Overview

Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most popular and varied cities, where modern waterfront shopping centres mix with the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap and amazing natural landmarks. Just off the coast is Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was famously held for 18 years. Cape Town is often used as a starting point for exploring the beautiful Garden Route, which runs along the length of South Africa’s southern coastline.

Things to Do

Table Mountain is the defining landmark of Cape Town, and first stop on your holiday! Take the cable car up to the top and take in the stunning views of Signal Hill and the city below. The Victoria & Albert Waterfront is a busy leisure complex with shopping centres, cinema and restaurants, and on the edge of Cape Town is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, a huge green space that’s great for escaping the city noise.

Nightlife

Whether you want a drink, a dance or a live music show, Long Street is the place to be! On a Friday and Saturday night, you’ll be welcomed by crowds of locals, students and backpackers filling the bars, hanging out on balconies and spilling out into the street. If you want a more relaxing evening, the V&A Waterfront has laidback bars looking out over the ocean, where you can relax with a cocktail in hand.

Day Trips

If you have time to get out of the city, there are so many amazing places to visit around Cape Town. Take a short drive east and you’ll find yourself in the Cape Winelands, where you can enjoy a tour and tasting session at one (or several!) of the wineries. Boulders Beach, near the south tip of the Cape Peninsula, is a popular tourist stop due to the colony of penguins that live there.