Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with many breathtaking sights, diverse cultures and history. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the top 19 unmissable attractions in one of South Africa’s most visited cities.
Named after England’s Queen Victoria and her son, Prince Alfred, the V&A Waterfront is centred around the country’s oldest working harbour. This vibrant precinct is home to a shopping centre, a food and craft market, an aquarium, hotels and many other attractions.
The Zeitz MOCAA is the world’s largest museum of African contemporary art. Found inside a revamped grain silo on the V&A Waterfront, it opened its doors in September 2017. After visiting, you can enjoy some food at the on-site restaurant, followed by a sundowner or two at one of the three restaurant-bars in the luxurious Silo Hotel.
Cape Point Nature Reserve lies at the extreme southwestern tip of Africa, within the Table Mountain National Park. Be swept away by dramatic cliffs, awe-inspiring views and hectares of land rich in indigenous flora and fauna.
Take a day trip to the lush Cape Winelands, where award-winning wines and cuisine complement country life.
The Company’s Garden is a beautiful oasis in the centre of Cape Town, with lots of interesting features and attractions, such as the oldest cultivated pear tree in South Africa. It dates back to the 1600s when European settlers grew vegetables to feed the colony and replenish passing ships. The garden also has an on-site restaurant serving traditional South African dishes.
Visit Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town to see adorable African penguins. Boardwalks lead to Foxy Beach – where the penguins love to hang out – while beachgoers prefer to swim in the section sheltered by huge boulders.
Rhodes Memorial was built in 1912 in honour of Cecil John Rhodes, who was prime minister of the Cape of Good Hope in the late-19th century. The Greek-style monument stands on the slopes of Devil’s Peak and offers sweeping views of the city.
