CAPE TOWN

Population: 3.7 million
Province: Western Cape

Highlights:

Cape Town is South Africa’s most beautiful city, and arguably even the most beautiful city in the world. The city excites with its stunning natural beauty, ease of getting around and diverse options of experience an iconic South African city. Not to forget: even if you travel on a budget, Cape Town will welcome you with open arms and treat you like a king or queen.

Sunset over Cape Town

Description:

Located on a peninsula and at the foot of Table Mountain, the city has grown into one of the most popular travel destinations on the continent, without losing its local charm. Cape Town is as much a tourist destination as it is a favourite amongst South Africans, who work in Johannesburg and play in Cape Town.

When visiting Cape Town, you can check in at the world-renowned highlights that are the Cape of Good Hope, the V&A Waterfront and Robben Island, you can visit the penguins at Boulders Beach and join the rich and famous for a cocktail in Camps Bay.

Every foodie’s paradise, Cape Town is home to so many restaurants and eateries, you will struggle to visit them all, even if you make the city your home. Try local Cape Malay dishes or international cuisine, vegan deliciousness or grass-fed beef, taste world-famous wines or locally brewed craft beers – you won’t go hungry in Cape Town, that’s for sure.

Luckily, there are enough options to stretch your legs and get active. Hike up Table Mountain, Lion’s Head or Devil’s Peak, explore Newlands Forest and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, cycle along the Sea Point promenade, stroll along Blouberg Beach, join a yoga or capoeira class or kayak amongst the dolphins. Nature Lovers will experience pure bliss in Cape Town. Don’t shy away from exploring the city using the bright-red hop-on-hop-off buses. Even the locals use them.

The Mother City is also known as a hub of creativity with hip artists and musicians from all over Africa calling it home. On any given night you can enjoy concerts, open mic events or theatre performances. On every “first Thursday” of the month, galleries in the city centre open their doors, welcoming late-night visitors strolling in.

If you want to learn about the country’s complex history, visit the Iziko or District Six museums or a show at the Fugard Theatre.

Cape Town is a sensual city where many cultures’ tastes, smells, sights and sounds combine to give you an eclectic feel. It has a laidback vibe with tribes of hipsters in the inner city and is best explored over at least three days.