A popular travel destination particularly fabulous in summer, Cape Town, with its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, holds intense fascination for every kind of holidaymaker from nature lovers and history buffs to adventurers and romantics.
Alive with activities, tastes and color and loaded with amazing attractions, Cape Town is a revelation to those who want the most to do and see: the beaches in Cape Town attract tourists with their soft, white sand and great surrounding scenery; the legendary Table Mountain, which summit has been visited by over 16 million people opens remarkable views over the city, while the city’s many museums and art galleries, historical sites, craft markets and fantastic restaurants provide a magnificent setting for a memorable holiday.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
A great start for an ideal African journey, Kirstenbosch is perhaps the city’s most celebrated garden and a popular attraction with unique natural beauty found on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Established in 1913 and covering 528 hectares (of which 36 hectares a cultivated garden), Kirstenbosch displays a great diversity of flora (over 7,000 species), growing only indigenous South African plants. The gardens are also inhabited by a large variety of birds, which also add to the beauty of it.
Walking is a great way to get acquainted with what the garden has on offer, as there are many signboards providing information on the trees and plants. Visitors will find a glass-topped conservatory housing many rare plants, including the enormous baobab tree, as well as a fine restaurant, serving delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whether for a nice day out, a casual walk or a lazy picnic, the gardens are a must see for any tourist to Cape Town. In 2004, the cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden is open 365 days a year.
The Castle of Good Hope
Everyone visiting Cape Town always puts the Castle of Good Hope on top of the list of Cape Town must-see attractions and for good reason. It’s the oldest surviving building in South Africa that is a unique combination of cultural and military history, wine, traditional food, traditional military ceremonies and craftsmanship. Erected between 1666 and 1679 in accordance with 17th century European principle of fortification, the castle has been exceptionally well preserved and today is a major tourist attraction.
There are guided tours available at the Castle, which will introduce you to the dungeons, museums, the dolphin pool and the blacksmith. However, the highlight remains the bulk of the Iziko William Fehr Collection, showcasing some fabulous bits of Cape Dutch furniture, as well as paintings by John Tomas Baines. On weekends many people come to admire the Key Ceremony that takes place at 10am and the Changing of the Guards at 12 o’clock. The Castle has a convenient location in the city center; the entrance is free of charge and is open daily, except for weekdays, Christmas Day and Worker’s Day.
Robben Island and Nelson Mandela
A notorious landmark in South Africa that is home to the prison that incarcerated Nelson Mandela during the years of apartheid, the infamous Robben Island, steeped in dark and painful history, is today a World Heritage Site and a fascinating museum that attracts many visitors from around the world. Moreover, it provides visitors with scenic nature and stunning views across the bay, making the trip to the island an unforgettable experience. Daily tours to Robben Island include ferry tours there and back, an island tour and a tour of the prison with a guide. The museum acts as a focal point of South African heritage and very often runs educational programs for schools, youths and adults. Make sure to check out the prison’s A-section, where you can view the very exciting and moving exhibition ‘Cell Stories’ and get acquainted with the story of each 40 isolation cells.
Cape Town attractions are not limited by the above described ones, there are many pristine beaches packed with many activities, great shopping opportunities and many other entertainment options.
