Cape Town is consistently voted as one of the best destinations in the world, which isn’t surprising to anyone that’s had the opportunity to visit the Mother City. It is special in so many ways. In fact, there’s an air of magic about it, a sense that just about anything can happen.
With its incredible variety of things to do and see, Cape Town offers fun, adventure and discoveries to families, couples, explorers and corporate travellers from all over the world. There are also fabulous accommodation options, which you can see and book here.
We’ve listed some of our top picks for the most iconic attractions in Cape Town
The word “icon” refers to something so significant that it qualifies to represent the whole. These iconic attractions are those that perfectly and effortlessly represent the Mother City and capture her essence:
The Big Five
No trip to Cape Town is complete without seeing its five best-known attractions. These are the ultimate icons of the city and give visitors an all-round experience of this destination:
1. Table Mountain
This flat-topped mountain overlooks and embraces the City Bowl, and continues to be the star of postcards, photos and backdrops of all things ‘Cape Town’. There is a cable-car to the top, from where incredible views of the city, its beaches, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Robben Island can be enjoyed. The sunsets from the top of Table Mountain are spectacular.
2. The V&A Waterfront
This is a hub of all things glam and vibey. The shops, boutiques and craft markets are every shopaholic’s dream, while the live performances and various entertainment areas promise loads of fun. The Waterfront is home to a working harbour too. So, book your sunset cruise or a tour on a catamaran for something really memorable.
3. Robben Island
This island was once the place where prominent political activists were imprisoned. These include Nelson Mandela, Jacob Zuma and Tokyo Sexwale. Take a scenic ferry trip across the ocean and visit the prison for a poignant look into the past, present and future of Rainbow Nation that South Africa has become.
4. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
On the slopes of Table Mountain, this incredible garden is full of absolutely stunning plants – from cycads to orchids and everything in-between. There are also bridges over ponds, tactile gardens, restaurants and curio shops, as well as sculptures for sale.
5. The City Bowl
The city centre is always buzzing, thanks to its African markets, contemporary bars and eateries, nightclubs, quirky boutiques, historical attractions and non-stop fun. Explore the heart of the Mother City when you stroll through the streets, sights and sounds of the City Bowl.
6. The Diamond Works
This established diamond institute celebrates diamonds and tanzanite (a thousand times rarer than diamonds) in all their glitzy glory with a new showroom in Cape Town. Go on guided tours and sip on bubbly as you uncover the mystery and beauty of these rare stones. Of course, the hand-crafted Belgian truffles don’t hurt either and are all part of the luxury of the occasion. This showroom is home to some of the best premium stones on the planet.
7. The Zeitz MOCAA
This contemporary gallery showcases African art as it has never been seen before. The museum has been established in repurposed and revamped grain silos, taking full advantage of the cylindrical structure and breath-taking heights for a novel approach to exhibition. Exhibits range from interactive film productions to photographs and sculptures. But, this is no ordinary art gallery. It’s an experience.
8. The Cape Winelands
While some of the hottest wine areas are in Cape Town itself (the estates in Constantia are gloriously rewarding to visit), the majority are in the surrounding towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. The estates are aesthetically exquisite and offer tastings, cellar tours, food and wine pairings, and the opportunity to buy some world-class wines.
9. Cape Point
For some seriously impressive views that don’t only inspire incredible Instagram posts but leave you feeling quite awe-inspired and humbled by their sheer scale and beauty, we have two words: Cape Point. This exquisite landform juts into the wild Atlantic Ocean and is part of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and the Table Mountain National Park. The fauna and flora is incredible and the views (even from the restaurants) breath-taking.
10. Two Oceans Aquarium
The aquarium is fab for families, but also intriguing for solo travellers. Massive aquariums immerse visitors in underwater worlds where turtles, fish and sharks glide by elegantly. There are also areas that visitors can touch spiny starfish in the touch pool, walk with the penguins at feeding times, witness the silent choreography of the kelp forests, and even go SCUBA diving in the tanks.
Visit Cape Town
These iconic attractions give visitors a unique insight into the colours, textures, flavours, sights and sounds of Cape Town. Visit our beautiful Mother City to be part of his magic. To find out more about these attractions and the many others in Cape Town, visit www.SA-Venues.com .