CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town, South Africa is a thriving metropolis situated around the striking Table Mountain. 4.8 million people call Cape Town home, and it’s a city you could spend 4 weeks in and still have more to do.

The closest point of interest to the port is the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront. It has more than 80 eateries, over 500 retails stores, 22 heritage sites, and is home to the Two Oceans Aquarium as well as the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCCA). At the V&A Waterfront, you’ll also find ferries to Robben Island, which was where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years of his 27 years in prison.

Moving further away from the port is the vibrant city center. Points of interest include St. Georges Cathedral, City Hall, the Parliament Building, the Company’s Garden, and the National Gallery. Don’t miss Green Market Square for affordable souvenirs! Just south of the city center you’ll find the brightly colored neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. Bo-Kaap was built in the late 1700s as housing for slaves, and it’s one of the few neighborhoods that resisted forced removals during Apartheid. District Six, which is to the north of the city center, wasn’t so lucky. Over 60,000 residents of District Six were forcibly removed in the 1970s. The District Six Museum tells the story of the people whose lives were uprooted, and it is an impactful site to see when visiting Cape Town.

 If you rather explore nature than cityscapes, you’re in luck! Consider hiking up Signal Hill to catch a sunset or trek up Table Mountain (don’t worry, there’s a cable car too if a 2 ½ hour journey each way isn’t your cup of tea). On the slopes of Table Mountain, you’ll find Kirstenbosch—a 1300 acre botanic garden with over 7,000 species of plants.

For ocean lovers, head over Camps Bay, which boasts fine white sand and impressive views of the Twelve Apostles mountains. Or take a ride down the iconic Chapman’s Peak Drive to the beaches of Simon’s Town… but be warned, you must share the beach with hundreds of adorable penguins! If you want to extend the journey, continue on to the Cape of Good Hope to marvel at spectacular ocean views on the most south-western point of the African continent.

Travel opportunities await inland as well. You can explore the iconic wineries nestled in the mountain ranges around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Constantia is also a great option for enjoying fine wines and tasty food with a little dose of history—their dessert wine was famous in the 19th century and made its way into the works of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

Or, if you are yet to have an African safari experience, take a trip to the Aquila Game Reserve for the chance to see the Big Five.

Cape Town is chocked full of travel opportunities. Be sure to walk off the gangway with a plan to make the most of your time in this amazing South African city.