, heading towards the Cape of Good Hope, the south-westernmost tip of the African continent. The world- famous Cape of Good Hope, rounded by the ships of the European sailors, presents itself to the eyes of visitors with a rugged coast and is part of a nature reserve. In Cape Point there is a lighthouse that can be visited and reached by a steep staircase or cableway, while you can also spot several wild animals in the area, such as ostriches and zebras. For trekking lovers, there are also many hiking trails offering stunning views.

The route to reach the Cape of Good Hope is indicated by clear road signs.

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Cape of Good Hope in South Africa
Cape of Good Hope.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

On the slopes of Table Mountain is Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, an enchanting botanical garden hosting over 7 thousand vegetable species, some, including protea, existing only here. The parks covers and area of 130 acres, punctuated by plants but also works of art. In order to visit the botanical gardens you can join free guided tours, or try the Boomslang, a hanging path offering unforgettable views.

And how about lunch? There are restaurants, but many prefer to enjoy the natural environment with a picnic. If you travel with children, this is surely a place to stop at.

Lion's Head

Lion's Head is the mountain next to the well known Table Mountain and is characterized by a conical shape easily distinguishable in the Cape Town. Lion's Head is a mountain much easier to climb than its sister. There is a path that leads to the top and offers unique views both on the way and once on top.

To explore it you can leave your car at Signal Hill and then simply follow the trail. The climb is moderately demanding, but also suitable for children.

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Lion's Head from the beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Lion's Head as seen from the beach.

Table Mountain

You cannot visit Cape Town without exploring its most iconic symbol, Table Mountain. This characteristic plateau dominates the profile of the city: in addition to admiring and photographing it, you can also climb to the top, on foot or by cable car. There are challenging hiking routes, but also simple ones for the less experienced.

And once on top, what do you see? Well, Lion's Head first and foremost. But also the beaches, the city and in the distance Robben Island. During the climb instead, you can see the fynbos, typical vegetation of the area.

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Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
Table Mountain, dominating Cape Town.

Camps Bay Beach

Camps Bay is the liveliest and most animated beach in Cape Town, that of parties. Flanked by restaurants, bars, hotels and nightclubs, Camps Bay is sometimes a bit crowded, especially between December and January, but it certainly deserves a visit, even just for the view, dominated by the profile of the Twelve Apostles.

The beach is easily reached and has parking, while the sand is fine, so also suitable for children.

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Camps Bay beach in Cape Town, South Africa
Camps Bay.

Robben Island Museum

Robben Island lies off the coast of Cape Town and was once a penal colony, used by Dutch and British to confine prisoners. Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years here, was imprisoned in more recent times. It can be reached by ferry from the V & A Waterfront and, once disembarked, an island bus tour takes place.

The main attraction of Robben Island is still its prison, where you can also see the cell of Mandela, a truly touching experience.

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Robben Island, Cape Town, South Africa
Robben Island.

V&A Food Market

The V&A Waterfront market will capture you with its perfumes and colors. Specializing in the sale of food, the V&A market is open seven days a week and there is really every kind of dish and drink (even the delicious fynbos gin).

And it can be visited even if it is raining, being covered. Here it is also interesting to observe the locals, as the market is very popular with locals.

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) is currently the most important museum of contemporary African art and collects works by artists of the continent that live not only in Africa but throughout the world. The building itself is interesting, as it is an old grain silo renovated and adapted to its new function by the British archistar, Thomas Heatherwick. Today the museum stands out, bright and avant-garde, on the profile of the lively V & A Waterfront. The museum houses part of the permanent collection of the German philanthropist Jochen Zeitz (hence the name), as well as other works by African artists from across the continent and the world.

Inside, the museum is composed of a large and sumptuous atrium, from which galleries and different floors branch off, connected by spiral stairs. Glass elevators built in the cylinders of the silo connect the different levels in a very scenographic way, also giving excellent opportunities to take pictures.

Iziko South African Museum

Iziko South African Museum is the national museum of South Africa and as such houses many traditional African artifacts, but also fossils, typical clothes, jewelry and household objects dating back to 700 million years ago. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions of great interest and is never very crowded.

Bo Kaap Museum

Bo Kaap, or Cape Malay, is the multi-ethnic, colorful and exciting neighborhood of Cape Town, which is worth a visit to sample its exotic cuisine and take lively photographs. But beyond that, stop by to visit the Bo Kaap museum, which tells the story of the Muslims of Cape Malay who settled in this neighborhood, making it unique with their culture. The communities of Cape Malay mostly came from Indonesia and the museum, a building that deliberately resembles the typical home of a nineteenth-century neighborhood family, can be visited quickly thanks to its small size and is often uncrowded.

Nearby is Chiappini Street, one of Cape Malay's most photographed locations.

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Malay district in Cape Town
Malay district in Cape Town.

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