Cape Town is the world’s most highly recommended tourist city in the world. This remarkable yet fascinating city is deeply embedded in a rich historical past, along with its many beautiful beaches, its natural landmarks such as Table Mountain or Lion Head to man-made sights to wildlife and incredible landscapes.
There are many amazing places to visit in Cape Town. Even if you live here it’s difficult to visit all of them. Like any other big touristy city, Cape Town has some highlights that can’t be skipped.
Here are top places to visit in Cape Town this festive:
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is definitely a must see as it one of the seven wonders of the world.
The views of the city and the surrounding area from the top are spectacular.
There are different ways of getting to the top. The easiest and fastest one is to take a cable car from the parking lot. Walking to the top is another option but for safety reasons, choosing one of the popular hiking trails up Table Mountain.
Hiking in the morning is considered the best time for hiking to the top; it’s nice and cool even in the summer and there are quite a few people on the trails, especially on weekends.
If you decide to hike up, make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Take at least 1 liter of water per person, the ascent is tough and you’ll be thirsty. There is no place to refill the water until you reach the top. Put on sunscreen, wear a hat or a cap and take a light jacket, on top, it might be quite chilly even on a sunny day.
Robben Island
Robben Island played an important role in South African history.
Former President Nelson Mandela spent 20 years in prison on the island. Robben Island is about 7km away from the mainland. The name means “Island of Seals”. Its total area is only 5km.
From the early 17th century till 1991 the Island was used as a prison. In 1999 the Island was declared a World Heritage Site.
Robben Island can be visited only as a part of a tour.
During the tour, you might be able to see penguins, seals, and dolphins which makes this place the perfect family outing, sight seeing as you cruise to the Island on a boat.
V & A Waterfront/ Two oceans aquarium
The V&A Waterfront is one of the most touristy areas in Cape Town with many restaurants, souvenir shops and expensive hotels.
The Waterfront is a perfect time for family, or hanging out with friends and even a romantic date night in the Cape Town Wheel for a picnic in the sky. You can have a 30-minute ride with a picnic basket that you fill with your favorite snacks at one of the local stores.
If you want to have a special evening you can join a Sunset Champagne cruise from the Waterfront. You can combine the cruise with a 3-course
Or you could spend your day admiring the incredible diversity of marine life at the Two oceans aquarium. The environment created inside makes you truly feel like you’re underwater.
Kirstenbosch Gardens
Kirstenbosch is a green paradise within the city. If you have time you can spend pretty much the whole day there. Visitors can see thousands of species of plants and flowers that grow in different parts of the country.
There are several walking routes and longer hiking trails inside the Garden.
Kirstenbosch is a great place for a picnic on the grass. You can bring your own food or buy a picnic basket at one of the restaurants inside the Garden.
Moyo has a very diverse picnic menu that includes meat, pescatarian, gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Constantia and Stellenbosch
All wine lovers will love the Groot Constantia wine farm, which is the oldest wine area in South Africa and the oldest wine-producing region in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is the perfect place for a romantic getaway as it is surrounded by luxury mansions.
Stellenbosch is surrounded by so many wine farms and they are all great. Around that area you will find the strawberry farm which is the perfect place for a family outing as children along with adults enjoy a good old strawberry picking on the farm.
