If natural landscapes, unique architecture, exotic wines, pristine beaches, and wild aquatic life is your thing, Cape Town should be part of your bucket list.
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Where is Cape Town?
This beautiful South African spot, also known as the country’s mother city, is located at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula. North of the Cape of Good Hope. It is also the legislative capital of the country and the oldest city in South Africa.
So if you want to experience a true African holiday, pack your bags and let us show you the most beautiful places in Cape Town. You will be left spellbound.
10 Beautiful Places in Cape Town to Visit
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch botanical gardens are one of the most beautiful places in CapeTown. It is situated at Claremont 7735, Cape Town.
Nature lovers can bask in the splendor nature has to offer in Kirstenbosch. It has amazing flora and a variety of endangered animals.
The botanical gardens are huge they cover 528 hectares of land and are perfect for picnicking and walking.
It’s usually open from 8 am to 7 pm and has wheelchair-friendly areas, which makes it ideal for disabled individuals.
No wonder Kirstenbosch is internationally acclaimed as one of the seven most magnificent botanical gardens in the world.
Signal Hill
If you love sightseeing and being in nature, go over to Signal Hill. Signal Hill can be found at Western Cape in Cape Town.
You can drive up the hill or walk up the trail that has been maintained with beautiful shrubs and flowers. The choice is yours. When you get to the top of the hill, you will be greeted with stunning views of the city.
If you are more adventurous, try out paragliding on Signal Hill.
However, if you want to be blown away, visit there during sunset. The views are truly breathtaking. Take some nice pictures here.
Don’t forget to wear something warm. Cape Town is windy, and it can get cold up there. You can also take the Sunset bus to Signal Hill for a memorable experience.
Clifton Beaches
If you love powdery sand beaches, turquoise waters, and beach activities, go to Clifton Beaches. It is made up of four beaches that cater to the tastes of everyone, ranging from singles to families.
It’s accessible because it is situated ten minutes from the city center. You can surf, play volleyball, and sunbathe on these beaches.
They also have amazing views and good restaurants that serve great food. Eat there if you get hungry. It is also great for fire jamming in the summer month. Visit these beaches and you won’t be disappointed.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is another stunning landmark in Cape Town. It stands at 1,085 meters above sea level and is a place of spiritual significance for indigenous people like the Khoi and San people.
It has beautiful fauna, flora, breathtaking views, and trails that make it a trekker’s paradise.
You can get there by cable car or by walking. This mountain is one of the most popular tourist locations in South Africa and with good reason. It offers camping sites, trekking trails, paragliding, rock climbing, and more.
It is also home to many endangered species like the rock hyrax and the Table Mountain Ghost frog. Also, explore the numerous caves that are on the mountain. No wonder it was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2014.
Lion’s Head
Lion’s Head is another good place in Cape Town that is worth exploring. It is in Western Cape, Cape Town and it stands at 2,195 ft above sea level.
The views from Lion’s Head are breathtaking and if you want to test your fitness abilities, engage in rock climbing there. It’s tough but worth it though. It also features well-maintained trails suitable for walking.
It has windy but beautiful scenery so don’t forget to dress suitably. The best time to trek up Lion’s Head is on nights with a full moon (with headlamps) and at sunrise.
It’s also the only place on earth to have s cluster of stars named after it.
This cluster is called Mensa which means table in Latin.
Entry into Lion’s Head is free and open year-round, which is good.
We recommend this popular experience HERE.
Vergelegen Estate
If you are a wine lover, you are going to love Vergelegen Estate. It is a wine estate that is located on Lourensgord Road, Somerset West, Cape Town.
This wine estate has been in business since the 1700s and stands on 106.71 hectares of land. It’s a beautiful place surrounded by rugged mountains. It also has a restaurant that serves delicious food, manicured gardens filled with exotic flowers like camellias, and roses to stroll in, cellar tours, etc.
I forgot to mention that Vergelegen Estate produces some of the best wines in South Africa, so don’t miss out on wine tasting during your visit.
You can also check out the museum on the premises to get a history of the place or wander along the Lodren River.
Chapman’s Peak
If you want to see great views, go for a drive to Chapman’s Peak. It is can be found between Noordhoek and Hout Bay in Cape Town.
Chapman’s Peak opened in 1922 and has one of the most beautiful roads you will ever see. You can drive or cycle through its 7-8 km roads and appreciate its stunning scenery.
Also, bring a picnic basket and relax among the sixty picnic tables on the 9-kilometer drive to Chapman’s Peak. The picnic tables have a view of the sea and mountains with stunning scenes and sunsets.
Other activities to do in on Chapman’s Peak are whale and dolphin watching, taking pictures, etc. The entry fee is low, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
This 7,000-acre national reserve is another fascinating place worth visiting. It’s near Gordon’s pay and Kleinmond, Cape Town.
Kogelberg Nature reserve can boost 1600 plant species and has more floral diversity than anywhere else in the world.
The reserve is full of things to do and see. Walk along the valleys and waterfalls of the Steenbras river gorge.
If you like solitude, stroll along its lush green bushes and pass the night at the reserve’s overnight cabins. This is a must-see for every outdoor person.
Cape Of Good Hope
Love biking contests and yacht races? Head over to Cape Of Good Hope. This rocky headland is on Cape Point road. Cape of Good Hope has a fascinating history and is the subject of numerous myths and legends.
The popular legend of the Flying Dutchman originated here. People have claimed to have seen this ghost ship on foggy days and stormy nights.
If spooky stories are not your thing, there are many activities to engage in here. Trek on the 21-mile Cape of Good Hope trail, enjoy a swim on its sandy beaches, and cycle around the area.
There are also animals to see, like zebras, hartebeests, and antelopes. Other places to visit are the museum and the lighthouse, which were built in the 17th century to protect sailors from being shipwrecked.
Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is the most popular place in South Africa. It is famous for its multi-colored houses. You can find it at 71 Whale Street, Schotsche Kloff.
This multicultural area has the highest concentration of Muslims in the country and dates back to the 1700s.
It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.
You can visits restaurants in the area for a taste of Asian food or take a cooking class given by women in the local community. They offer cooking lessons in their homes as a way to promote Malay cuisine and history.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
Capetown has four seasons like most European countries, but the seasons are reversed. Summertime in Cape Town starts from December to February. This is the time when tourists from all over the world come to Cape Town.
Book your accommodation several months in advance to ensure you get a place to stay. This time, especially in January, it is hot and sunny.
This is the best time to go windsurfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Many summer activities also occur during that time. If you are not a fan of crowds, visit Cape Town between March and April because most tourists will have left.
This is also the best time to visit Cape Town if you are on a budget because the prices of accommodation are usually lower at this time.
Guest Post By Esther from Esther Labelle
