Cape Town, fondly known as the “mother city”, remains one of the main attractions in South Africa. The countryside offers breathtaking scenery; its coastal waters are home to an abundant variety of marine wildlife and modern city entertainment offers a rewarding experience that catering to all tastes of life. From cheap Cape Town Accommodation to the height of luxury accommodation, the “mother city” caters to everyone who visits her shores. The following places remain integral to the real Cape Town experience:
- WaterFront
The Victoria and Albert waterfront offers live entertainment and a great variety for the shopping enthusiast. Enjoy a diverse choice in cuisine while watching seals basking in the sun. You can even momentarily escape the heat by visiting the Ice bar that is kept at a chilly -10 degrees to protect its furniture and decoration, made entirely of ice. Other attractions are the world-class aquarium, the museum, as well as the Clock Tower and the Robben Island Embarkation building, an important landmark of local history.
- Wildlife
Take a day trip to see the harsh beauty of the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point and stop to visit the penguin colony in Simonstown or the Ostrich farm along the way. Take the ferry to Seal Island, where seals roam in abundance. Brave the outer ocean with some whale sightings and confront nature in its raw power by cage diving with Great White sharks.
- Robben Island
Visit the island and the prison that was made infamous by Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected President of South Africa, who was incarcerated here for most of his life. The Penguin colony on the island is another popular attraction.
- City
A visitor should not forgo a tour of the city. The famous Heritage Square offers a taste of Dutch history with some boutique Cape Town accommodation bordered by Georgian architecture. The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa and the Company Gardens are well worth a visit. The beautifully coloured houses of Bo-Kaap or Malay quarter and its history are always of interest. Once the subject of public outrage for their non-conformity with the other houses in the area, they are now a heritage site for the city of Cape Town.
- Table Mountain
The symbol and backdrop of Cape Town is Table Mountain. This remnant of an ancient plateau offers an unbeatable view of the city and its surrounding coastal area. The mountain and its surroundings are a National Park that harbours many of the endangered Fynbos species. It is open to the public and a cable car service offers access to the summit. Making your way to the top by braving a strenuous climb is a possibility, but should only be attempted in clear weather.
To see a great selection of photos from Cape Town, click here.
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