The starting point for your South African adventure is Cape Town
Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful and livable cities in South Africa. It has a warm, dry Mediterranean climate, similar to that of Greece, with stunning natural landscapes and a sparkling city that stretches back and forth.
Company’s Garden,
a European-style historical park
Cape Town Scavenger Hunt: Rounding The Cape!
A historical park in the heart of Cape Town. It was the first place where Europeans settled in Cape Town in the 17th century and began growing crops, and is now home to the City Hall, museums, and an observatory.
Companion Gardens is named after the Dutch East India Company, which first established the park, and in his honor, there are statues of key figures who led the Dutch East India Company in the park. Due to its proximity to the University of Cape Town, the park has a fairly youthful vibe, with everything from musicians performing to students lounging on the grass and sunbathing on sunny days. There are no tall buildings in the park, making it one of the best places in town to get a panoramic view of Table Mountain, and it’s not uncommon to see tourists snapping photos of the colonial architecture and Table Mountain in the background.
Signal Hill,
the city’s nightlife hotspot
Signal Hill Romantic Sunset Tour in Cape Town
This is one of Cape Town’s best nighttime vantage points, perched on a hillside facing Table Mountain. You can take in the entire city, including Table Mountain, and there are beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean on the other side. It’s best to get a table at least an hour before sunset, as the best spots are already filled with people by then. You’ll see groups organizing dinner parties to coincide with the sunset, and couples sitting on the grass enjoying a glass of wine while watching the sunset turn red.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Constantia Wine Tasting Tour
The world’s largest wildlife botanical garden is located on the eastern side of Table Mountain. It opened in 1913 and is ranked among the top seven botanical gardens in the world, with beautiful landscapes and a wide variety of plants. Only plants native to South Africa are planted to preserve the ecosystem, so you can see a wide variety of plants that only grow in South Africa and Africa, such as the baobab tree, which can be found in the African desert, and the South African national flower, the protea. In addition to the vast array of plants, there are a number of themed areas and walkways, including the Tree Canopy Walkway with its panoramic views of the back of Table Mountain, the Fynbos Trail with its jungle of native South African plants, and the Protea Garden with its spectacular array of proteas.
Greenmarket Square,
a 365-day flea market
Street Art, Markets & Stars Walking Tour
A public square in the center of downtown’s Berg Street. The square is centered around a large clock tower, which houses a flea market with a variety of shops. The square was built in 1696 with the clock tower and was a slave market where slaves were traded in the 18th century, and later used as a protest site for human rights activists against racism throughout its turbulent history. Wander around the market and you’ll find a wide variety of goods from all over Africa. Wooden masks made by artisans from Kenya, traditional dolls from Botswana, and beaded accessories from the Zulu people are all surprisingly high quality, so it’s worth shopping for souvenirs.
Pastel Town,
Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap: Walk with a local
Cape Town’s Malaysian neighborhood is home to pretty houses painted in colorful pastel shades. It was formed in the 18th century, when the Dutch ruled South Africa and the East India Company forcibly brought Malaysians to live here.
Along with the indigenous Africans, they were severely discriminated against and persecuted by the whites because they were colored, but after the end of apartheid, they began to paint their houses with colorful paint to express their newfound freedom, transforming the area into the colorful township it is today.
Today, it’s recognized as one of the city’s main attractions and is protected by the city government. Strolling through the colorful houses will make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale, but don’t forget to check out the Bokap Museum and the mosque.
Table Mountain,
a Cape Town landmark
Table Mountain Adventurous Hike & Cable Car Down
The city’s landmark mountain is visible from everywhere in Cape Town. It’s not far from the city center and its height makes it seem like you can climb it at any time, but it’s not as easy as it seems. It’s very weather dependent, so the cable car often doesn’t run when it’s windy or cloudy. If you’re traveling to Cape Town and it’s at least a little bit sunny, it’s a smart idea to head up Table Mountain first. The cable car makes an unusual 360˚ turn as it ascends, so there’s no need to rush to get a window seat. There’s a path along the edge of the summit, so you can enjoy the trek with views of Cape Town below.
