15 MUST-DO'S FOR CAPE TOWN


By Fenja
Cape Town, Kaapstad, iKapa, Kapstadt - albeit in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa or German – it is impossible to summarize the Mother City in just a few words. The city is located in the Western Cape in one of the most beautiful regions of the world and has great cultural background. Thousands of immigrants from Indonesia, France, Holland, England and Germany came to the Table Mountain - the place where everything began. After you have been there once, it is hard to get the Mother City out of your mind again. Experience it yourself and spend an unforgettable time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
Amazing Africa Tours - Cape Peninsula

#1 DAY TRIP TO THE CAPE PENINSULA

A trip to the Cape Peninsula is an absolute must do! For the trip to the tip of the Peninsula, you should invest one whole day. Along the famous and beautiful Chapmans Peak one drives past Hout Bay up to the national park, where you eventually reach Cape Point, the southernmost point of the peninsula with its stunning views. The climb to the lighthouse is highly recommended, but alternatively one can also take the cable car up. The Cape of Good Hope is also within a 30-minute walk away from the Cape Point. Arriving at the Cape of Good Hope, you will have time for a quick photo at the famous wooden sign and enjoy the fantastic view of the wide sea. By any chance, you can see a few animals like mountain zebra or antelope while driving through the nature reserve.

#2 BOAT TRIP TO ROBBEN ISLAND

The former prison island is one of the classic sights of Cape Town. The tickets are best purchased online a few days before and then you should arrive a few minutes early for the ferry that docks at the V&A Waterfront. The ferry ride to the island is followed by a tour of the island by bus. During the tour, the places, where Nelson Mandela and his fellow inmates worked, are being approached: The quarry where political prisoners worked more than 10 years and the seaweed collection area, from where they could see the close and yet so distant city. During the guided tour through the prison, you learn many interesting things about the life and work of Nelson Mandela and the housing conditions of the prisoners. Former political prisoners and thus contemporary witnesses lead the tours.

#3  HIKING TABLE MOUNTAIN

Wherever you look, you can see him everywhere and always: The Table Mountain dominates the urban image of Cape Town. Who only has a few days, should use the first available opportunity to visit Table Mountain, because the weather is chameleonic on the mountain. During good weather conditions numerous tourists scrimmage near the gondola station to take the cable car up to the platform of the UNESCO world natural wonder. Alternatively, the mountain can indeed be climbed on foot, but this takes a lot of time and muscle power. Once at the top you can enjoy an insanely beautiful view over the city and the Atlantic Ocean. During a small tour on the plateau one can take a closer look at the unique vegetation and probably also encounter the odd Cape hyrax. By the way: The little twee woodchuck like creatures that live at thousands around Cape Point, on Table Mountain, indeed throughout South Africa and Namibia are called Dassies in South Africa and descended from the elephants.

#4 TRIP TO LIONSHEAD AND SUNDOWNER ON SIGNAL HILL

In the event that the Table Mountain pokes his head in the clouds, the Lions Head is a good alternative - but you have to bring a bit of fitness because the comfort of a cable car is missing there. From the Lionshead you can go straight up the Signal Hill - but now with set of wheels. Signal Hill is a beautiful view point which is worth the ascent equally during the day and even in the dark. Already the trip to the mountain peak offers spectacular views of the Table Mountain, the Lions Head and an incomparable panoramic view of the beautiful Cape Town and its bay. A picnic at sunset on Signal Hill is not only recommended, but an absolute highlight - an experience that also many residents enjoy!

#5 SHOPPING AT LONG STREET

Set against the backdrop of the mountain range the Long Street is located in the city center. The long street is lined with backpacker hostels, restaurants, pubs and bars. Although many international designer labels are located here as well, you will be able to find quite a few local providers which reflect the authenticity of South Africa. While strolling along the shopping street, which borders the famous Loopstreet, the one or other beautiful piece can be found and at night it becomes the party area of Cape Town. At one end the Longstreet blends into the slightly quieter Kloof Street, with coffee shops, designer shops and charming restaurants.

#6 CAPE TOWN WITHOUT A BEACH? UNTHINKABLE! CAMPS BAY & CLIFTON

The districts of Camps Bay and Clifton are situated at the west coast of Cape Town, behind the Lionshead. Camps Bay has a fantastic beach with a long promenade, where restaurants, bars and coffee shops line up. Enthroned in the background are the 12 Apostles, a mountain range and part of Table Mountain. It is a great place to spend a day enjoying the beach and the sun. In the evening, it is almost magical, when the sun sinks into the sea.

#7 STROLLING AROUND THE V&A WATERFRONT

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (briefly: V&A Waterfront) is the restored shipyard and port area around the two historic harbors of Cape Town. It provides a true shopping experience with many restaurants, cafes, a Ferris wheel, small shops and a huge shopping center. From the V&A Waterfront one can walk along the promenade all the way to the World Cup stadium.

