The second largest city in South Africa, Cape Town is one of those places where you can truly lose yourself in nature. Its rich history, bustling energy and a long coastline have a magnetic affect on the visitors. Because the place is abundant in natural beauty, it’s hard to choose one attraction over the other.
Easing the task for you, we bring you top five places in Cape Town that you must visit:
Table Mountain
A part of the eponymous national park, the Table Mountain must feature on top in your list of places to visit in Cape Town. The rich biodiversity of this popular attraction has gained it a place among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. About 70% of the floral species found here is unique to the area. The sweeping view of the city and the ocean from the summit top is the one that’ll invoke nostalgia for years to come. The visitors can climb up to 1086 metre by foot through the picturesque hiking trails. For those who would prefer it, there’s an option of taking a five-minute long cable car ride to the top. Once you are in the Table Mountain National Park, you may also explore the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens as well as the Cape of Good Hope that are a part of the park.
Robben Island
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit to the Robben Island is your chance to have a tryst with not only the South African but the world history. A thirty-minute long ferry ride takes you to the island that once had a hospital, a mental institution and a military base. But the island remains most popular for a maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela, the former president of the country, spent 18 years as a captive as a repercussion of working against the apartheid movement. The 2.5 hour long tour of the prison lead by former political prisoners is going to be a highlight of your visit. You will also see the cell where Nelson Mandela was held.
Bo Kaap
Located at the foot of Signal Hill, Bo Kaap is one of the most vibrant places in Cape Town. Inhabited by the descendants of the slaves that were brought to South Africa in the 16th and 17th centuries, a visit to this neighbourhood will show you a different picture of South Africa, the more humble one. Lined with colourful houses, the cobblestoned streets of Bo Kaap are known to be the centre for cooking classes in Cape Town. Heightening the diversity of the area is the Bo Kaap Museum where you can find reminiscent of history of the area.
Camps Bay Beach
One of the most gorgeous beaches in the city, Camps Bay Beach boasts white sand, turquoise blue water, and verdant surroundings. The giant mountains overlook the beach that is an even more spectacular place at sunset. The beach is a favourite in the city which also means it remains crowded during the weekends. The nearby Victoria Road is a perfect place to grab a drink or snack, and enjoy the mesmerising vistas after you’ve taken a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
Boulders Beach
Getting photographed with a penguin is on the travel bucket list of many. The Boulders Beach near the Simon’s Town is the place where you can tick it off your list. You can find a colony of the endangered African Penguins on the beach in the close range. Be gentle, however, and adore these cute creatures from a distance. Besides, the ancient granite boulders protecting the beach from the winds make it an ideal place for a leisurely swim. Because it forms a part of the Table Mountain National Park, the beach is very clean.
