About Cape Town

South Africa’s Most Popular Tourist Destination

South Africa is often described as a World in One Country, and Cape Town is your introduction to the wealth of experiences available in this beautiful country.

Keep reading for all the basics you need to know when planning your visit to the Mother City.

South Africa’s Oldest City

Cape Town has the distinction of being South Africa’s oldest city, dating back to 1652 when the Dutch East India Company claimed this area as a refreshment station for its ships sailing on the Spice Route.

Along with their wives and children, the Dutch settlers brought with them slaves captured during their travels, which led to the formation of a unique and fascinating population group in the city.

In 1781, a large French contingent arrived to help the Dutch defend the city against British marauders, adding fine culinary traditions and wine-making skills to Cape Town’s attractions.

In the early 1900s, the British took control of Cape Town, adding yet another cultural layer to the city, and in 1910, South Africa gained independence from Britain, establishing Cape Town as its legislative capital.

Power struggles among the citizens of South Africa continued up until 1994 when the country underwent a peaceful resolution culminating in one of the world’s freest democracies.

Thanks to its multicultural history, Cape Town remains an exceptionally diverse and interesting city to this day.

Delving Deeper into Cape Town Culture

You can enjoy the evidence of colonial Cape Town when you visit one of the many historic sites in and around the city, namely:

• The Castle of Good Hope
• Robben Island
• Bo-Kaap Museum
• District Six Museum
• Slave Lodge

The city is also home to a wealth of other museums, art galleries, theatres and designer boutiques. It’s a hotspot for creative types and a highly desired film location for international producers, too.

Things to Do in Cape Town

Cape Town’s award-winning chefs are well represented at restaurants both in the city, the suburbs, and the surrounding winelands but you’ll also find fabulous street food, as well as all your regular favorite food franchises in the city.

Between eating and cultural activities, be sure to leave time to explore the scores of other enjoyments available on your Cape Town trip.

The most famous ones include:

• Table Mountain
• Cape Point
• The V&A Waterfront
• The Two Oceans Aquarium
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
• Stunning white beaches
• Quaint fishing villages
• Wine farms and the Wine Tram

You’ll also find a wealth of activities on offer including shark cage diving, wildlife safaris, rock climbing, mountain biking, scooter tours and trips, horse riding, wreck diving, hiking, and more.

On top of all that, the city regularly hosts top music artists, theatre groups, and sports events. Be sure to check what’s on offer before you arrive.

Accommodation in Cape Town

From five-star establishments serving high-end meals to affordable backpacker options, Cape Town has accommodation to suit your every need.

You’ll find guest houses, self-catering apartments and houses, as well as bed and breakfast accommodation close to all the action, as well as campgrounds near the city.

Getting Around During Your Cape Town Trip

Cape Town International Airport is your portal to this world of enchantment, activity, and enlightenment as well as top South African destinations further north. As Africa’s third busiest airport, it welcomes over twenty-one million passengers every year.

Despite these high volumes, it’s a highly efficient and welcoming introduction to Africa.

In 2021, Cape Town International Airport received the Skytrax World Airport Award for Best Airport in Africa and was also recognized for having the Best Airport Staff in Africa.

From there, you can catch a shuttle bus, taxi, or Uber into the city, or hire a car for your future explorations.

Once you arrive at your accommodation, the city offers good public transport options in the form of buses and taxis. Trains based at the Cape Town Railway Station serve the surrounding areas although these are not the preferred form of transport.

You’ll find no shortage of tour buses and hop-on-hop-off offerings available from focal points in the city, too.

Put Cape Town at the Top of Your Bucket List

While this guide serves as a great starting point for your Cape Town trip, there’s no doubt you need a lot more information to make the most of this leading African destination.

Browse our travel guide for inspiration or get in touch with one of our travel experts for some pointers on making the most of Cape Town.

Disclaimer
Please Note: The details shared herein were correct at the time of publishing. However, with time some of this information may change. We recommend confirming information with suppliers prior to making final travel arrangements. If you do happen to find an issue with any information we’ve shared here, please feel free to contact us so that we can make the relevant changes.