Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most exotic vacation destinations in the world. The city offers an interesting mix of natural beauty and urban bustle while ringing true to its cultural roots. Additionally, the city has a dark history that’s sure to capture the attention of any guest. If you’re on the hunt for an inspiring and adventurous vacation destination Cape Town might be just the right fit for you. Here are a few things you won’t want to miss:
Table Mountain
This is the most famous landmark in all of Cape Town. The locals live, offer directions, and predict weather patterns based on this gorgeous peak. The mountain is nestled in the famous Table Mountain National Park and serves as home to an ecosystem of plants and wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Guests can explore the peak by foot, but cable cars also service the mountain on clear days (source: hiketablemountain.co.za). If you’re visiting Cape Town for the first time, this should definitely be on your list.
Flower Power
Cape Town is in full bloom from late August to early September (source: insideguide.co.za). Tourists and locals alike will enjoy blankets of fresh wildflowers sprinkled across acres of Cape Town’s natural and normally inaccessible landmasses. Cape Town locals have taken advantage of this unique natural phenomenon and welcome guests on daily guided tours through the fields. There are also a variety of shows and displays where visitors can enjoy a more structured viewing of these stunning flower fields. Regardless of how you tackle the flower phenomenon, this is a site you won’t want to miss if you’re visiting during peak season!
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is a suburb of Cape Town drawing thousands of tourists each year because of its white sandy beaches, awe-inspiring summit views, and mouth-watering cuisine. The area offers the best of both worlds as visitors can enjoy a taste of natural wilderness followed by a douse of local culture. Set against the back of Table Mountain and only 15 minutes from the city centre of Cape Town, Camps Bay includes stunning glorious views of both mountain or on the beach. Most places are within walking distance of the promenade with its famous palm-lined beach. It is the best place to holiday in Cape Town, whether you intend seeing the rest of the city and its attractions or wish to spend lazy days near the sun-kissed sand or sipping sundowners at the trendy beach cafés facing Camps Bay beach (source: CapeTownVillas.net). Guests can sunbathe on the beach or embark on a challenging hike and enjoy a local brew or tapa at the day’s end. Not into hiking? The area also has a rotating series of cable cars that climb the mountain vistas and offer the same stunning views minus the workout.
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
This famous beach serves as home to a must-see colony of African penguins. The area is officially part of Table Mountain National Park and was unexpectedly settled by a group of nosy penguins in the early 1980s. While the migration proved a challenge at first, the area locals have embraced their beaked friends and have built their lives around the penguin habitat. The local government has supported a series of projects designed to bring boardwalks and other walking trails to the area (source: capetown.travel). Patrons can now enjoy a scenic stroll with the added oddity of a penguin or two. At the very least this area offers a unique photo opportunity you won’t get anywhere else.
History Museums
There’s no better place to immerse yourself in the culture and history of this African country than at several of the area’s leading museums. The District Six Museum is one of the most famous. Before the infamous apartheid, this neighborhood thrived as a mixed race and migrant working area. It was later declared a “whites only” zone, and the non-whites were driven out of the area by force (source: capetownmagazine.com). The museum now commemorates life before the removal and vulnerably acknowledges the city’s rough and racist heritage.
If you’re looking to extend your day in history try a second stop at the Slave’s Lodge. When Cape Town was first settled, the area served as the headquarters for the Dutch East India Company’s slave population. The building has been used for government purposes in recent years, but it now serves as a haunting reminder of the conditions in those times.
Spier Wine Farm
The Spier Wine Farm is Cape Town’s pride and joy. Offering an eclectic mix of local award-winning wines guests are offered the chance to tour the vineyard and sample a few of the area’s best. The farm also offers a light menu and serves as an event space for locals on the weekends. If time allows, spend a night at the wine farm’s posh hotel and enjoy the full experience (source: spier.co.za).
These are just a few of the many exciting attractions located in Cape Town. If you’re planning a trip to this amazing destination make sure to add these stops to your bucket list.
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