What to do in Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

The second largest city of South Africa is famous for its harbor and natural setting dominated by spectacular heights of Table Mountain and surrounded by stunning beaches, lush farmland and superb vineyards. Cape Town has established itself as South Africa’s cultural capital and one of the most vibrant cities on the continent.

The easiest and most affordable way to explore this vast city is to use MyCiTi Cape Town’s modern, scheduled bus service. Current routes link the central city with major landmarks, such as the V&A Waterfront, the Table Mountain Cableway, the pristine beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, and the seaside fishing village of Hout Bay. You can simply get your card from an authorized retailer and top it up with money for travel.

Uber is also present in Cape Town and is a popular and convenient way to get around the city without having to negotiate prices with taxi drivers thus reducing the risk of overpaying
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Situated in the oldest working harbor in South Africa, with the iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop, the V&A Waterfront is Cape Town’s tourist showpiece, a favourite place for local and international visitors where crowds gather to eat, drink, shop, socialize, and admire breathtaking views of Table Mountain. Here you will find many attractions and activities that includes helicopter rides, leisure boat cruises, stand-up paddling, live entertainment, Two Oceans Aquarium and much more. 

Located within the premises of the waterfront inside a revamped grain silo, The Zeit Museum of Contemporary Arts Africa is the largest art museum in Africa featuring an impressive collection of work from all over the continent and beyond. The museum was opened in 2017 and is already considered a must-see attraction in the city. 

Fascinating culture and art can also be found within Cape Town. The beliefs of numerous religions including Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and traditional African are evident as everyone is strolling around the city.  All these beliefs seem to coexist harmoniously, despite the history of years past. Art is everywhere in the city including the facades that are brightly painted and Afro-chic décor of numerous buildings.  
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One of the best places to see all the above is the CBD, the very heart of Cape Town which is full of unique boutiques that are excellent for finding the perfect gift.  St. Georges Cathedral and The Slave Museum are also attractions that people can explore in this area. One of the most picturesque and photographed places in South Africa is the Bo-kaap, a colorful Muslim area within walking distance from the city center full of history and culture characterized by brightly painted houses and quaint cobbled streets. 

A trip to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-do on the itinerary of any tourist to Cape Town. For centuries, however, the trip was one to be feared, this was the prison where the South African authorities sent those who dared challenge their cruel and racist rule during the Apartheid Era. Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his sentence here, seeing his cell is a significant moment for any tourist who visits the island today.

Nothing will compare to the magnificent beauty of Table Mountain National Park that encompasses the city.  Everyone will want to venture to the flat top of Table Mountain, and the easiest way is via the aerial cableway, but there is plenty of other activities to do within the park as well. Time your visit very carefully as the Table Mountain is often covered in clouds ( with one particular formation dubber ''The Tablecloth'' ) and the cableway doesn't even operate in high winds, thick clouds and mist. 

One of the great day trips from Cape Town is the magnificent Cape Point Route which leads to Cape Point, the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This is also one of the most remarkable drives anywhere in the world and features steep cliffs, stunning views and plenty of sightseeing opportunities ! You can choose to drive yourself or take one of the many daily tours departing from downtown. 

Cape Town experiences winter from June until August and that is when it is wet with mild temperatures. The summer bring hot and dry weather with a lot of sun. 

You will find many parks where you can relax and take a break from sightseeing including the Company’s Gardens, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and Green Point Park.  

​South Africans are notoriously very sporty and enjoy spending many hours weekly outdoor practicing sports, Cape Town itself offers many possibilities to go hiking, paragliding, mountain biking, and even learn how to surf. 

​The warm weather of Cape Town means that people will want to spend a lot of time at any of the beaches. In Clifton, a luxurious suburb in the southern edge of the city there are four beaches that are separated by massive granite boulders. Each beach has its own specialty, so people will want to choose the one that suits their needs.  

Anyone looking for a beach with something more intriguing than sand and water will want to venture over to the Boulders Penguin Colony. The Penguin Colony is between Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach and people can walk amongst the penguins there.

Shark cave dives and whale watching expeditions can be organized about an hour away in Hermanus and the journey can be worthwhile for those heart pounding adventures.  

​While people can see a few popular attractions in only a day in Cape Town, it is recommended that they spend at least five days in the area.  An entire week to ten days is even better for a complete experience that people will remember for a lifetime.  
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