#8 TAKING A STROLL THROUGH THE BOTANICAL GARDEN KIRSTENBOSCH

The Botanical Garden in Kirstenbosch was named as one of the finest botanical gardens in the world. In beautiful location directly on the slopes of Table Mountain, it lives up to this reputation by its fullest. The garden has committed itself exclusively to the culture of native plants - whoever may believe, that that would be boring or monotonous is quickly disabused. Alone in the field of fynbos flora about 8,600 different types are planted in natural-looking arrangements. In addition, concerts will be held in the garden throughout the summer. One can sit wonderfully on the greens in front of the stage, have a picnic and listen to the music. A great experience, with wonderful weather in a beautiful setting.

#9 DISCOVERING THE COLORFUL DISTRICT OF BO KAAP

The Bo-Kaap district can be seen at first glance because of the countless colorful houses, the trademark of also known under "Malay Quarter" or "Cape Muslim Quarter" famous district. The approximately 1x1 kilometer wide Bo-Kaap is at the foot of Signal Hill in Cape Town’s city center. A visit to the Bo-Kaaps is a must-do for every visitor in Cape Town! During a guided walking tour, the history of the place and its inhabitants is being told. Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest and most authentic districts of Cape Town, founded in the 18th century by freed slaves. And one thing is certain: While there you should definitely try the kitchen of the Cape Malay in one of the traditional restaurants!

#10 WALKING ALONG BLOUBERGSTRAND

About 20 minutes north of the city center, you can find Bloubergstrand and Table View, two very nice places located in the catchment area of Cape Town. Beautiful sandy beaches overlooking the Table Mountain invite you for some relaxation or long walks. In addition, the Bloubergstrand is a very popular world kitesurfing hotspot. At time with enough wind, countless kite surfers can be observed at the play with the waves. Especially in the evening when the sun turns pink and you have a fantastic view of the city and the Table Mountain, is this the place to be!
Amazing Africa Tours - Wine Tasting in the Wine Lands

#11 WINE TASTING IN THE WINE LANDS

A trip to the Winelands is one of the best things you can do during a stay in Cape Town. Whether one is a great wine connoisseur or not does not matter. The wine regions near Cape Town have a long history - they are home to excellent restaurants and the best wines of South Africa. The best way to explore, for example, the region around Franschhoek, is by the Wine Tram. This one runs on a daily basis and drives to up to six wineries. That way you have the possibility to visit several wineries in a relaxed way to taste the excellent WINE.
Amazing Africa Tours - Muizenberg's colourful beach huts

#12 WATCHING THE SURFER IN MUIZENBERG

The small town of Muizenberg has the best conditions, if you ever wanted to learn how to surf. But also for all non-surfers a trip to Muizenberg is recommended - spend a day at the beach, watch the many surfers, enjoy the sun or go on the search for the many colorful beach huts around... the quiet town has much to offer! For a detour at lunchtime, the cute little town of Simons Town is advisable. There are quite a few charming cafes and small restaurants with delicious food and nice atmosphere endogenous.

#13 DISCOVER THE DIVERSITY OF THE CITY

Cape Town is interesting and full of contrasts. You can see the greatest and most amazing villas overlooking the beach on one day and on the same day townships, where thousands of people live in shacks. Both belongs to Cape Town and constitutes the cities character. Who is interested should definitely take part in a guided tour of one of the townships like Khayelitsha. The tours through the poverty-stricken streets are equally disconcerting as interesting. One sees shacks without water or electricity and residential complexes in which 8-9 people share a room and you will visit kindergartens and schools that have been built over the time. Townships like Khayelitsha are basically a city within the city - definitely worth seeing and a part of South Africa!

#14 PENGUINS AT BOULDERS BEACH

To see the famous African penguins, you will drive down the road to Boulders Beach. This coastal strip south of Simons Town got its name due to the large, rounded granite rocks that have withstood the weathering and the raid of the sea. The penguins usually are basking on these large rocks, which are found along the beach and among the dunes. Looking at the cute animals is a lot of fun. You should take some time and stroll along the wooden gangplank in peace. (Tip: In Bettys Bay, about 90 kilometers from Cape Town lives also a big penguin colony where you can get even closer to the penguins. There are hardly any tourists and the entrance fee is the equivalent of less than one Euro.)

# 15 FASCINATION AFRICA AT THE GREENMARKET SQUARE

The historic Greenmarket Square, which forms part of the business center, is located in the heart of Cape Town. This place offers a lot and has a good selection of museums, art and commercial markets and other interesting sights. The market used to be the vegetable market of Cape Town, from which the name "Green Market" originated. The square, with its stalls, old cobblestones, the street performers and artists has a special flair, which one should experience by themselves. The atmosphere is exciting: To the sound of African drums, you can haggle over textiles, leather products, jewelry and crafts. Between the stalls with colorful cloths and wooden figures, people start to clap and dance and the spectators are drawn by the rhythm as well.
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